This document outlines standard procedures and commands for sailing maneuvers including raising and setting sails, tacking, gybing, reefing, heaving to, crew overboard recovery, anchoring, and weighing anchor. The procedures describe the coordinated actions between the helm (person steering) and crew for each maneuver. Commands are given by the helm and responses from the crew indicate when preparations are complete and the maneuver can be initiated.
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0 ratings0% found this document useful (0 votes)
1K views
Sailing Commands
This document outlines standard procedures and commands for sailing maneuvers including raising and setting sails, tacking, gybing, reefing, heaving to, crew overboard recovery, anchoring, and weighing anchor. The procedures describe the coordinated actions between the helm (person steering) and crew for each maneuver. Commands are given by the helm and responses from the crew indicate when preparations are complete and the maneuver can be initiated.
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3
Action Commands & Procedure
HELM: Ready to Unfurl the Foresail
CREW: Ready (prepares furling line) HELM: Unfurl the Foresail UNFURL THE FORESAIL CREW: Foresail unfurled HELM: Set Foresail to….POS CREW: Foresails set to….POS
HELM: "Ready to Raise the Mainsail"
CREW: "Closes hatch cover,releases boom vang,eases mainsheet, tensions the topping lift. Prepares the halyard. Prepares foresail sheet on winch. CREW: "Ready" RAISE THE MAINSAIL HELM: Turns directly into wind HELM: "Raise the Mainsail" CREW: "Mainsail Raised" HELM: "Set Mainsail to….POS" CREW: "Mainsail set to….POS"
HELM: "Heading Up/Bearing Away to a Close Haul"
CREW 1: "Foresail set to a Close Haul" CREW 2: "Mainsail set to a Close Haul" HELM: "Steady at a Close Haul"
HELM: "Heading Up/Bearing Away to a Close Reachl"
CREW 1: "Foresail set to a Close Reach" CREW 2: "Mainsail set to a Close Reach" HELM: "Steady at a Close Reach" POINTS OF SAIL HELM: "Heading Up/Bearing Away to a Beam Reachl" CREW 1: "Foresail set to a Beam Reach" CREW 2: "Mainsail set to a Beam Reach" HELM: "Steady at a Beam Reach"
HELM: "Heading Up/Bearing Away to a Broad Reach"
CREW 1: "Foresail set to a Broad Reach" CREW 2: "Mainsail set to a Broad Reach" HELM: "Steady at a Broad Reach"
Helm: "Prepare to Tack" or "Get Ready to Come About"
Crew: "Ready" Crew prepares sheets to release foresail to move to other side of vessel TACKING Helm: "Ready About" on wheel ("Helms A Lee" on tiller) (head through wind) Helm: Makes a 90degree turn through the wind Crew: Waits for wind to switch sides then releases foresail and hardens sheet on other side Crew: "Foresail set to Close Haul" Helm: "Prepare to Gybe" Helm: "Gybe the Foresail" Crew Gybes the foresail to other side of vessel Crew: "Foresail Gybed' GYBING Helm: "Prepare to Gybe the Mainsail" (wind from astern) Crew: Mainsheet is harded to center the boom (controlled movement) Crew: "Ready" Helm: "Jibe Ho" Crew: Brings mainsail to other side Helm: Makes slight adjustment with stern through the wind
Helm: Sails close hauled: prefer port tack
Helm: "Prepare to Heave To" Crew: "Ready" (do not move foresail. Stand by to release main sail) HEAVE TO Helm: "Heaving To" (performs Tack to move wind to other side…to Beam Reach) (take a break) Crew: Eases mainsheet Helm: Turns wheel all the way to Windward and locks Crew: When boat loses way, harden mainsheet to close haul
Reef with boat on starboard tack or Hove To
HELM: "Ready to Reef the Mainsail"
CREW: "Closes hatch cover,releases boom vang,eases mainsheet, tensions the topping lift. REEFING CREW: "Ready" (THRRHT) HELM: "Reef the Mainsail" CREW: Eases halyard until luff cringle can be placed on hook. Re-tensions the halyard.Tensions the leech reef line. Adjusts topping lift. Hardens mainsheet. Tensions the boomvang. Ties sailcloth with reefing points.
HELM: "Pepare to Shake out the Reef"
CREW: Closes hatch cover,releases boom vang,eases mainsheet, tensions the topping lift" SHAKING OUT THE CREW: "Ready" REEF HELM: ""Shake out the Reef" CREW: Eases halyard until luff cringle can be removed from hook. Re-tensions the halyard. Releases the leech reef line. Adjusts topping lift. Hardens mainsheet. Unties reefing points. Tensions the boomvang.
HELM: Ready to Furl the Foresail
LOWER THE CREW: Ready (prepares furling line) FORESAIL HELM: Furl the Foresail CREW: Foresail Secured HELM: Ready to Lower the Mainsail CREW: "Closes hatch cover,releases boom vang,eases mainsheet, tensions the topping lift. Prepares the halyard LOWER THE MAINSAIL CREW: "Ready" HELM: Turns directly into wind HELM: "Lower the Mainsail" CREW: Mainsail secured"
CREW: 'Crew Overboard'
Spotter: Throws MOB pole and points at COB HELM: Puts boat to Beam Reach (same tack) HELM: "Ease/Harden Sheets for Beam Reach" CREW: Sets sails at Beam, counts off 7 boat lengths COB HELM: "Ready About. Harden Sheets. Helm's A-Lee" (Reach/Tack/Reach CREW: Hardens Sheets and Tacks Foresail Method) HELM: "Bearing Away, Ease sheets for Broad Reach" HELM steers for COB, leaving them on windward side HELM: Heading up to Close Reach CREW adjusts sails for Close Reach HELM: Cast off sheets CREW casts off sheets and prepares to assist COB
HELM: Ready to Lower the Anchor
CREW: Goes forward and readies anchor CREW: "Ready" HELM: Turns into wind HELM: "Lower the anchor" ANCHORING CREW: Lowers anchor in controlled manner until it reaches the bottom CREW: "Anchor on bottom" HELM: Puts engine in reverse slowly CREW: Pays out scope until the boat stops backward movement CREW: "RODE PAID OUT" HELM: When rope becomes taut increases RPM for 30secs to ensure set
HELM: "Ready to Weigh Anchor"
CREW: Goes forward and readys anchor CREW: "Ready" HELM: "Raise the Anchor" WEIGHING ANCHOR CREW: Begins to pull up anchor HELM: Drives forward slowly CREW: "Anchor is Free" HELM: Proceeds towards destination