Pitt Sailing ClubLearn to Sail

Lesson 1

ICSA 218 schools

nationwide MAISA

43 schools We’re the newest

team! Also the first team in

Western PA

College Sailing

From the Sun How?

Preparation

Sun Preparation

From cold/wet weather How!? What is hypothermia and why is it a big

deal?

Preparation

Cold/Wet Weather Preparation

Boat and water safety How!?!?!!?

Prepare

No EXCEPTIONS!

AT ALL TIMES WHEN ON OUR BOATS!

No, I don’t care how stupid you think you look.

Why should you wear one anyway?

Wear your Lifejacket!

Fall overboard Capsize Insulation from cold Will keep your head

above water when you’re unconscious (USCG-approved)

Make sure it fits! PSC provides for you

PFD usage

Hull Bow Stern Cockpit Rudder/Tiller/Tiller extension Centerboard/daggerboard (and trunk)

Know your Boat

Mast/Boom Sail anatomy Standing Rigging Running Rigging

Know your Boat!

Mast – big upright metal spar

Boom – horizontal metal spar that hits your head

Shrouds – metal cables holding mast up on sides

Forestay – cable/line holding mast forward

Spreaders – provide support to shrouds

Mast/Boom/Standing Rigging

Mainsheet – control angle of mainsail

Jibsheet – control angle of jib sail

Halyards – raise/lower sails

Boom Vang – prevents boom from rising

Outhaul – stretches foot (bottom) of sail

Cunningham – stretches luff of sail

Running Rigging

Head – top of sail Luff – front edge of

sail Food – bottom of sail Tack – corner of luff

and foot Leech – back edge of

sail Clew – corner of

leech and foot Battens – provide

rigidity of sail

Sail Anatomy

Port – Left when facing forward Starboard – Right when facing forward “Stars are always right.” Ahead – forward Astern/Aft – behind Midships – midline Abeam – beyond middle of boat at 90° angle

Directional Terms!

Windward – side from which the wind blows Leeward (loo-ward) – opposite, downwind

side

Port Tack – wind coming over port side of boat

Starboard Tack – wind coming over starboard side of boat!

More directions

Which side is windward in this diagram? Leeward? What tack is this boat on?

Directions

Watch clouds for weather changes Know forecast Know wind direction

(generally/predominantly)

Weather/Wind Awareness

How can you tell where the wind is coming from?

Wind Direction

Smokestacks/Chimneys

Flags Trees Telltales! Feel it on your face

(not always reliable)

Water ripples/dark patches

Boats at anchor

Wind Direction?

MERICA!

Current/Tides…..not our problem yo!

Wootwoot lake sailing!

Water movement

Term for directly perpendicular to boat?

Quiz!

ABEAM!

Quiz

Right side when facing forward?

qUiz!

STARBOARD!

qUiz

What is a shroud and what does it do??

quIz!

Metal cable holding the mast on the sides Prevents the mast from falling

sideways….pretty damn important

quIz

What part of the sail does the OUTHAUL control??

quiZ!

The FOOT! Outhaul….pulls the sail…..OUT!

quiZ

What does the BOOM VANG do? And where is it attached on the boat (2 spots)?

Quiz

Prevents boom from rising! Mast step and forward boom

Quiz

What is the trailing (back side) edge of the sail called?

QUIZ

LEECH!

Not the gross bloodsucker.

QUIZ

When should you have a PFD on?

Quiz

Whenever you’re on a boat or near the water!

Or, if you’re a freshman, probably a few times on campus during the semester too

Quiz

What do the three blue lines on our burgee mean? What even is a burgee? Why is Vinny obsessed with it?

Quiz

The three rivers! Designates a Sailing/Yacht Club, or fleet,

traditionally Because this club is my baby.

Quiz

Big tall dark clouds are moving toward you….what is probably going to happen and what should you probably do?

Quiz….last one

Thunderstorm or big low pressure system bringing rain and wind. Should probably go in and get off the water/ away from the big metal lightning pole (mast)

Or stay out and sail if you’re a crazy mofo like Vinny….

Quiz

??????? ?????

Questions?