Practice Makes Perfect

These sailing techniques can help your crew improve substantially, whether you practice alone or with another boat.

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I sailed back to the dock ­after a good practice session and listened as a seasoned racing sailor asked the teams preparing for the evening session, “Why are the good sailors the ones who always practice?”  

All I could do was smile. Practice helps you improve at any sport. Listen to the postgame interviews of players on a winning team, and they will often credit their practice time for the team’s success. Practice can be fun and help get an entire crew motivated.  

I find that short-time-frame practices are the most effective. A practice session can be scheduled for an afternoon or for an hour before a longer sail. The goal is to help everyone understand boathandling functions, the use of equipment, and the procedures if the wind increases or if there is an accident. Practicing will make it easier to address problems that do occur, or simply help a crew sail a little more efficiently.

The first step is to schedule a specific time for a practice session. The next step is to make a list of things you would like to achieve. A word of caution: Do not exceed your scheduled time limit. Crews get grumpy when practices run overtime.  

I clearly recall a vigorous practice day some years ago on a grand prix racing yacht. Our crew had been on the water for six hours, and we were glad to be heading back to the harbor. Just as we were getting the dock lines out, the skipper announced, “Let’s show how tough we are and head back out.” By the time we finally returned to the dock, it was dark, and we still had a long list of items to repair. That unfortunate event never happened again. A valuable lesson was learned. 

A better idea is to stick to the plan. Before leaving the dock or mooring, brief the crew on the location of important equipment. Make sure everyone is involved in preparing the sails, sheets and lines. After heading out, take a few moments to review the plan. Assign each crewmember a task. 

Practice sessions can be ­organized with just one boat, with another boat or with a fleet. I suggest practicing near a buoy or channel marker that can be used as a reference point. If you use the marker as a turning mark, then the crew needs to be prepared for the maneuver by time you arrive at it. 

You might start by making a series of six tacks about one minute apart. Ask someone other than the helmsperson to specify exactly where the boat will be heading after the tack.

Then, make a series of six jibes. Again, ask one person to point to a specific point of land or object that the boat will be heading for after the jibe.

After the exercise, take a few minutes to talk about how it went. Discuss ideas for how to do it a little better.

Repeat the exercise with the crew switching positions. Everyone will get an appreciation for one another’s jobs.

If the boat has a spinnaker, set it and practice jibing.

One of my favorite exercises is to stop the boat dead in the water and then work to accelerate back to full speed. Backing the headsail for a few seconds will help turn the boat onto your desired course.

Try to sail the boat in reverse by holding the boom out while backing the headsail. Keep a good grip on the wheel or tiller so that the boat doesn’t make a sudden turn.

Since my earliest sailing days, I have practiced using two buoys spaced several ­boatlengths apart. I sail figure eights around the two buoys. In one rotation, you will tack, jibe, head up and bear off. The drill has been a big benefit to me.

If an approaching powerboat is making big waves, then use the opportunity to learn how to minimize pounding in the chop. What is the best course to steer to avoid stressing the rig? If you bear away from the wind, be sure to ease the sails. Sailboats increase speed if you bear only when the sails are eased. (And don’t shake your fist at an offending power vessel. My standard response is to ignore it.)

Ask crewmembers to read the wind. Let them recognize the puffs and light patches on the water. Get everyone involved. It’s great fun.

An important exercise is to reef the mainsail. You can do this in any weather condition. If the wind builds, it’s important for the crew to know how to shorten sail.

When I am around other boats, I try to maximize my speed. I believe that it’s human nature to want to sail faster than other boats, and I believe that a boat should always be sailed to its potential. At full speed, a boat is more comfortable and morale goes up. This is why it’s good to practice with another boat that performs similarly. You do not need to race, but simply sail alongside to gauge speed. Make one adjustment at a time to see if you can improve your boat’s speed. Experiment with sail trim, crew weight position, steering angle, or playing the sails in puffs and light patches of wind.  

You will quickly learn how to sail better when you compare your performance with another boat’s. Agree in advance what drills you plan to practice. At the end of the session, compare notes. The goal is for everyone to improve. 

When practicing in pairs, you can start by sailing upwind for a specific period. Spacing should be about three ­boatlengths apart, with both boats sailing with clear wind. If one boat gets ahead, stop the exercise and start again. Speed tests should last 10 minutes or about 1 mile. Two or three speed tests are usually adequate to judge your performance.

Repeat the exercise when sailing on a reach or downwind. Both boats need to have clear wind for the drill to be helpful.

Sail in opposite tacks or jibes for five minutes and then head back toward each other’s boat. This will help you understand which side of the body of water has more wind. Switch sides, and repeat the drill by sailing on the opposite side of the body of water to confirm which side is better. The goal is to find an area with more wind.

In as little as one hour’s time, you can hold an effective practice session. When you finish, the whole crew will be more confident and relaxed while sailing.

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