Communication

Question 1

What is the command for turning the bow of the boat into the wind, or towards the opposite side of the boat the sails on?

Answer 1

“Head up”, this is typically called out when sailing into the wind and a minor adjustment at the helm can gain sailing speed without adjusting the sails.

Question 2

What is the command for turning the bow of the boat away from the wind, or towards the same side the sails are on?

Answer 2

“Fall off”, falling off can be called out when sailing into the wind, on a close haul, the boom is in-line with the center of the boat and a minor adjustment can correct the losing of power and refill the sails by catching the wind.

Question 3

Zig-zagging left and right into the wind, or tacking into the wind is the safest way to sail. Before a tack is performed how does the helmsman announce the need to turn?

Answer 3

“Prepare to come about”

Question 4

When tacking, the helmsman will usually require a crew member to adjust the jib sail, how does the helmsman inform the crew to manage the jib sheets?

Answer 4

By announcing the boat is “coming about” and simultaneously turning the rudders to push the bow into the wind.

Question 5

A potentially dangerous turn is a jibe. The helmsman will turn the rudders so the bow will fall off the wind until the mainsail catches wind on the backside of the sail swinging the boom across the cockpit. After announcing the crew to be prepared, what is the command for notify the turn is now occurring?

Answer 5

“Jibe ho!”, and watch your head as the boom could suddenly, and violently swing over head as it moves to the other side of the boat.