Sailing keel boats... thank you FHYC!

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For our last two sailing exercises, as the weather gets more risky, we have a small fleet of very nice keel boats thanks to some members of Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club (more below).

Sailing large, heavy boats is a different skill, but all the basics we've learned still apply. We still need to know the Points of Sail, the running rigging which controls the sails, and how to tack or gybe. We also need to remember everything we've learned about on-water safety!

 Here is Russ & Barb Robinson's Rampant Lion, a 37-foot Tartan keel boat... it also has a centerboard! At the moment Barb is skippering while the students learn about WINCHES.

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Weather conditions were not good, it was cold and drizzly. But there was wind, and that's what we really need! Each big keel boat was manned by 2 or 3 students and all of them had a chance to work as skipper and crew on these vessels.

 Among the differences between the NJROTC small boats (Lasers and Javelins) and these big boats... they are much heavier, the sails are much bigger; and the forces, strains, or loads, on the sails and rigging are require far more strength than just the muscles of sailors. We use winches to magnify or amplify strength so we can handle these big sails, and like any other powerful equipment, winches take training to handle capably and safely.

Here is Peter B's "Wicked Good" a Catalina 28 with a diesel engine for auxiliary propulsion. 

Do we learn about engines in this class? Not really -BUT- to be capable sailors we need to know a few things about how to properly handle boats using engines instead of sails.

For example, we know to not let lines or ropes just trail in the water. It makes a mess and can cause problems. A dock line or a stray sheet or halyard on these boats can wrap around the propellor, causing major damage and serious injury.


These bigger boats require deeper water, so we not only need to learn how to steer & control them using engine power, but also how to navigate them keeping to deeper water. The cadets were introduced to the old saying "Red Right Returning" to keep in mind where the deeper water, the channel, is!



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Here is Ed & Evelyn Thompson's cruising machine "Dutch Wind."






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More Sailing Practice

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How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!

Well in our case, that's how you pass the Basic Sailing qualification. Aside from that, it's fun to sail and it's enjoyable to learn new things and to gain skill and confidence.

At this point, our students have learned quite a lot, they demonstrate their ability to accomplish most of the goals of the Basic Sailing class, but there are a lot (many many!) details to remember and so they need a lot of reminders and more practice.

As always, we begin by rigging up our boats. Student working with Coach Clay is checking the ropes that pulls the sail UP (what do we call this, again?) 




Last week we learned to STOP the boat (link) and keep it under control, and practiced everything else we've learned up to this point. We attempted the first Baby Duck drill but it most resembled a disorganized gaggle of stray birds. This week, we did another Baby Duck drill which went better and we also completed another beginners' drill.

One of the keys to this class... as with many many other endeavors... is remember what we've learned before. You can't simply forget Ropes & Knots, or Terminology, just because we're getting ready to practice our final sailing drills!

 You can also see here that the weather is a bit cooler. Still we have had very good luck to have many sailing days in a row, and get in a lot of practice. About half the class has been very successful, and is rigging up efficiently and with confidence.

 So now that the students are actually out there, going sailing FOR REAL, what do we need to do to pass this class?


1- Rigging and terminology- this includes all the funny "boat words," names for parts of the boat, knowing how to tie the 4 assigned knots AND where/when to tie them, standing rigging, running rigging... basically, everything we have to do when we get off the bus and get ready to GO sailing.

2- Basic sailing skills (yes there are advanced sailing skills we can work on later)- sailing the boat on any Point of Sail, maneuvering the boat from any Point Of Sail to any other including Tacking and Gybing, sailing to any given destination and then bringing the boat to a Stop at a given point (such as the dock!). This includes know and doing the crew jobs, the skipper jobs, trimming or easing the sails properly, and holding the boat in balance while sailing.

3- Operating safely in & around boats- This starts at the very beginning, and goes all thru the class. Every sailing student must constantly be aware of, and avoid, the many hazards; the final part of the class is when we learn the Navigation Rules (also called "Rules Of The Road" despite being about boats)(link) and how to operate our boats safely in the context of other boats and the marine environment.


At this point, we've got about 90% of requirement 1, about 75% of requirement 2, and about 25% of the final requirement 3.


What we need to improve- basic habits of sailing the boat, we need to remember to hold the boat in balance by sitting where we should, handle the sheets and the tiller the way we should, and this will in turn make it much easier to make good tacks (our tacks are noticably better!) and good gybes.



If you look closely, you can see the coach boat at left with the "L" flag for Baby Duck drill. You can also see how the boats are strung out over a wide area, although the closest one is practicing slowing to a stop.




There are several other drills (link) we should be able to perform as well as Baby Ducks.


This falls under class requirement #2 above, where the student shows the ability to sail the boat to any given goal and do the maneuvers while keeping the boat under control.



At this point, most of this is falling into place but we need to work on "Stop" and also Gybe, and start putting the Right-Of-Way rules into our sailing practice.



You can see why we need to know the Right-Of-Way rules. There were still a few mild collisions today, and often when the boats got close together there was a tendency for them to scatter randomly. This is not the way traffic is supposed to keep flowing!






The students need to be able to do all this as both skipper and as crew, so we need to change places within the boat.
















Here is Coach Earl Hampton in his Coach Kayak. This is a great way to keep close to the students underway, both to be able to keep a close eye and to offer helpful advice.








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Here's two of our better sailors, they rigged up their correctly and efficiently (although thy did not hoist their mainsail fully... look at the top of their mast), so they get the honor of sailing out first! Can you tell what Point Of Sail they are on, to get out from between the dock and the rock wall? 

Some helpful advice: their sails are trimmed well, the boat is in balance, the skipper is holding the hiking stick correctly. Once they are underway safely, the crew should stow the bow line securely so it cannot trail in the water under the boat.


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Another student sailing with Coach Dave Pettipas as crew. Here they are on a Close Reach (compare the position of the boom relative to the transom, with the photo above), soon after a successful TACK. Unfortunately this boat, which was recently donated, does not have a hiking stick (it will soon!).

You can see in these to sailing photos, the Javelins bustle right along in a fairly mild wind! This is a big part of the fun!













And finally, we have to pull the boats out of the water and trailer them back to school.


















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We practice STOPPING (and other stuff)... nice wind!

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So, last week there was not much wind. Most of what we practiced was patience, and getting the boat moving in light breeze.

This week, the plan was to carry out our first sailing drill... "Baby Ducks" which is just follow-the-leader on the water. The goal is simply to carry out whatever maneuvers the Mama Duck (motorboat driven by Coach Hittner) leads into. This gives the coaches control and the ability to observe and make helpful suggestions.

We already covered all the Points Of Sail, Tacking, and Stopping. We can practice these playing Baby Ducks.

Coach Thompson helping two cadets figure out the tangle of running rigging.... which halyard is which? 

Before the bus arrives, the coaches have trailered the boats to Lawson Creek, raised the masts, and launched the boats. The first thing the students have to do rig the boats!


What's the very very first thing to do when stepping onto one of our small boats?


This is one of the problems of learning to sail... even a simple thing like getting onto a boat is complicated and may be actually dangerous. But we cannot teach every single tiny detail, it would take forever! So the coaches guide the students thru each evolution, emphasizing safe practices, and making sure the terminology and the actions are clear.

Answer: the very first action after boarding one of our small boats is to lower the centerboard.



The fun part is LEARNING by DOING!

Hoisting the mainsail... you can see that this is not entirely simple or easy. In this photo you can see Coach Hampstead in his kayak.

Our boats are "sloops" which means they are rigged with one mast, and two sails. Generally the main halyard is on the starboard side of the mainmast, but on a new or unfamiliar boat, one must always double (or triple!) check.


What precautions must be taken, when handling a halyard?


We're getting quicker at rigging up the boats... bending on, and hoisting the sails. This is good because it gives us more sailing time!

Answer: When either end of a halyard is loose (ie not fastened to either the sail or a cleat) it must be held securely and not let loose to fly up & out of reach.


When getting underway, the skipper must observe the wind direction, pick the best course away from the dock, and plan how to get the boat onto the correct Point Of Sail. The crew may cast off, or the skipper may do this himself so the crew can mind other obstacles and handle the jib sheet and balance the boat.


In our case, the coaches cast off and give the sailors a nice push-off from the dock.

What does the crew do immediately after casting off from the dock?

Hint: you can see the rope in question in this photo

These sailors have just gotten clear of the dock, have tacked, and are sailing out toward the coach boat (Mama Duck) to begin proving their skill


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At this point in the class, we have studied and practiced TACKING (but we need more practice) and we hope to learn the skill of STOPPING... needless to say, sailboats do not have brakes!

Answer: after casting off, the crew must stow the bow line (the rope that held the boat to the dock, and remains fastened to the bow) securely. If it trails in the water under the boat, it can get caught on the centerboard or the rudder, and cause major problems.

For better practice, we have some buoys to sail around. Steering a steady course toward either buoy is not the easiest thing in the world, especially as the boat heels.

Although given instructions to always TACK, some students decided it was more important to sail around the buoys, making it a 50/50 chance they might TACK or go the other way and GYBE.


We have not studied GYBING yet and the cadets did poorly. However, the wind was relatively kind and no heads got knocked off.

Here is a "Baby Duck" being done poorly. Yes there was a collision, in fact there were a couple of them. So this drill was NOT a passing grade!



This is an excellent beginner sailing exercise. We practiced STOPPING and the cadets learned well.




Among things learned... the crew must keep a good lookout, and make sure the skipper knows about other boats (or any other obstacle) near by. The skipper must think ahead and keep good control of his vessel!



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Here is an example of a better "Baby Duck" drill. We still have some boats not quite getting the hang of it. At this point, we have practiced two stops (which resulted in boats sailing right past the coach boat, and other boats getting stuck in irons) and two tacks, but the sailors got back in line.

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Well, the practice in stopping was not totally a wash out. When the time came to sail back to the dock, we had NO crashes! This is a big success, for first-time skippers!




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So overall, it was a very good sailing session.

Yes there some mistakes, but that is part of how we learn.

We also had a lot of fun and a good time on the water, one of the benefits of living here in New Bern!



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... posted by Sailing Coach Douglas King


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Light Wind, Sailing Practice

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Cloudy, cool temps, light winds... not the ideal day for sailing practice, but it could be worse. And it's the day we have. So we make the best of it.



At this point in the class, we are half-way thru the time available. Because the weather is turning less favorable, the goal should be to complete sailing exercises as soon as reasonably possible!




This means the cadets who are ready will sail on their own, no coaches riding along with them. If this sounds like a big step, it is. However, we have had classes do very well with less sailing time... and do so in the tipper, more complex FJs!



The summer Sail Academy is held in Lasers, which are very responsive (good for learning fast) but also very tippy; and these students -never- sail with a coach aboard, riding with them. We have the luxury of taking it slow & easy with the Javelins, and this allows us to push for a higher level of achievement in sailing skill.

Coach Dave Pettipas and his students getting underway, just as the wind starts to die.

So, what level of achievement are we, currently? We should be able to rig the boats, hoists sails. This means knowing all the terminology and the knots. We should be able to sail the boat on any point of sail, and turn the boat from one point of sail to another.... this includes adjusting (trimming or easing) the sails' sheets.

Our first three on-line lessons: Terminology (Boat Parts) 1, then we need Directions (on a boat), and then Terminology 2 (the rig)... this should help



We should able to TACK (lesson on tacking) reliably.




The Points of Sail and TACKING depend on the skill of determining wind direction. Not much to that, we have yarn tell-tales and nearby flags and smoke stacks, plus the undignified but reliable method of licking your finger and holding it up.


Sure we need more pratice at this, and we will get it. Because there are a few more things we need to do, to successfully complete this course!


Todays lesson was supposed to be on STOPPING under sail.
Boats do not have brakes!

In light wind, it's more difficult to make the boat go and keep it under control. Here is Coach Ed Thompson's students doing a good job. The sails are full, the boat is moving, although not very fast.

In these photos today, you can see how our sails got satained by slimey flooding in last year's Hurricane Florence. These sails have been professionally cleaned and are safe to handle but they don't look as nice as they did before New Bern's disastrous hurricane last year.


Ok let's keep going on the class: we did get good practice tacking, and at least some practice in both avoiding obstacles and in stopping.
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Here's two boats avoiding a collision.

Both the skipper and crew have a job to do, in successfully keeping their boat from crashing into stuff!



When a boat is moving slowly, it is actually more difficult to steer. The rudder generates less turning force, and all maneuvers take more time.



Therefor, thinking ahead is vital, even though the action seems slow paced!



For example, in this picture, the skipper here has just successfully avoided another boat going past quite close. Even at slow speed, collisions can cause damage and also embarrassment.


The maneuver of avoiding this collision started several minutes before this photo was taken.








Success in the sailing class today! We got more practice in all the terminology, ropes & knots, and handling the boats in close quarters, nearby docks, obstacles, and other boats.
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Now it's time to go back to the dock and start unrigging. We must put everything away.

On the way back to the dock, it should be easy to tell what Point Of Sail this boat is on.









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 Approaching the dock, this student (blue striped sail) could have steered a bit further away from the dock to allow himself room to complete a turn & stop. Also, by this point, the crew should have the bow line ready and be prepared to fend off and then step onto the dock taking the boat's bow line and securing it.









 With the usual sense of humor, our wind today starting picking up again as we returned to the dock.


What else do we need to complete the sailing class? Well, we have a number of exercises and drills for the students to demonstrate their ability, and we need to cover Right-Of-Way. So there is still plenty of study to do!
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Still more work to do! Unrigging the boats and putting everything away, squared away.

The boats must be trailered back to the high school each lesson. This, as well as ongoing work on the boats themselves, keeps our coaches busy!






... posted by Douglas King




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Underway! we go sailing, 4 real

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After what seems like endless drudge work reassembling our remaining boats from the damage of last year's Hurricane Florence, and commissioning our two newly donated Javelins, we WENT SAILING today!




 Here's our sailing coaches, doing what they've been doing since early August... working on our fleet... however THIS time we are at Lawson Creek Park on the Trent River, and setting up the masts prior to launching the boats.

Now we're going to have some fun!
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The coaches had the masts and standing rigging set up for the students. When the cadets arrived, we had a short review, then they rigged and hoisted the sails.



CLUE: what is the difference between the rigging that holds the mast up, and the rigging that makes the sails work?




Coach Hampstead's boat sailing along!

Can you see the dangerous obstacle in the water? Sailors must always be alert!






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The "we're sailing" equivalent of a selfie.

 CLUE: can you tell from the position of the boom, what point of sail the boat must be on?





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Here is Coach Pettipas' boat underway, the wind is light but you can see by the wake that the boat is moving along. The student skipper is steering with the tiller extension (hiking stick) properly, but the student holding the main sheet has the sail pulled in much too tight for the wind direction / point of sail, and is not using the ratchet block. Jib looks good!






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Two of our fleet sailing. We actually had a a couple of times the students were close and trying to pass each other. Perhaps we will race our fleet in the future.



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Student steering with the hiking stick but sitting MUCH too far aft. Come on, we reviewed this before getting underway!

We will probably review this again, too. The boat sails better when the weight in it is balanced properly. By "sails better" of course we mean faster but it is also easier to keep under control.






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 If you have any questions about any of the CLUES asked so far, check in with our Sailing Lessons (link)








Coach Hampstead's boat again, sailing along smartly. Nothing to "review" here other than complimenting the students!










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Unrigging at the end of the day. We all remember one of the precautions in handling HALYARDS, right? Next we get the mainsail unrigged from the boom, take the sails to a nice lawn, and roll them up neatly.

If we keep everything squared away, we will be able to do a lot more sailing.


The goals of the students in this class are to be able to sail their boats without being accompanied by a coach.



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Another big step forward would be to gain enough skill to sail one of our Lasers! They are the 'sports cars' of our sailing fleet.








... posted by NJROTC Sail Coach Douglas King

Hurricane Dorian!

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Well, it's that time of year again... how many hurricanes have we been through with this program? However this time the boats are put away as safe as can be!



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This photo from yesterday afternoon shows all our fleet carefully stowed inside, on the air rifle range.

photo curtesy LCDR Ron Fry

... posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King


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Getting Ready For Sailing Class, Fall 2019

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Sailing Lessons Table Of Contents

Hope you are all getting ready for the fall sailing class! You all have probably seen our fleet parked by the grinder. You probably have not noticed the repairs and upgrades being done by the sailing coach staff, but it's happening.

Schedule- 1st class, Sept 9: New Bern High School, land lesson (boats on trailers) ends 1600 (4pm)
Monday, Sept 16: On-water session, tentative location Lawson Creek Park, ends 1700 (5pm)
Monday, Sept 23: On-water session, ends 1700 (5pm)
Monday, Sept 30: On-water session, ends 1700 (5pm)
Monday, Oct 7: On-water session, ends 1700 (5pm)
Sat~Sun Oct 12~13: MumFest Sailing Demo 0900~1500 (weather permitting)
Monday, Oct 21: On-water session, ends 1700 (5pm)
Monday, Oct 28: On-water session, ends 1700 (5pm)
Monday, Nov 4: On-water session, ends 1630 (4:30pm)
Monday, Nov 18: On-water if weather permits, ends 1630 (4:30pm)
Monday, Nov 25: On-water **, ends 1630 (4:30pm)
Monday, Dec 2: On-water **, ends 1630 (4:30pm)
Monday, Dec 9: On-water **, ends 1630 (4:30pm)

This might seem like a lot, but the sailing class entails both work and study, and it cannot be completed in fewer. All on-water class sessions will be dependent on weather.

This fall, we expect to sail our Oday Javelin sloops out of Lawson Creek Park (big THANK YOU! to the City Of New Bern).

Please note the MumFest Sailing Demo, we may sail either or both days depending how many qualified sailors want to participate. This is an excellent opportunity to practice your skills and also wow the crowd!

Later in the semester, we will have the opportunity to once again sail with Fairfield Harbour keelboats. This is reserved for students who are on track to complete the sailing qualification, and advanced sailing students who have already passed Basic Sailing.

Okay, all sailors..... Ready About!

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Sailing Today!!! Big boats R cool !!!

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So, we are almost finished with the semester. Hopefully we can get one more sailing session, depending on the weather of course.

We have a number of beginners who are -almost- qualified Basic Sailors. To qualify, a cadet must know terminology including basic parts of the boat, all rigging, directions, commands and responses for evolutions, and some general terms. They must be able to rig and unrig the boat without help, or even hints, from a coach. They must be able to sail the boat on all points of sail, carry out all maneuvers including tacking, stopping, and gybing. They must know the right-of-way rules. They must be able to unrig the boat and put all sails & gear away properly. They must undertand and follow safe practices.



They learn most of this from their fellow cadets who have gone on to seek ratings as advanced sailors.



Sailing the big keelboats complicates this. For one thing, we can't expect the cadets to handle engines. And the procedures with roller-furling and winches and depth-sounders are quite different than our small FJs and Javelins; and they never have to carry out a Capsize Drill.

But the basics of sailing do not change, whatever size the vessel.



A big THANK YOU to 'Dutch Wind,' to 'Rampant Lion,' and to 'Allegro' !!!

......  posted by Assistant Sailing Coach Douglas King



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