A Step By Step Guide To Sailing A Power Catamaran

By Lora Jones


Sailing a power catamaran has always been a hobby that many people enjoy doing because of the rush and excitement that this activity provides. Like ordinary sailboats, riding this type of boat requires a lot of balance and body strength so that one does not fall off. However, riding catamarans are definitely more challenging because the shape of this boat will force a person to position his body in a different way.

Although it takes time to learn how to ride this kind of contraption, one may be able to get the basics down and start practicing right away. However, one should always be very careful when starting out. So for the beginners out there, here are some of the things to consider while learning how to ride this boat.

Now the first thing to do would be to practice launching the catamaran in the water because without a good launch, the contraption will not move at all. Now launching it will take timing and practice because it involves pushing the boat and jumping on it at the right time so that it can move. First, let the sail catch some wind and then hop on aboard when the boat starts moving.

When one is already moving, he should make sure that his body is hunched a little so that his chances of falling on his back will be lesser. Also, if he slightly bends his legs, then he will be able to gain some balance which will allow him to stay on the boat. Take note that beginners must always put their safety first because riding this thing can be dangerous.

Of course there is also another reason why one should always stay hunched when he is riding this type of boat. The second reason is that the sail of this boat is extremely low and that if the sail swings fast, then the rider will definitely get hit. So the key here is to bend the legs and hunch the shoulders slightly.

Once one has been able to get a sense of balance, then he should learn some maneuvering techniques. He should be able to learn to make use of the tiller which is the tool that will steer the boat in the right place. So if one would want to make a turn to the right or to the left, then he would need to know how to use the tiller.

People who have ridden catamarans before are probably familiar with the terms jibing and tacking. These terms are used to describe the movement that one makes when he is using the tiller in order to turn the boat. Tacking and jibing will require a lot of momentum and bodily strength because it is hard to move the tiller.

So basically, those are some of the things to take note of when learning how to ride a power catamaran. Always remember that when riding this thing, one should always consider his safety first. It is even best to take a lesson or have an instructor.




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