Topic: Tacking in strong winds

The 12 is similar to most 2 person dinghies but look out for the subtleties

The principles of tacking are the same as other 2 person dinghies, however there are some subtleties to master with the 12. The 12 is short and the hull is quite rounded which leads to common pitfalls. It can be easy to:

1. Tack too fast - which results in losing speed
2. Stall the boat - as the helm feels light it is easy to use too much rudder

Follow these steps and you will be a tacking god!

Most 12s have a transom mainsheet, primarily because with only 12' of boat at your disposal it's best to get the sheet out of the crew's space. The transom main can result in hands getting mixed up initially, but persevere, it is generally the best option.

To start the tack push the tiller away - slowly at first. Don't force her around. It should feel like she wants to pull the tiller through rather than you forcing her.

Don't move yet!

As the boat starts to turn you can use more rudder to steer around.

The helm pulls a little more mainsail in to encourage the back of the boat around.

Helm changes hands between sheet and tiller. This should be a natural movement. As the tiller extension is pushed away, the hand with the tiller extension should naturally pick up the sheet as it crosses.

The crew should keep the jib tight in.

Again don't move yet!

As she approaches head to wind the jib will back (assuming the crew has kept it in). The backed jib swings the front of the boat around more quickly. Watch out for capsizing to windward though.

Now start to move across the boat.

1. The helm and crew should try and move together.
2. You want to encourage the boat to heel a little during the tack so don't move too quickly

As the boat goes though head to wind she should be heeled over and you should be dashing across. This is best done in a single continuous manoeuvre, with one change of footing. Using the centreboard case as a step can work well.

The jib can start to come across to the new side. It should come across quickly so it doesn't flap.

Ease out some mainsail. This helps the boat turn through the wind.

1. If the mainsail catches the wind too soon it tries to push the boat into the wind.
2. Having the mainsail eased will help the acceleration and the top batten flick when you bring her back upright later

As soon as the boat has turned so she is on the new tack, put the tiller in the middle. Any over-steering here will have to be corrected later and will also lose you ground to windward.

You should aim to come out of the tack exactly on the new close hauled course. If you have turned too much then you may need to compensate (as in the picture here).

It is best to compensate before the helm and crew get to the side and apply the power.

The boat should be on the new close hauled course with the jib and mainsail still eased

The helm and crew should reach the side together and slide their feet into the toe straps

Next it's time to apply the power

Squeeze in the jib steadily at the same time as the mainsail.

1. Imagine that you are squeezing the air through the gap between the main and the jib
2. The 12 has a very tight sheeting angle so it is very easy to pull in the jib too quickly and stall the sails.

As the sails come in the helm and crew should hike out hard to bring the boat back upright.

If both helm and crew bring the boat upright together and the main comes in at the same time then the top batten should flick.

Now all you have to do is sail flat and fast and you'll be first at the windward mark!

Watch it on YouTube

Tacking in strong winds