The Basics of Sailing The Spellbound
Welcome aboard the Spellbound! This guide is designed to help you learn the fundamentals of sailing and familiarize you with the specific systems and techniques used on this capable vessel. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some sailing experience, understanding these key concepts will ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the water as you embark on your journey with the Spellbound.
Throughout your sailing experience on the Spellbound, always prioritize safety. The open water can be unpredictable, and it's essential to maintain a safe environment for everyone on board. By following proper safety protocols and familiarizing yourself with the boat's safety equipment, you can help ensure a secure and enjoyable sailing experience.
Sails and Terms:
There are two primary sails aboard the Spellbound: The jib located in the front of the mast and the main located behind the mast. The main is attached to a boom which rotates about the mast. It can be adjusted via the mainsheet which is located near one of the control winches mounted on the front port side of the cockpit. The jib is attached to the front of the boat and can be adjusted via the large winches mounted on either side of the cockpit. The side of the boat from which the jib is adjusted will depend on the direction of the wind relative to the boat.
When on a boat all directions are in terms of the boat not your person. Front, back, left and right are fine terms but the areas of the boat are known as: the bow(front), stern(back) Port(left) and Starboard(right), amidships(center). It is essential for everyone on board to understand what you are saying even if they can’t directly see you.
When sailing the boat may lean to the side. This is known as heeling and is a normal part of sailing. When heeling the boat is generally more stabile and will be less effected by the motion of the waves. However you will have to watch your footing and always try to keep at least 3 points of contact. This is a critical safety area. When in high wind scenarios life jackets with safety leashes will be worn and the leashed will be attached to a hard point at all times.
Line Handling and Winch Etiquette:
(Picture or gif of winch)
Proper line handling and winch etiquette are essential for safe and efficient sailing. When working with lines, always be aware of the load they are under. Highly loaded lines can cause injury if not handled properly. When using a winch to trim a line, start by putting a few wraps around the winch drum. The number of wraps depends on the load on the line – more load will require more wraps. Always take at least 2 wraps. The winches on the spellbound are equipped with autotailors. Once you have taken at least 2 wraps, put the line in the autotailor before inserting the winch handle.
The Spellbound features two kind of winches. Large jib and spinnaker trim winches and smaller halyard and control line winches. Both winches are equipped with a low speed and high speed depending on which way you turn the winch handle. Pick and speed and only turn in one direction. Do not crank the winch back and forth as this will destroy the pawls.
The lines for the smaller halyard and control line winches all feature clutch mechanisms for securing the lines after they have been adjusted by the winch. Ensure that they are in the fully open or fully closed position before proceeding. When closed the line can be pulled in but the clutch will keep the line from running out.
When easing a line under load, first, take the load off the winch by slowly unwrapping the line while maintaining control of the tail. Be cautious when removing wraps, as the line may suddenly release and run out quickly. For lines that are controlled by clutches. Ensure the line is adequately wrapped around a winch before opening the clutch.
Good line stowage is crucial for maintaining a safe and tidy deck. After using a line, coil it using the figure 8 pattern and stow it in its designated place. Avoid leaving loose lines on the deck, as they can create tripping hazards and may become tangled when needed.
Remember, clear communication and coordination among the crew are key to safe and successful line handling and winch use. Ask to practice these skills in calm conditions if unsure.
The Wind/Points of Sail
The wind is identified by it’s direction (where it’s coming from) and velocity. Generally once a breeze establishes itself as the wind for the day the direction and speed will remain pretty consistent. After sunset a different breeze may develop and become the night wind. An example of a breeze might be: an Easterly breeze at 10-15kts. Once we’re sure that is the breeze that will prevail throughout the day we can select a good course and sails.
The direction of the wind relative to the boat's heading determines the point of sail, which is the angle between the boat's centerline and the wind direction. There are several points of sail, each requiring different sail trim and boat handling techniques.
Close Hauled (We will generally try to avoid this): This is when the boat is sailing as close to the wind as possible, typically at a 45-degree angle. The sails are trimmed in tightly, and the boat is heeled over. The boat will battle the waves and we will make only okay speed.
Close Reach (Good Angle): The wind is coming from in front of us but not enough that we need to be close hauled with tightly trimmed sails. The boat will move through the waves well.
Beam Reach (Good Angle): The wind and waves are perpendicular to the boat’s centerline. The boat will not be affected by the waves as much provided there is enough wind to keep the boat heeled.
Broad Reach (Very Good): The wind is coming from behind the beam, at an angle of around 135 degrees relative to the boat's heading. The sails are eased out to catch more wind. The Spinnaker may be deployed depending on the wind. We may also take a reef or two on the main for better balance.
Running (Not Good): The wind is coming directly from behind the boat. The sails are let out nearly all the way, and the boat can be steered downwind using the mainsail or a spinnaker. The boat will not be heeled over and thus waves will have a large effect on the steering and crew comfort. The boat may rock back and forth and the autopilot will likely not work well.
Dead Downwind (Avoid unless doing sail changes): This is similar to running, but the wind is coming exactly from behind, making it challenging to maintain course and keep the sails filled. The autopilot will not work and manual steering through the waves will be required. Additionally the main will completely cover the jib or spinnaker so keeping it full will be impossible. This is useful when lowering or raising the spinnaker.
Rudder and Steering:
The rudder is a vertical control surface attached to the stern(back) of the boat, used for steering. It works by deflecting water flow as the boat moves forward, creating a turning force. However, it's important to note that the rudder is only effective when the boat is moving through the water. When the boat is stationary or moving very slowly, the rudder will have little to no effect on the boat's direction.
Balance:
A sailboat's balance is largely determined by the position of its keel, a large, heavy fin attached to the bottom of the hull. The keel provides a counterbalancing force to the wind's force on the sails. When imagining the boat from a birds eye view the boat also rotates clockwise and counterclockwise around the keel, and the position of the sails relative to the keel affects the balance and direction of the boat. When the force of the wind is concentrated in front of the keel, the boat will tend to turn away from the wind (known as “heading down”, "bearing away" or "falling off"). Conversely, when the wind force is concentrated aft of (behind) the keel, the boat will tend to turn towards the wind (known as "heading up"). To help maintain balance, sailors can ease the mainsail when heading downwind and trim it in when heading upwind. In situations where you need to head up quickly, you can ease the jib to help the boat turn into the wind. This may be very important during times of limited maneuverability.
Sail Trim:
Sail trim refers to adjusting the angle of the sails relative to the wind to optimize performance. The goal is to have the wind flowing smoothly over both sides of the sail, which creates lift and propels the boat forward (more on this in the advanced post coming soon). One key indicator of proper sail trim is the tell-tales, small pieces of yarn attached to the sails. When the tell-tales on both sides of the sail are streaming aft (toward the back of the boat), the sail is trimmed correctly. If the tell-tales are not flowing smoothly or are pointing in different directions, the sail needs to be adjusted. The outer tell-tale fluttering indicates the sail should be let out. The inner tell-tale fluttering indicates the sail needs to be pulled in. Also note there are tell-tells at different heights. If the top ones are behaving differently from the lower ones the shape of the sail may need to be changed. However, this may also be a good thing in heavy wind.
Luffing:
Luffing occurs when the sail is not trimmed properly and the leading edge (the luff) of the sail flutters or ripples. This indicates that the sail is not generating lift efficiently and the boat will slow down or stall. To correct luffing, pull the sail in or steer the boat slightly away from the wind until the luff becomes smooth and the tell-tales flow evenly. Note: Luffing on the top of the sails may be desirable when slightly overpowered by the wind.
Levers:
The mast acts as a lever, with a point roughly between the bottom of the mast and top of the keel serving as the fulcrum. The wind's force is magnified by the height of the sail, affecting the balance and power of the boat. Taller sails provide more leverage, which can be advantageous in light winds but may overpower the boat in strong winds. We can adjust this lever effect by reefing (reducing sail area), flattening the sails using control lines, or changing the angle from which the sails are trimmed. This can be done using the jib leads and the main traveler and vang. While this may be a more advanced topic at first. The essence of sailing is about achieving balance with the forces of the wind, waves and sea. Adjusting these sails to best achieve this is essential to a safe and efficient trip.
Conclusion:
This should give you some basics to get started as a crew aboard the Spellbound. Remember there are always new things to learn. Sailing is as much an art as it is a science.
