Leaving the Dock

When we leave the dock in a 420, the bow should be pointing directly into the wind.

This position is called Head to Wind.

When a boat is head to wind:

• The sails will luff
• The boat will not move forward
• You are in control

Even though the boat is not moving forward, the boom will swing back and forth while the sails are luffing.

Both sailors must:

• Watch their heads
• Stay low
• Keep clear of the boom

Before leaving the dock, check:

• The rudder is fully down
• The rudder recovery line is clipped in
• The centerboard is down

What Does the Centerboard Do

The centerboard is the long flat blade under the boat.

It prevents the boat from sliding sideways.
It allows the boat to move forward instead of drifting.
It gives the rudder resistance so the boat can steer properly.

Without the centerboard down:

• The boat will slip sideways
• Steering will feel loose
• The boat will not move forward properly

Wind is the engine.
The lines control the power.
The centerboard converts that power into forward motion.

Dock Departure Steps

Confirm bow is head to wind.

Confirm rudder is fully down and the recovery line is clipped in.

Confirm centerboard is down.

Crew pushes the bow gently away from the dock.

Skipper keeps the tiller centered.

Both sailors stay low and aware of the boom.

Once clear of the dock, the skipper will gently pull the tiller away from the sail so the boat begins to fall off and start sailing.

What Does “Fall Off” Mean

To fall off means to turn the bow away from the wind.

When a boat falls off, it moves from head to wind to about 45 degrees away from the wind so the sails can fill with air.

We must fall off in order to begin moving forward.