How do I become a better sailor

[Lakesailor]

I prefer to sail off my mooring. However a new mooring nearby reduces my room for error. I usually start the engine and have it running in neutral when I leave the mooring. We have no current so the boat will yaw about the wind with sails up. You need to choose your moment to slip the mooring to get away on the right tack. Other boats are a bit close to rely on backing the jib to turn you onto the right tack.
Returning is much easier as you can always engineer a luff up to the mooring........unless you miss it of course.

Just picked up the mooring here

 

[chrisedwards]

If he has moved the mooring to the stern, in the tide-bound anchorage described, then he will now be head to wind. That's why he did it.

Pete

So you are now going to hoist your mainsail and foresail - enough for full control - while head to the wind and current rode (because you are moored by the stern remember).

This can only work in the narrowest of circumstances - the wind effect on your hoisted/hoisting sails pushes your boat round and disaster - thats what happens to me every time! What sort of boats do you sail? (I have a long keeler with a deep forefoot)- Yup - they must have a grip on the water and little sail area. It would work with a fishing boat with a steadying sail aft or do you operate in very strong tides perhaps.

Yup - I'm really interested in how you pull this one off - I would love to learn the trick.

regards

 

[robertj]

It worries me slightly that entering or leaving moorings and anchorages under sail is often seen as a rather odd thing to do. My policy has always been to do it all under sail if at all possible - if there is one time I don't ever want to be dependent on an engine it's doing close-quarters stuff.

I was b----cked by a person when I rounded up to pick up my mooring under sail 'No sailing in the moorings!!!'
this skill seems to me is left to the racers nowadays

 

[Ubergeekian]

I was b----cked by a person when I rounded up to pick up my mooring under sail 'No sailing in the moorings!!!'

Just means he can't do it.

 

[robertj]

I do find anchoring under sail causes some trepidation too.
My tactic now is to put every one at ease in the anchrage by saying in a firm not shouting voice ' let's hope we don't hit anyone tonight'

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Just picked up the mooring here

When I did my YM prep course the skipper had us picking up moorings / anchoring / coming alongside and leaving pontoons under sail alone all week. Memory is not good any longer but I'm sure the recommended approach to a mooring was mainsail alone to avoid the problem that you look to have on the piccie of the jib still drawing and the boat over shooting.

On the other hand he might have said jib only but one thing for sure it was one sail only. Apologies if I'm giving unwanted advice.

It was fascinating to see other skippers faces as we approached pontoons and moorings under sail alone.

 

[Ubergeekian]

I do find anchoring under sail causes some trepidation too.
My tactic now is to put every one at ease in the anchrage by saying in a firm not shouting voice ' let's hope we don't hit anyone tonight'

"Have the engine ready in case we hit someone and have to make a quick get away" always builds confidence and friendships as well.

Years ago I sailed the Jouster (no reasonable offer refused) for a bit with no engine at all. I took her into Puilladobhran under sail when it was rather full, and had to beat, past about 25 anchored boats, to get to a suitable spot. Single handed. It was great - as I made my way along, more and more people stuck their heads out to look at me, and since it was short tacking the heads were swivelling like those of Wimbledon spectators. The fear was entertainingly palpable too - "He's sailing ... and he's on ... his ... own! Aaaaaargh."

 

[Athene V30]

...recommended approach to a mooring was mainsail alone to avoid the problem that you look to have on the piccie of the jib still drawing and the boat over shooting.

On the other hand he might have said jib only but one thing for sure it was one sail only. Apologies if I'm giving unwanted advice.

It was fascinating to see other skippers faces as we approached pontoons and moorings under sail alone.

RYA teaching is main alone if wind forward of beam and jib alone if wind aft of beam. However in light airs may need both to have enough speed to counter current (if any) or maintain steerage way!

Jib is easy to depower - just let it fly. I guess in the pic the conditions are fairly light so the jib isn't drawing just the sheet is free and not enough breeze to blow it out ahead of boat.

 

[chrisedwards]

"Have the engine ready in case we hit someone and have to make a quick get away" always builds confidence and friendships as well.

Years ago I sailed the Jouster (no reasonable offer refused) for a bit with no engine at all. I took her into Puilladobhran under sail when it was rather full, and had to beat, past about 25 anchored boats, to get to a suitable spot. Single handed. It was great - as I made my way along, more and more people stuck their heads out to look at me, and since it was short tacking the heads were swivelling like those of Wimbledon spectators. The fear was entertainingly palpable too - "He's sailing ... and he's on ... his ... own! Aaaaaargh."

With your experience I would really appreciate a response to my post 122 - it was a request based on a point you introduced earlier.

 

[KellysEye]

The best anchoring I've seen was a beautiful old gaffer in the Bahamas. He was singlehanded (except for a small dog on deck) and reached in with main and small jib. He chose a spot and sauntered forward and kicked an anchor overboard...err, croswind. Then he waited about ten seconds with boat still reaching and kicked a second anchor overboard, then he let go the jib and sauntered back to drop the main. It wasn't just what he did but the laid back and casual way he did it. Very impressive.

 

[KellysEye]

>the rest is all boat prep and provisioning.

I wouldn't say an Atlantic crossing is just that. Not when a 50 knot squall comes though on a pitch black night (you can't see it coming) and you've got the mizzen and full twin headsails up.