Launching

How you start from the shore depends on the direction that the wind is coming from relative to the shore.

Before you head out, make sure that you are in deep enough water so that the centerboard is about ½ way down, and the rudder is fully down.

Launching with the breeze coming straight off the water

An onshore breeze can be a bit tricky for newbie sailors, especially if there are obstacles on either side of the launching area (such as rock walls or jetties). It may require you to do a few quick tacks to get out into clear water.

With the mainsheet eased and the boat pointing into the wind, move alongside the boat, and push the nose so that the wind is now coming over the side of the boat that you are standing on (angle the boat so that it is about 30° from the wind).

Then quickly jump on board, place your backside on the side of the hull and your feet in the center near the hiking straps, grab the tiller in your back hand, and the main sheet in your front hand.

While aiming the tiller straight, pull on the sail a little so that it catches some breeze, and you should start moving forward.

Launching with the breeze coming straight off the land

If you are faced with an offshore breeze, this is the hardest direction of wind direction to launch from.

With the mainsheet eased and the boat pointing into the wind, move alongside the boat, and push the nose so that the wind is now coming over the side of the boat that you are standing on (angle the boat so that it is 90° from the wind).

If the wind is favoring 1 direction (ie. If the breeze is coming off the land a little more one way than the other, and you have enough room), then point your boat in that direction.

Then, as above, quickly jump on board, place your backside on the side of the hull and your feet in the center near the hiking straps, grab the tiller in your back hand, and the main sheet in your front hand.

While aiming the tiller straight, pull on the sail a little so that it catches some breeze, and you should start moving forward. Make sure the boat doesn’t come up into the breeze, as you will run aground.

However, be careful not to pull away too quickly, otherwise, you may capsize.

Launching with the breeze coming parallel to the shoreline

This is the easiest direction to launch from.

With the boat pointing into the wind, move alongside the boat that the shore is on, and push the nose so that the wind is now pointing out into open water. Then quickly jump on board, grabbing the tiller in your back hand, and the main sheet in your front hand.

While aiming the tiller straight, pull on the sail a little so that it catches some breeze, and you should start moving forward.

For your 1st sail, you might find it best to have a few runs out and back, just to build up your confidence and to get the feel of the boat. Try and steer in a relatively straight direction, with the wind coming from 90° to the boat.

If a bit of a gust comes along, try and keep the boat flat by leaning out, hiking your backside closer to the side of the boat, putting your feet under the hiking straps so that you can lean out further. If you struggle to keep the boat flat, let off some of the mainsheet, which will de-power the sail and keep the boat balanced.

If there is a lull in the breeze, you may need to move your weight inboard so that the boat doesn’t roll over on top of you.

Keep a watchful eye over your shoulder every few seconds, watching for discolorations on the water, so that you know in advance what the wind is doing and you can allow for it and respond more quickly.