How to Steer a Sailboat With a Wheel

One of the first skills you need to master once your sails are rigged and you're on the water is the art of steering, which is a bit different in a sailboat with a wheel. In a tiller system, the tiller is connected directly to the rudder that steers the boat, requiring you to steer away from the place you want to go. Larger sailboats with wheels work in the exact opposite way.

Things You'll Need

• Sailboat
• Practice

Instructions

1. Hold the wheel centered or lash it down in the center position to go straight.

2. Swing turn the wheel in the direction you want to turn. Don't forget to duck the boom and warn your passengers. Also, do not turn too fast, or you might just swamp the sailboat.

3. Make sure someone is trimming and loosing the sails as you turn to keep them functioning at maximum efficiency-and keep you on course.

Tips & Warnings

• You can lash down the wheel to maintain a course, but you should always be supervising to make sure that a wind change or obstacle does not affect your direction.

• Some people claim that because wheels are mechanized, you can't feel what's going on with the rudder just by holding the wheel.

• Turn the wheel, do not spin it. A rapid turn could capsize the boat, especially in high winds.