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Boat Handling...

Who would you rather be in the picture below? It's all about boathandling competence, and that comes from practice, and knowing the best way to do things. The practice is down to you, but our articles and interviews with top sailors can certainly help you learn how to do things the right way. The better you can handle your boat in all wind and sea conditions, the more you can focus on the other stuff that matters - the strategy, the tactics, the winning!


12-foot skiffs - one charging, one capsized...


Featured Articles

  Train Hard, Fight Easy: The Medal Maker Method ***
Victor KovalenkoVictor Kovalenko is a hard man to please, but Australia’s 470 coach sure does get results. And the great thing is, to follow the ‘Medal Maker’s approach, you don’t need to spend a penny. But you do need to practise...
  Reduce your reliance on the rudder **
The Rudder is your friend, but don't abuse the friendship. Only call on the Rudder as much as you need to, and get acquainted with your other friends Boat Heel and Sail Trim. Do this, and the Rudder will thank you for it. The more you can use other factors to steer the boat, the less drag you'll apply to the Rudder, and the faster you'll go...
  High-speed skiff gybing with Trevor Baylis ***
International 14 gybing in windy stuffGybing technique is one of the toughest and most critical elements of skiff sailing, but Trevor Baylis (world champion in 14s, 18s and 505) has some ideas that will help make heavy-air gybing a whole lot safer. "Whatever type of skiff you’re gybing, I’m a firm believer that the helm should be last person in and first person out. My thinking on this is that, like in mountain biking, it’s better to be completely out of control for a tenth of a second than vaguely out of control for 10 seconds. So if the helmsman can minimise his time through the boat, the safer you’ll be...."
  Five reasons to gybe-hoist **
49ers gybe-set at the OlympicsGybe-hoisting is a tricky manoeuvre to get right, but there can be great tactical reasons for giving it a go. Here are FIVE of the biggest reasons to consider going for this challenging but potentially rewarding move on the race course....
  Which way to face through a tack? **
470 tackingWhich way should the crew face through a tack - forwards or backwards? Does it really matter that much? How a happy accident led to winning the 470 World Championship...
  Slow-speed boat handling **
Laser SB3s at the Hamble Winter SeriesGreat sailors know how to sail their boats really quick, but they also know how to sail really slowwwly too. Sometimes you've got to give some away, to get a lot back later down the track. Here's how you do it....
  Trouble keeping the nose out? **
Getting a high performance skiff like a 49er or 18-foot skiff downwind in big breeze and steep waves is one of the greatest challenges you’ll face, as anyone who watched the 49er Medal Race in the Qingdao Olympics will remember. Here are some of the techniques needed to help overcome this problem...
  Slow-speed boat control **
Ever seen those cycle couriers hold their bikes upright, even when they're stopped waiting for the lights to change? It takes great bike-handling to do that. And as Jon Emmett points out, it takes great boat-handling to sail slowly too. How is it the best sailors can sail faster than the rest of us, and sail slower than the rest of us too? It's a skill worth emulating...
  Video: 470 Men at Hyeres **
470 startThe 470 fleet competes at Hyeres in light and challenging conditions. Some useful tacking and mark-rounding footage here...
  Tacking the Laser SB3 - tips from the World Champion ***
Laser SB3Laser SB3 World Champion Geoff Carveth and top RYA coach Mark Rushall held a boathandling clinic for Laser SB3 sportsboat sailors in the Hamble. Mark, Geoff and his bow girl Emma Clarke shared tons of useful tips for sailing the Laser SB3 fast and effectively. Here are their tips for tacking, and there is much to learn for any sportsboat sailor...
 
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