Heel and Balance

Heel
The lean of the boat caused by wind pressure in the sails.

A small amount of heel, about 10 to 15 degrees, is fast and efficient.

Too much heel causes:

• Weather helm
• Harder steering
• Loss of control
• Risk of capsize

Weather helm
When the boat fights to turn into the wind also known as to weather.

Crew should be the first to move weight.

Skipper should stay on the high side whenever possible.

Move weight as far outside of the higher side of the boat opposite of the sails.

If heel increases:

1. Move weight
2. Head towards the wind slightly
3. Ease the mainsheet
4. Ease the jib sheet if necessary

Ease jib last.

A potential capsize happens when heel increases beyond recovery and balance is lost.

Balance is the coordinated movement of skipper and crew to keep the boat parallel with the water.