Tacking the Swan 53
Tacking the Swan 53

How to tack Who Dares Wins

Command: Ready About. - Requires everybody to get ready to Tack.

Command: Lee Ho. - Starts the Tack as Helm turns the Wheel to Windward.

Port Trimmer / Grinder:

When Beating - On Starboard Tack:

Trim Port sheet initially – 50 mm off lower Spreaders

Use Grinder as necessary, during maneuvers.

Trim or Ease Headsail to keep Tell-tales flying.

Windward flutters and Leeward Streams – TRIM sheet.

Windward Streams and Leeward Flutters – EASE sheet.

Preparation to Tack to Port:

Flake the sheet tail to ensure it will run freely.

Remove the Handle from the Winch.

Remove excess Turns from Winch and hold remaining by hand.

During the Tack:

Wait until Headsail backs past center line.

Dump one Meter off Winch fast, and then rip off remainder.

Rip the sheet off the Winch fast, instead of unwinding it.

Ensure the sheet tail is running freely then get to the other Rail.

Starboard Trimmer / Grinder:

Preparation to Tack to Port:

Load turns and take-up slack on Starboard sheet.

During the Tack:

Trimmer to pull sheet on fast as Sail moves across the Boat.

Grinder to Grind-on, until told ‘stop’, then get to the Rail, fast.

Trim Starboard Sheet – 50 mm off lower Spreaders

Mainsheet Trimer / Grinder:

When Beating - On Starboard Tack:

Raise the Mainsheet Traveler, to keep Boom on the Centre line

Trim or Ease the Port sheet, to keep Tell-tails flying.

Use Grinder as necessary, to grind the sheet.

Be ready to dump the Traveler in Wind Gusts.

During the Tack:

Wait until Headsail backs past center line.

Ease the tension on the Mainsheet.

Warn Crew to keep away from the Boom

Adjust the Traveler to it new position

Trim the Mainsheet on to get the Tell-tails flying

Running Backstays:

During the Tack:

Ease off the Windward Runner as the boat comes upright

Sheet on the new Windward Runner before the Sails load-up

All other Crew:

During the Tack:

On Command ‘Ready About’, Prepare to move off the Starboard Rail fast

Move to the other side, being careful to avoid the Boom.

Hike out on the Port Rail, to assist in settling the Yacht on new Course

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