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Many ways to sail...
(sketches here representing the
different sailing modes.)
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Free Sailing…
If you have access to a
pond or swimming pool where you can walk the whole perimeter you can
“free sail” your boat. This is the age old art of choosing a course
based on wind conditions then setting sail and letting her go. A long
stick can be helpful for course corrections.
Chase boat...
If you have a canoe or
rowboat on a small lake or stream, you can follow your craft in your
“chase boat.” Remember to wear your PFDs (personal floatation
devices) and stay safe!
Line Retrieval…
A spool of light (6 lb
test) monofilament fishing line (or a rod & reel) attached to a
screw eye on the bow of your boat will allow you to let her loose in
larger bodies of water. Her range is then limited to the length of your
line. A tug will bring her about and you can reel in her line as she
sails back to you. Keep you eyes open for powerboats that might not
notice the line connecting you to your boat! (Don’t ask me how I know
this…) Never swim after your boat! Stay safe!
Control Line Sailing…
If your cruising grounds includes a span of water you
can walk along or wade in you might consider line control. In this case,
instead of fixing your main sheet in the cleat post, you run it through
a small eye at the stern and attach fishing line to that. The result is
you can control the trim of the sail with the play in your line, and the
slight pressure on the stern behaves almost like a rudder.
Swim
along...
In
the safety of a pool or swimming area you can swim along with your pond
yacht and get a fish eyes view of the action...
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