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WEST COAST SAILING


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Mooring buoys
Lassoing a buoy under sail. (No tide)

Lassoing a buoy under sail on
      the leeward side can lead to a
      dangerous gybe if the approach is
      too fast.

Lassoing a buoy under sail on the
      windward side is safer if the
      approach is too fast.

Picking up a buoy under sail with wind
      and tide together. Start sufficiently uptide
      to allow for drift. Find a mark beyond, and
      in transit with, a point (x) one boat length
      downtide of pick-up buoy. Spill and fill to
      stay on the transit line before rounding up
      with both mooring and pick-up buoys on
      the same (windward) side.

Picking up a buoy under sail with wind
      against tide. Approach uptide under jib,
      reducing sail or spilling wind to control
      speed as necessary. Keep both mooring
      and pick-up buoys on the same side.

Dockside
Use of a stern spring to leave the
      dock bows first. (No current)

Use of a bow spring to leave the
      dock stern first. (No current)

Man overboard (MOB) The 'best' strategy depends on the point of sail and which techniques have been practised. Just a few of many options are shown:
Crash stop and immediate return to sail
      close by the MOB to deliver buoyancy.
      This is the first stage in several MOB
      recovery strategies. End posn. is 'X'.

      Note 1.   In very light airs, or with yachts
      that heave-to at slow speed, MOB recovery       may be possible on returning to the MOB.
      Note 2.   The mainsheet should be tight
      and cleated during/after the tack for safety
      in the event of a subsequent gybe.
      Note 3.   Delay tacking until about 2 boat
      lengths from the MOB to reduce the
      risk of a gybe in steering back to the MOB.
(From X) Motor downwind to allow
      a controlled upwind approach to MOB.

(From X) If long floating line attached
      to buoyancy ~ gybe immediately
     paying out line. Drop / furl sails when
     head to wind. Pull MOB alongside.

Crash stop and use engine (reverse
      and forward as necessary) to
      control beam-on drift to MOB whilst
      hove-to.

Arrow indicates wind.
Wiggly arrow indicates current, if any.


All animations © copyright T A Whittingham