bjbj{P{P |I%0 Pontoon Launch and Recovery - Single Handed In this training video you
will learn how to launch and recover your boat where pontoons are available. Pontoons
are large floating platforms that are permanently installed, and make launching easy and keep
your feet dry. They are generally only used on sheltered waters. Lets first look at Launching
Here we are using a laser which has the mast inserted into the sail and then the whole
unit inserted into the boat with the sail flapping. Check all the drainage bungs are
in place. Check for any obstructions on the slipway and look out for any slip or trip
hazards that could arise during launch. Ensure the nose of the boat is secured with a painter,
if you have a lifting rudder, put it in place with the blade raised and make sure the safety
clip is fitted. This prevents the rudder from falling off in the event of a capsize. If
your boat has a halyard system to hoist the mainsail, you should fit the sail to the boom
and leave it rolled up in the bottom of the boat until the boat is in the water and tied
up to the pontoon. Establish which direction the wind is blowing across the pontoon. To
help you, look at the masthead burgees on your boat or other boats around you. Flags
ashore are another indicator. Ripples on the water also blow from where the wind is coming
from. The side of the pontoon that you must use whilst rigging is the side opposite to
where the wind is blowing from. This is called the leeward, or downwind side, and keeps the
nose of the boat firmly in the middle of the no go zone whilst you are rigging, and the
sails simply flap. Do not try to position your boat on the side of the pontoon where
the wind is coming from, this is called the upwind side or windward side. This is because
the wind will try to blow you against the pontoon. This can cause damage to the boat
or cause injury to yourself by trapping fingers and hands between the boat and the pontoon.
However, when the wind is blowing up or down the pontoon you can position your boat on
either side. Lower your boat down the slipway into the water, being careful not to slip,
and untie the painter. Ask a friend to park your trolley in the dinghy park whilst you
manoeuvre the boat to the leeward side of the pontoon. When you have manoeuvred the
boat to the right position on the pontoon, secure the painter to the pontoon. In this
example we are using a round turn and two half hitches. Alternatively you can simply
loop the painter around a cleat in a series of figure of eights. Pull the boat towards
you being careful not to trap your fingers between the boat and the pontoon. You are
now ready to step aboard. The helmsman can then step aboard. Make sure you step as close
as possible to the centreline, never step on the side tanks as the boat could tip over.
Push the centreboard down fully to increase stability. If your boat has a halyard you
can now hoist the sail. Back in our laser, with the mainsheet completely slack, attach
the clew of the sail to the boom. Next, tighten the kicking strap slightly and tighten the
clew outhaul. The next step is to lower the rudder blade and secure the downhaul. That
s it you are now ready to leave. Next, untie the painter and walk the boat as close as
possible to the end of the pontoon to make for an easy exit. During rigging the boat
will have automatically laid pointing head to wind firmly in the middle of the no go
zone, and you won t be able to sail. To get going it s best to sail away from the pontoon
on a close reach point of sailing as this keeps you well clear of the no go zone. To
understand more about this subject see our Points of Sailing training video. To get to
the close reach push the nose away from the pontoon and at the same time grab the tiller
extension and mainsheet. Take a good look around to make sure there are no other vessels
in the immediate area, step gently into the bottom of the boat as close to the centreline
as possible to avoid unbalancing the boat. As you step aboard continue to push the boat
out of the no go zone steering with the rudder to help. Finally, pull in the mainsail and
sail away. Common mistakes Tying the boat to the pontoon broadside to the wind, this
will make it difficult to hoist the sails as the boat won t be lying head to wind. Tying
an unsuitable knot. The boat could either break free and float away, or the knot could
be difficult to untie. Key learning points for launching Understand where the wind is
blowing from, and how that affects where you need to position your boat on the pontoon.
Only use the downwind or leeward side of the pontoon. Look out for slip or trip hazards
on the slipway prior to launching. Secure the boat to the pontoon itself with a suitable
knot. Try to be as close as possible to the end of the pontoon. When manoeuvring your
boat be careful not to trap your fingers between the side of the boat and the pontoon. When
stepping into the boat make sure you are as close as you can be to the centreline. Never
step on the side tanks as the boat could tip over. Sail away from the pontoon on a close
reach point of sailing. Now let s look at the recovery process. The first thing to decide
when approaching the pontoon is which side to use. This MUST be the downwind or leeward
side of the pontoon. Recovery on the windward side can result in damage to your boat or
injury to yourself as the wind forces the boat onto the pontoon and you will be unable
to de-power the sail, so this is to be avoided at all times. If you misjudge things you should
simply tack around and sail away and then come back for another go. The best point of
sailing to approach the pontoon is from a close reach, as this will allow you to easily
control your speed by releasing the mainsail, and keeps you out of the no go zone. Travelling
slowly, at the last minute turn the boat deliberately into the no go zone to stop, and step ashore
taking the painter with you and tie this to a suitable fixing point on the pontoon. In
this example we are using a round turn and two half hitches. You can then step back aboard
and de-rig or lower the sail. Then, raise or remove the centreboard and rudder. Be careful
moving about the boat once the centreboard is raised as things will be less stable as
you move around. Pull the boat closer to the pontoon and step ashore, untie the painter
and walk the boat to the slipway. Tie your boat to a cleat whilst you get the trolley
from the dinghy park or ask a friend to this. Then recover the boat onto the trolley. Tie
the painter to the trolley and get ready to pull the boat ashore, but watch your step
here as the slipway can get very slippery. Common mistakes are Stepping on the side tanks
to step ashore, you may end up in the water Unsuitable securing knot, the boat may untie
itself Coming ashore on the wrong side is difficult and can be dangerous Key learning
points for recovery Judge where the wind is blowing from as this affects the direction
that you should approach the pontoon Approach the pontoon from a downwind direction Approach
from a close reach Whatever the wind direction it s vital to approach slowly controlling
your speed by flapping the sail. Turn deliberately into the no go zone to stop. Go round again
if you are not correctly positioned or going too fast. Next steps Watch this video as many
times as is necessary to feel comfortable with what is required to launch and recover
your boat in different wind conditions. Use the script and glossary accompanying this
video to help you. GLOSSARY Boom - A horizontal spar attached to the mast that supports the
mainsail Burgee - Small flag often at the mast head which is often used to indicate
wind direction Centreboard - A large plate that pivots and retracts inside the boat,
used to prevent sideways slip (called leeway) particularly when sailing close hauled Centreline
- The centre of the boat running from the stern to the bow Cleat - Fittings that come
in a variety of shapes and sizes either on a boat or pontoon used to secure or hold fast
a control line or mooring line Clew - The lower aft corner of a sail Close Reach - Steering
off a close-hauled course by approximately 20 degrees Downhaul - Control line used to
either tension the leading edge or luff of the sail. Similar to a Cunningham. Drainage
bungs - Small close fitting plugs inserted into drainage ports on the buoyancy tanks
Halyard - A line either made of rope or wire used to raise sails on a boat, for example
"the main halyard" is the line used to raise the mainsail Helmsman - Person steering the
boat, applies to both male and female Kicking Strap - Light tackle angled from the boom
to a lower part of the mast or some point on the floor of the boat to stop the boom
from rising when the mainsheet is released Leeward - The side of the boat or pontoon
opposite to where the wind is blowing from Mainsail - The main sail on a boat, the largest
sail (except for the spinnaker) controlled by the helmsman Mainsheet - The line used
to pull the mainsail in or let it out Masthead - The top of a mast No go zone - The area
in which a boat won t sail, 45 degrees either side of where the wind is blowing from Outhaul
- A control line that is used to pull the clew of the sail towards the end of the boom
Painter - A line attached to the bow of dinghies or other small boats for use in securing or
mooring. Point of sailing - Any direction of sailing Pontoon - A low flat floating platform
Rigging - The system of all ropes, lines and wires that support and control sails and mast
on a boat. Also the process of attaching the sails to the boat Rudder/rudder blade - A
flat, underwater blade that steers the boat Safety pin/clip - Pin designed to secure a
removable part of the boat s fixtures or fittings Side tanks - Generally the area that you sit
on while sailing, usually the buoyancy tanks Tack - The manoeuvre used to alter direction
by turning across the wind, the bow goes from one side of the no go zone to the other. Or
the lower front corner of a sail Tiller - Attachment to the rudder by which it is controlled Tiller
extension - Connected to the tiller, held by helmsman Windward - Towards the wind PAGE
h"ml h"ml h"ml h:#. h"ml h"ml h:#. h:#. h:#. h:#. Sailaboat Transcripts 12th November 2009
tash Normal penny Microsoft Office Word Sailaboat Transcripts 12th November 2009 Title Microsoft
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