Skip to main content

Main Sheet Trick No. 1 for Tacking

One problem that I faced when sailing was that when tacking, my main sheet would get tangled on my leg/foot, and as a result I am unable to pull in the main sheet after I complete my tack.

So, this came up on my feed, and I thought it was good to deposit here.

This is the proposed solution that I will try out:
  1. Temporarily hold main sheet with tiller hand while the "sheet-hand" loosely holds the rope
  2. With the "sheet-hand", stretch out approximately 6 feet of excess main sheet by raising up the hand way above one's head, and then depositing the excess main sheet on one's knee/thigh, clear of one's feet
  3. Revert to normal hands position ("sheet-hand" firmly on main sheet and tiller hand on tiller)
  4. Pull the sheet in, close-haul and prepare for tack
  5. Tack
    1. Pull hand up after heading on the new tack and before switching hands
    2. Switch hands and sheet in for close-haul sail trim



In another video, the person demonstrated that in the event that the main sheet gets tangled on one's legs, it is okay to let go of the sheet from one's hand and concentrate on finishing the tack first, while holding the main sheet in position with one's feet. After completing the tack (with the tiller centred and then switching hands), can one then bend over to pick up the main sheet and work on disentangling it from one's legs. I realised this was what I had been doing, except for the "holding on with one's feet/legs" part. I think perhaps this is one area which I can improve my smoothness and speed too - retrieving the sheet after completing the tack. I realised that I would have problems keeping the rudder tiller centred while moving my hands about in managing the sheet though, so I'm not quite sure how to settle that. Probably will be a discussion for another time.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brainstorming: Detachable Action Camera Dinghy Mounting Locations and Techniques

Was just brainstorming potential locations on a sailing dinghy to mount an action camera and here are a list of possible solutions I have come up with and will try out soon. Possible Detachable Action Camera Dinghy Mounting Locations and Techniques 1. Boom Mount via Wrist Mount around Boom Backup Security: Floating wrist strap attached to camera and looped through boom. 2. Bow Mount via Handlebar Mount around Bow Eyelet Backup Security: Securing tether attached to camera and looped through bow eyelet 3. Tiller Mount via Handlebar Mount around Tiller Backup Security: Securing tether attached to camera and tied/hitched to tiller 4. Stern Mount via Suction Cup Mount on Stern Deck Backup Security: Securing tether attached to camera and tied to rudder attachment point If necessary, possible to use helmet extension linkage bar to add distance. POV Mounting Head strap Backup Security: Tether head strap to life vest via tethering line looped through head strap and life vest strap. Chest mounti...
Post a Comment
Read more

The "Today QiYun Learnt" Digest: Introduction

The "Today QiYun Learnt" Digest  An Introduction I am starting this miniature Digest to collect the miscellaneous bits and pieces of information which my curiosity has bade me to investigate. I shall start recording these pieces of information from the point of time of writing this post. For some posts that cover a similar topic, I will group them together in " Series ". Important Disclaimer:  Since I am starting this digest as a side hobby/project to consolidate and record down the pieces of information that I have found out, they will necessarily not be overly detailed, nor will I be as meticulous as I normally would be, in investigating the sources of the information. I will, of course, try to ensure that the information that I reflect here, be reliable. But as I am merely writing a small informal Digest or blog, and not a research paper, I will be less meticulous in selecting and citing my sources, and the scope and depth of my research will necessarily be limit...
Post a Comment
Read more

TQL: Flag Disposal

Today I learnt that disposing of a Singapore flag is permitted, but it has to be concealed and not prominently visible in the rubbish bin etc. So for instance, it has to be sealed properly in a black trash bag. This makes sense too, as it looks quite disrespectful to see a national flag sticking out of a rubbish bin. That's all for today.  Source:  https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what-we-do/our-work/community-engagement/education/resources/national-symbols/national-flag#:~:text=Any%20worn%20out%20or%20damaged,bag%20before%20being%20disposed%20of.
Post a Comment
Read more