Learn To Sail A Schooner No.6

Short Turning Away From A Quay

SchoonerSail’s Learning To Sail A Schooner Articles

John, Trinovante’s skipper started writing these articles after some Trinovante Crew asked for more information on the fundamentals of schooner handling. These articles are not imagined theory. John has written about specific situations that have arisen.

Seafaring is an ongoing learning process and John cautions against set piece manoeuvers. You need a plan but it needs to be flexible because things don’t always go according to plan.

Sail Training involves learning how to safely handle ropes, tying basic knots and using winches, among other things. The crew need these skills is to be able to carry out manoeuvres under sail or power.

Full in-depth knowledge of exactly what is going on is not essential, so dip into these Learning To Sail articles only if you want to.

Print Learn To Sail A Schooner No.6

Short Turning Away From A Quay

Image 1

Here Trinovante is lying alongside a quay and needs to turn through 180 degrees in not much more than its own length to head out of harbour.

Two slip lines are set up that can be released and adjusted from onboard. The rest of the mooring lines are taken in.

Alongside this particular quay in Kabelvag there were big piles with gaps in between. We had to position the boat so once the swing began the end of the bowsprit would rest on a pile. Trinovante has a bowsprit specially designed and fendered for this type of operation.

Image 2

The stern line is slipped. Soon the stern catches the wind and the boat has no option but to swing out as it moves forward and the bow spring pulls the bowsprit in.

The engine is not needed as the boat swings gathering speed as we turn.

While Trinovante is swinging the crew transfer the fendering from port to starboard side starting as soon as the boat starts to peel away from the quay.

Image 3

The fenders have been positioned where the boat is going to land on the piling at the end of the quay.

The bow rope is now slipped and the momentum of our swing causes Trinovante to pivot anti clockwise on the corner of the quay.

Image 4

Sufficient power is applied to stop the ship blowing astern.

The rudder is put over to port. as the bows swing out pushed by the wind. Trinovante blows clear of the quay and can now head out of harbour.