1. Even Keel
Sailboats can be enjoyed leisurely on quiet lakes as well as on the ocean for exciting trips. The only requirements for a sailboat are movements in the wind and a bottom deep enough for the keel to move without hitting bottom. Smaller sailboats have moving keels, which can be lifted in shallow water. These are typically day sailboats, which do not have cabins for sleeping. Even though a true sailor abhors the sound of an engine, larger sailboats have an inboard or outboard engine to get through the windless times.
2. Catch the Wind
Often, the way that you move through the water seems contradictory. Moving the sails in the direction of the wind, you would think might send you backwards. But knowing how the wind catches in the sails is the key to efficient sailing. Heading down means that you are moving the boat in a down wind direction. The captain may yell out, "heading down," and crew members need to know how to trim the sails accordingly.
3. Let Out the Lines
When heading down, the wind will be coming onto the boat from the back. The boat begins to cruise in sync with the wind. The sails need to be let out, or loosened in order to keep moving. The lines are let out and each crew member who is manning a line watches the sails until they become full of air and the boat levels off so that no side is sticking up out of the water.
4. Boom Time
The sailboat actually slows down when it is heading down. The jib, or sail in the front of the boat, is usually swung over to the other side when you begin a downward ride. This move is called jibing and someone, typically the person who is handling the jib, calls out to warn the others on the boat that the boom is about to swing and cross over to the other side. You have to duck or risk getting hit in the head and possibly knocked overboard if you are standing up when the boom swings.
5. Cruising Around
Heading down is reserved for cruising on a sailboat and taking advantage of the wind direction to reach a specific destination. Heading down maneuvers are not usually used in sailboat racing because the boat will slow. While cruising can be relaxing and easy, boaters who are not proficient swimmers should always wear a life jacket, especially when walking on the boat while it is moving. Moves such as jibing when heading down can be dangerous if you are not prepared and well versed in the mechanics of the sport.
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