Tip #1: Boat Balance & Steering with the Sails

This video explains the importance of using both the sails and rudder to maintain boat balance while maneuvering.

[MOVENautic]

This is the most straightforward, easy to understand description of balancing a boat I have ever seen.

[BenjaminEAlexander]

I spent hours on Sunday trying to sail a beam reach with a tight sheet because I’d tangled everything, and this is a good explanation of why it was so miserable.

[Tdawg]

one of the best (best maybe) I've come across, explanations of this. The beginning illustration with the square rigs really hits it home

[peterbooth]

Sorry about this, but what a brilliant instructor.
Seems to be a natural, explains it all in simple terms using great examples. He has answered questions that I had been thinking about sych as how to steer should orcas rip my rudder off or I lose it through other means.
Thank you.

[sadiaabbasi]

Beautiful explanation. Please keep on updating the videos they are extremely informative

[argentosebastian]

Great video. It's exactly what I'm trying to learn. From what I heard also is important to shift your weight (port/starboard). I haven't figured out how that works yet.

[MacBjorn]

Great class on sail steering and how the pressure works on the boat

[StartVisit]

omg, i have so much trouble on 40ft Cat in high winds because have no idea about balancing, boat always want to turn i have to use one engine to compensate 😮 thanks for basic explanation

[peterkadelbach]

What happens with an adjustable center board/swing keel? I’m guessing in its most forward position it will go up wind better. When would I want to angle it up and towards the stern?

[beorbeorian]

I don’t get why the boat would sail into the wind if sails are sheeted in? Would seem the lift would be down wind.

[MondoRockable]

Excellent description on where the sails need to be with respect to the 'points of sail' - close hauled, reach, run. Terrific instructions. ⛵

[WindedVoyage]

My autopilot quit at the beginning of a 3 day solo passage. I was able to balance my boat and keep it on course for the 3 day journey from Cape Verde Islands to Senegal, West Africa. My helm was held by bungee cords to keep the rudder steady. Since that experience, I can regularly sail and steer without the autopilot.

[jabberwockytdi]

I'm consistently amazed how many " sailors" don't get this, I recently saw a comment on a sailing video in YT that the owner of the boat in the video had weather helm on a close reach in a decent breeze as they had "too much Genoa out" when the heel angle was OK and they clearly needed to reduce the power from the main - reef/ease sheet .

[johnsmall]

As a newbie to sailing, thank you for explaining the concept of steering with the sails. But what do you use the rudder for?

[kailohre]

Comment from Norway! Great video - tried to steer my 39 fot sailboat by sail only he other day. I had limited success. Now I will try again and do think I will do better!

[vincentrogers]

Brilliant explantations - clear & precise with great examples.

[yesimeanyes]

A great and helpful explanation. Really easy to understand!

[music-jjpl]

Excellent example with the scale. I am practicing this as soon as I can by pulling my rudder out also. I always like having backups in this case what happens if i lose my rudder.

[denise]

Love your visual analogy with the balance! Thanks! I’ll subscribe because this is the best explanation I’ve seen of how sail position is so important!

[headshedwisdom]

The best kiss ( keep it simple stupid) explaination of how to balance a sailing vessel I have ever watched....well done sir. Having circumnavigated easterly and westerly single handed I learned this after a lot of experience and you are so very very correct.