Weather Helm/Tacking

One thing that we all had a tendency to do when learning to sail cats is to let the rudders centre as you change hands on the tiller and even as you cross the boat. Very easy to do but it is essential you keep the rudders over until you are well through the wind.

You are right that your boat may sail off without you if well balanced! Remeber to hold onto the sheet if you fall off!

Edited by Shadowman

Hello Everyone,

Went sailing today and tacked wothout any problems. The first time we did it I was just plain surprised.

Printed off Worthys instructions and worked a treat. Wind was about F4.

I think the "trick" is firstly not to rush over to the other side and as Shadowman mentioned, be sure you don't accidentally centre the rudders when moving across or throwing the tiller to the other side.

Thanks for all your help, thats tacking sorted, just the rest to go now!!!!!!!!!!

Good to hear you've craked it and the point about keeping the rudders over whilst swapping sides is key but I bet you are also letting the main out more too - I've found that very important in a Hobbie 16.

So I would say

make sure you've got good speed and are close hauled

push the helm away with steady pressure but not so strongly as to act as a break

keep the pressure on the rudders as you cross

let the main off a lot but keep the jib cleated

wait untill the boat is well beyond "head-to-wind" and release the jib

get the jib sheeted on the new tack but keep bearing away untill speed begins to build then sheet in the main

head up to the close hauled course

There's no hurry these boats take their time.