Difficulty tacking

[puggsy]

It has all been said, and I always sail with the motor tilted up out of the water like Solentboy suggested. However, I did have probs, still have, with the steering jamming on me. It could be the linkage when the motor is tilted...I will be experimenting with dis-connecting the motor to prevent this. But in doing so, you lose the ability to have it in any sort of emergency. The other suggestion of not oversteering. guests on board do this a lot...They think they are still in a car. And always keep your speed up when going into a 'tack'. As the boys said, hold the jib sheet until it 'backs' somewhat to drag you across the 'eye of the wind'. In the Swan river we have a long narrow stretch called BLACKWALL REACH, and when our souwester blows, its like a funnel. It can take up to five or more tacks to negotiate it. Nasty rocks both sides. No room for mistakes. Every tack has to succeed. I had a single guest/ mate on board one day on the wheel and IN the reach. He did not have the speed and we nearly lost it. Had to quickly crank the motor to save the old girl...So practice, practice practice....
are too good to lose. Puggsy

[School House Steve]

K9Kampers has the right answer.

When the bow doesn't come all the way around to the new tack, the boat goes into Irons and your boat speed goes to zero, reverse the helm and as the boat sails backwards the bow will come over. When the head sail fills, adjust the helm again. Kind of like heaving to, you won't believe it works until you try it. Just practice where there aren't rocks on both sides.