Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Quiz · Heavy weather and stability
You are returning under sail to a person in the water. Which approach lets you control your speed and stop alongside?
Seen from above, with the wind blowing from the top of the picture: a person in the water in the middle and three yachts approaching along arrows. Yacht A comes straight downwind from the top. Yacht B comes from the lower right, heading up and to the left at about 60 degrees to the wind. Yacht C comes from the upper left, heading down and to the right with the wind over her quarter.
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B: a close reach, letting the sails flap to slow down and filling them to speed up. On a close reach you can ease the sheets until the sails flap and the yacht slows, then sheet in to pick up speed again, so you arrive almost stopped. On a run or a broad reach the mainsail stays full however far you ease it, and you cannot slow down. Starting the engine, if there are no lines in the water, gives you more control still.
