How to Steer a Sailboat With the Tiller

If your boat uses a tiller as a steering system, you must learn to use it before heading out to open water. Here are the steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sailboat

1. To go straight, hold the tiller to the middle.

2. When you are ready to turn, swing the tiller away from the direction you want to go. The rudder turns with the tiller and pushes your boat in the opposite direction. Don't forget to duck the boom, and warn your passengers to do the same.

3. As you turn, you or someone else should trim and loosen the sails as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• You can lash down the tiller to maintain a course, but you should always keep watch to make sure that a wind change or obstacle does not affect you adversely. Keeping the boat on course is a very delicate balance.

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