Tack in a Dinghy
A tack is the basic turn in a dinghy, where the helmsman (not gender specific) turns the boat around by first turning directly into the wind, then further in the same direction until the desired course is met.
Contents
Steps
- If you are sailing with a crew, ask your crew if they are ready to tack. If they are, respond with "tacking" when you are ready to tack.
- Push the tiller away from you and put one foot across the dinghy. Crouch while you are doing this. Face forwards, not back when moving across (this assumes you are in a centre main sheet dinghy as most modern dinghies are - in an aft main sheet dinghy you should face backwards)
- Still crouching, step over to the other side of the boat. As you turn through the wind, the boom will switch sides, so you need to duck as you step to the other side of the boat.
- When you get to the direction you want, straighten up the tiller, sit down, and when comfortable, swap the main sheet and tiller around in your hands.
Tips
- Get in the habit of giving commands (i.e. Ready about, Lee-oh), even when you are alone. It makes it much easier to remember when others are with you. You don't want to make any major course corrections that affect the rigging without letting everyone aboard know what you are about to do. In most dinghies tacking or jibing creates a great deal of movement. Besides, you always want your passengers on the windward side to help level the boat. Your passengers should also know what they are expected to do before you maneuver the boat.
Warnings
- Make sure you duck and crouch, otherwise the boom will hit you in the side of the head and possibly knock you out of the boat, or at least give you a bad headache!
- Wear your life jacket.
