How to Tack a Cutter Rig

When tacking a cutter, the sails must be adjusted in a particular order.

A cutter rig is a sail plan that replaces the single headsail with a staysail and a topsail. The two smaller sails improve the ability of the cutter to be handled with a small crew, while sacrificing only a small portion of the propulsion provided by a single headsail. Tacking a cutter, or swinging the stern of the boat through the eye of the wind to adopt a new angle of sailing, is slightly complicated by the sail plan. It requires adjusting the sails in a particular order as the tack is performed to avoid fouling of the lines or sheets.

Instructions

1. Select a landmark, such as a structure or cloud, approximately 90 degrees to windward, the direction in which the wind is blowing.

2. Turn the rudder to an angle of 33 degrees from center to bring the boat into the eye of the wind. The eye of the wind is the point at which the wind is blowing directly into the stern of the boat.

3. Loosen the lines on the leeward edge of the staysail as the boat begins to turn. Tighten the lines on the windward edge of the staysail. As the stern crosses the eye of the wind, the staysail will fill and adopt a new working angle.

4. Loosen the lines on the leeward edge of the mainsail. As the staysail fills, tighten the lines on the windward edge of the mainsail. Maintain the angle of the turn until the topsail swings through the space between the staysail and the mast.

5. Hold the rudder steady until the stern of the boat is pointing toward the landmark you chose in Step 1. Turn the rudder to an angle that allows the boat to return to a straight sailing path. Adjust the tension of the lines on the mainsail and staysail until they are gently curved with the wind and any flapping ceases.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you have enough forward momentum to complete the turn. Attempting to tack at low speeds can cause the boat to stall in the wind, leading to a loss of control and possible damage to the rigging or dangerous heeling.

• Communicate with your crew. The person with a hand on the rudder has a better feel for the forces the boat is being subjected to and is in the best position to decide when the sheets should be adjusted.

• Only attempt to tack a boat if you are confident in your ability to do so. When in doubt, fall away from the wind instead, and bring the stern around to the new heading the long way. This may take longer and sacrifice some distance, but is a much easier and safer maneuver.

• Always wear a life jacket when sailing. Do not sail without a means of reliable contact with the shore and Coast Guard.

References

• Sailing USA: Turning the Boat
• Go Sailing: Tacking
• Canadian Yachting: Bayfield 29