Departing from and returning to the beach are critical moments in your sailing. Whether you are on a catamaran or a dinghy, these maneuvers require anticipation to avoid damaging equipment on the sand or being caught off guard by the elements.
1. Preparation at the Water's Edge
First and foremost, check the wind direction relative to the beach.
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Equipment: Ensure your life jackets are buckled.
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Rudder and Daggerboard: They must be raised or in the "up" position to avoid touching the bottom.
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Orientation: Position the boat into the wind so that the sails do not fill while you prepare the rigging.
2. Beach Departure
The goal is to reach sufficient depth to lower your appendages (daggerboard and rudders) and gain speed.
"Beam Reach" or "Broad Reach" Departure (The Simplest)
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Launching: Push the boat until the water is knee-deep.
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Holding: The helmsman holds the boat facing the wind from the stern, while the crew member positions themselves at the front on the windward side (hiking out if necessary).
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Momentum: The helmsman steers the boat away from the wind line (bears away). As soon as the sails draw, the crew member gets on board, followed by the helmsman.
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Appendages: Immediately lower the daggerboard halfway, then the rudder as soon as the depth allows.
"Upwind" Departure (More Technical)
This requires moving away from the beach by "tacking" (sailing close-hauled) very quickly. The sails must be trimmed as much as possible as soon as you get on board to avoid drifting towards the sand.
3. Beach Return
The objective is to arrive with controlled speed to stop exactly where you can stand.
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Anticipation: Approximately 50 meters from the beach, partially raise the daggerboard.
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Approach Angle: Preferably approach on a broad reach or a beam reach to maintain complete control over your trajectory.
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Slowing Down: To lose speed, ease the sails. If you are going too fast, briefly head into the wind to kill the boat's momentum.
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Last Few Meters: Fully raise the rudders just before the hulls touch the bottom.
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Disembarking: The crew member jumps into the water as soon as they can stand to keep the bow into the wind and prevent the boat from turning broadside in the waves.
4. Safety Tips
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Waves: If waves are breaking on the beach, wait for a "calm" period to push the boat. Always keep the bow perpendicular to the waves to avoid capsizing near the shore.
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Protection: Wear sailing gloves to handle ropes without burning your hands and booties to protect your feet from rocks or shells.
Communication: The helmsman and crew member must communicate. A clear "Go" to get on board prevents many falls into the water!
For even more information, the website https://derivoile.fr offers many very comprehensive illustrated tutorials: feel free to consult them.
