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:
- Tack too fast - which results in losing speed
- 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!
Mastering the transom main sheet
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.
Tack smoothly
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!
Steering through the turn
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!
Head to wind
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.
- The helm and crew should try and move together.
- You want to encourage the boat to heel a little during the
tack so don't move too quickly
Wind fills on the new side
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.
Completing the turn
Ease out some mainsail. This helps the boat turn through the
wind.
- If the mainsail catches the wind too soon it tries to
push the boat into the wind.
- 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.
Close hauled on the new tack
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.
Prepare to bring her upright
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
Bring in the sails and accelerate
Squeeze in the jib steadily at the same time as the mainsail.
- Imagine that you are squeezing the air through the gap
between the main and the jib
- 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.
Sail flat and fast
Now all you have to do is sail flat and fast and you'll be
first at the windward mark!
Watch it on Google Video
Tacking in strong winds
