Sailing is

Dancing with the Wind

 

When Sailing:

 If you don't know where the wind is from,

   you don't know anything.

 

 

 

Sail boats do not "pick a direction" or point on the land and head for it; rather they, continually, adjust the boat to the wind in such a manner that it eventually arrives at the destination. The first concern must be to keep the sails full and drawing and the boat moving; without motion it can't be steered and is thus out of control.

 

THE SAILOR MUST KNOW WHERE THE WIND IS COMING FROM AT ALL TIMES; HE OR SHE CAN DETERMINE THIS FROM THE SET OF THE SAILS, THE FEEL OF THE WIND ON HIS SKIN AND HAIR, FROM THE STATE OF THE SEA OR FROM FLAGS, TELL-TALES AND INSTRUMENTS.

 

 

PARTICULARLY WHEN NEARING OBSTRUCTIONS, DOCKS, BUOYS AND OTHER BOATS THE SKIPPER NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE EFFECT OF THE WIND ON THE COURSE OF HIS VESSEL AND HAVE IN MIND AN ALTERNATE PLAN SHOULD CONDITIONS CHANGE.

 

THE PRUDENT SKIPPER PLANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FORCES BY SUCH TACTICS AS SAILING UP THE WEATHER SIDE OF THE CHANNEL SO THAT IF HE RUNS AGROUND THE WIND WILL HELP BLOW HIM BACK INTO DEEP WATER. HE ALWAYS TRIES TO APPROACH A DOCK OR MOORING UP WIND SO THAT THE BOAT WILL NATURALLY COME TO A STOP HEAD TO WIND AND SHOULD HE LOSE STEERAGE WAY BEFORE REACHING THE MOORING HE WILL DRIFT OR BE BLOWN CLEAR WITH OUT ANY EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOD MAKES THE WIND

MEANDER OVER THE SEA.

 

SAILING IS DANCING WITH THE WIND.

GOD LEADS, YOU FOLLOW.