{"id":3699,"date":"2025-01-29T07:37:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=3699"},"modified":"2025-01-29T07:41:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:41:20","slug":"bcc-day-one-on-the-water","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/bcc-day-one-on-the-water\/","title":{"rendered":"BCC Day One – On the Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Departures & Docking (LOT)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Safety Note:
<\/strong>If you didn\u2019t think about it 10 minutes ago you waited too long! Plan ahead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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In discussing LOT, it can be beneficial to have a portable white board and markers on board that can be used to draw the departure sequence for the \u201cskippers\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOT is an acronym for Location, Orientation, and Transition. Every major maneuver (departure from a slip, departure from a dock, return to a slip, docking at a side tie, fairway turn, etc.) should have a formalized LOT plan in place before beginning the maneuver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Where should be boat be located when the maneuver is started. For example, when leaving the slip where should be boat be located in relation to the fairway when the transition from reverse to forward is initiated? In this case, a possible answer would be to draw an imaginary line down the centerline of the fairway, and try to put the leeward beam of the boat on that centerline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orientation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When orientation, or direction, should the boat be pointing before initiating the transition. To continue the above example, the boat is now located slightly to the windward side of the fairway. The orientation of the boat might be slightly to windward, so that the wind can \u201cblow the bow\u201d back to parallel with the fairway during the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transition<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What are the steps to follow during the transition? Following the above example, the steps might be as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Center the steering wheel when the boat is located slightly to windward in the fairway, with the bow slightly to windward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Throttle down and place the transmission in neutral for a second or two.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Place the transmission in forward and throttle up to stop reverse momentum, bring the boat to a stop, and begin forward motion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This same process may be used when returning to the slip to predetermine where in the fairway the approach should be made, when to commence the turn, when to go to neutral, when to go to reverse, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Stress with the class the importance of planning maneuvers before beginning execution of them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Maneuvering Under Power<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Safety Note:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Stationary crew are safer than crew in motion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Kneeling is safer than standing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Crew in the cockpit are safer than crew on deck.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Each class member in turn <\/strong>will act as \u201cskipper\/helmsperson\u201d during the maneuvers shown below. The skipper should assign job responsibilities for each crew member, as well as planning for the LOT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Depart from the slip<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      Teach the use of dock lines to control the effects of wind and prop walk during the early stages of departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Use one line on the bow going to the dock on the windward side to “pull” the bow back to center when wind or prop walk attempts to gain control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Use one line at the stern leading to the dock opposite prop walk to control the impact of the prop walk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Start the departure with the stern pulled to the non-prop walk side.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Note: in mild wind conditions and when the wind is from behind, the bow line may not be needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Plan and coach proper throttle and wheel control during departure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Motor clear of the fairway(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In clear water, transition from forward to reverse, while maintaining a steady head to wind orientation. Discuss balancing the wind on the starboard bow to offset prop walk to port. Back in a straight line with the wind for at least 100 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Conduct a Back & Fill (Fairway Turn) in safe water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        NEVER refer to the Back and Fill as an “Emergency Turn”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Conduct a Back & Fill in a fairway<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Return to the slip emphasizing speed, throttle, and proper transmission gear (remember that neutral is a gear).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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        Docking Practice<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        At a minimum, during BCC, the following docking maneuvers should be learned and practiced. Additional docking maneuvers may be learned as time allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n