Bavaria 46 · Crew Briefing

Lake Balaton · offline on the boat

Rule #1

If you are unsure, ask. If something looks unsafe, say it immediately.

Enough shared knowledge to sail safely and work as one crew. We are not racing.

01 How a sailboat works

A sail is not simply “pushed” by the wind. Air flowing around the curved sail creates a force.

TOP VIEW · CLOSE-HAULED WIND partly from ahead BOW STERN FORWARD SIDEWAYS KEEL stops the slip

The curved sail pulls both forward and sideways. The keel fights the sideways force, so the boat goes forward even with the wind partly from ahead.

Part of that force drives the boat forward; part pushes it sideways and makes it heel. The keel resists the sideways force, so we can sail even when the wind comes partly from ahead.

Useful rule

The farther we turn away from the wind, the farther we normally ease the sails. Some heel is normal. More heel does not automatically mean more speed. We want a balanced, controllable boat.

Points of sail

Wind comes from the top. Each boat is pointing the way it is sailing. You cannot sail in the grey wedge — too close to the wind.

WIND NO-SAIL ~90° total STARBOARD TACK PORT TACK close-hauled close-hauled beam reach beam reach broad reach broad reach DOWNWIND

Wind from the top. Left of the picture is starboard tack (wind on the starboard side). Right is port tack.

Head up / luff upTurn toward the wind. Sails usually trimmed in.
Bear away / fall offTurn away from the wind. Sails usually eased out.
TackTurn the bow through the wind. Sails change sides.
GybeTurn the stern through the wind. Boom crosses the boat — must be controlled.
TrimPull a sail in.
EaseLet a sail out under control.
LuffingThe front of the sail flaps — too close to the wind or too far eased.
ReleaseLet the line go as instructed. Never wrap it around a hand.

02 Basic parts of our boat

Directions

BOW · front STERN · back PORT left looking forward STARBOARD right looking forward looking forward ↑

Port and starboard are the boat’s own left and right, looking toward the bow.

Port = left = red Starboard = right = green

Windward and leeward

WIND BOW WINDWARD side toward the wind LEEWARD side away from the wind · where the sail is

Windward and leeward depend on the wind, not on port and starboard.

Sailing equipment

MastVertical spar carrying the sails
BoomHorizontal spar at the bottom of the mainsail — stay clear of it
Mainsail / mainLarge sail behind the mast
GenoaLarge front sail
MainsheetControls the main and boom
Genoa sheetsPort and starboard lines controlling the genoa
HalyardsLines used to raise sails
WinchesMechanical advantage for loaded lines
Clutches / stoppersHold loaded lines
Helm / wheelSteers the boat
KeelUnderwater ballast resisting sideways movement
RudderUnderwater steering surface
ReefReducing sail area when the wind gets stronger
Boom and loaded sheets can move violently.

Never assume they will stay where they are.

03 Crew roles

We will rotate roles once everybody is comfortable. One skipper coordinates every manoeuvre.

Skipper / helm

Responsible for the boat, overall decisions and commands. Initially the skipper helms; later others can helm under supervision.

Helm

Steers the requested course and listens to the skipper. Look ahead, not only at the instruments.

Main trimmer

Controls the mainsail. Trims or eases when instructed. Watches sail shape, heel and load.

If you hear “EASE MAIN!”

Ease immediately and under control.

Genoa trimmers — normally two people

Working-sheet trimmer: controls the loaded genoa sheet.

Lazy-sheet trimmer: prepares the opposite sheet for the next tack.

During a tack, the old working sheet is released and the new sheet is pulled in quickly while the sail is unloaded, then fine-trimmed under load.

Lookout / navigator

Actively watches for boats, ferries, buoys, obstacles and anything the helm may not have seen.

If you see a potential problem, say it.

Never assume the skipper has already seen it.

04 What to expect

WindModerate NW / WNW, about 8–11 kt sustained, stronger gusts possible
AreaConditions can differ locally around Balatonfüred and Tihany
Sail planStart with full main and full genoa — skipper will adjust
FeelHeel is normal. Gusts change heel suddenly. Ropes get heavily loaded.

Commands will be short and direct during manoeuvres. Everybody has a job, but one person — the skipper — coordinates.

If the boat suddenly heels more

Do not panic and do not randomly release ropes. Hold on, stay clear of loaded lines, follow instructions.

05 Standard procedures

Heading closer to the wind

Command: “Head up” / “Luff up.” Helm turns gradually toward the wind. Sails are trimmed in. Too far, and the sails luff and the boat stops sailing effectively.

Heading away from the wind

Command: “Bear away.” Helm turns away from the wind. Sails are normally eased out progressively.

Tack versus gybe

TACK · bow through the wind WIND from port tack onto starboard tack sails change sides as the bow crosses the wind

The bow turns through the wind. The boat is briefly head-to-wind; then the sails fill on the new side.

GYBE · stern through the wind · DANGER WIND BOOM SWEEPS from starboard broad reach onto port broad reach boat points away from the wind · heads down, stay clear

The stern turns through the wind. The boat stays powered; the boom crosses the cockpit and must be controlled.

Tacking — bow through the wind

  1. Skipper: “Ready to tack?”
  2. Both genoa trimmers prepare their sheets and answer “Ready.”
  3. Skipper: “Tacking!”
  4. Helm turns the bow through the wind.
  5. As the genoa loses load, the old sheet is released.
  6. New sheet is pulled in quickly while unloaded.
  7. When the genoa fills, finish trimming with the winch.
  8. Helm stabilizes on the new course. Fine-trim main and genoa.
Do not release the old sheet before the manoeuvre starts.

Gybing — stern through the wind

Different from a tack: the mainsail stays powered and the boom crosses the boat.

  1. Skipper announces the gybe.
  2. Everyone confirms they are clear of the boom and mainsheet.
  3. Genoa sheets are prepared.
  4. Main is brought under control.
  5. Helm turns the stern through the wind in a controlled manner.
  6. Boom is transferred under control.
  7. Genoa changes sides and is trimmed. Sails adjusted on the new course.
Never perform an unplanned / accidental gybe.

Keep heads and bodies out of the boom’s path.

Reefing

Reducing sail area. We reef before the boat becomes difficult to control. Reefing is not a failure and does not necessarily make us slower: an upright, balanced boat can be faster and is much easier to handle.

06 Safety rules

  1. 1
    One skipper, one set of commands.
  2. 2
    Lifejackets: wear them whenever instructed; know how yours works.
  3. 3
    One hand for yourself, one for the boat. Move carefully and keep a secure handhold.
  4. 4
    Never wrap a rope around your hand, wrist or body.
  5. 5
    Never stand inside a loop of rope.
  6. 6
    Never put fingers between a rope and a winch, block, cleat or other fitting.
  7. 7
    Loaded sheets are powerful. Ease them under control.
  8. 8
    Stay clear of the boom and mainsheet, particularly during tacks and gybes.
  9. 9
    Do not leave the cockpit / go forward without telling the skipper.
  10. 10
    Three points of contact when moving: two feet + one hand, or two hands + one foot. Move one limb at a time. Keep low. Use handrails. Do not walk upright as if on land.
  11. 11
    Never jump into the water after a person overboard.
  12. 12
    If you do not understand a command, say so immediately.
  13. 13
    If you see danger, shout it clearly — regardless of your role.

Know before departure

This boat is not expected to have a usable MOB button or VHF. If either is present, the skipper will show it.

07 Man overboard

Speed matters — but keeping the person continuously in sight matters even more.

The most important MOB rule

One person points at the casualty continuously until they are back aboard.

Immediate actions

  1. SHOUT: “MAN OVERBOARD!”
  2. POINT: one person becomes the pointer. Point continuously. Do not look away. Do nothing else.
  3. THROW: lifebuoy or other flotation toward the casualty.
  4. SKIPPER takes control of the recovery.

We will have mobile phones. First priority is controlling the boat and keeping the casualty in sight.

If the skipper is still aboard

Do not improvise a complex textbook manoeuvre. The skipper directs recovery.

  1. Pointer: keep pointing. Do nothing else.
  2. Helm: follow the skipper’s steering commands.
  3. Sail crew: ease, release or furl as commanded.
  4. Skipper depowers, turns back, approaches slowly.
  5. Engine may be started when useful — first check no line is in the water near the propeller.
  6. Low speed. Stop beside the casualty, don’t pass them at speed.
  7. As they come close: gear to NEUTRAL. Nobody is recovered near a turning propeller.
  8. Recover at the safest low / freeboard point on this boat.

If the skipper falls overboard

The designated deputy immediately takes command.

  1. Shout “MAN OVERBOARD – SKIPPER!”
  2. One person points continuously. This person does nothing else.
  3. Throw flotation toward the skipper.
  4. Do not jump into the water.
  5. Deputy takes the helm and gets the boat under control.
Deputy objective

Stop getting farther away → get control → return slowly → stop beside the person.

Under sail

  1. Turn toward the wind enough to depower. Let sails luff if needed.
  2. Ease / release the genoa as instructed; furl it if that is straightforward.
  3. Ease the main so the boat is no longer driving hard.
  4. Start the engine only after checking no ropes are trailing in the water.
  5. Gear at low power. Manoeuvre back toward the skipper.
  6. Keep asking the pointer where the casualty is. Helm must not lose sight while looking at controls.
  7. Final approach very slowly. Reduce speed several metres before.
  8. Alongside, before recovery: gear lever to NEUTRAL.
  9. Bring the casualty to the designated recovery point.

Already motoring

  1. Throttle back.
  2. Neutral.
  3. Turn back toward the casualty under controlled low power.
  4. Approach slowly.
  5. Neutral before the casualty is close to the propeller / stern.

Call for help early if needed

Hungary: 112. If a working VHF is unexpectedly available: Channel 16, MAYDAY if in immediate grave danger. For this trip we assume no VHF.

Tell 112 Person overboard from a sailing boat on Lake Balaton · approximate position / nearest landmark · boat description · number of people aboard · whether you still have visual contact

08 Daytime sailing rules

Not a complete COLREG course — the practical rules we need on Balaton in daylight.

Always keep a lookout

Do not assume another boat has seen us. If in doubt about a collision course, tell the skipper early.

Collision test

If another boat stays at roughly the same bearing while getting closer, there may be a collision risk.

Powerboat versus sailboat

A power-driven vessel generally keeps clear of a sailing vessel. That is not a right to force a collision. If they do not react, we act early enough to stay safe.

Around the Tihany ferry route, give ferries plenty of room. Do not try to prove theoretical priority.

Two sailing boats — different tacks

WIND collision PORT TACK wind from port KEEP CLEAR STARBOARD TACK wind from starboard STAND ON

Both hold course and they meet. Look at which side the wind hits the boat — not which side of the picture it is on. Port tack keeps clear.

PORT gives way to STARBOARD.

Two sailing boats — same tack

WIND WINDWARD closer to the wind · KEEP CLEAR LEEWARD farther from the wind · stand on

Both boats on the same tack: the boat nearer the wind keeps clear of the one below it.

The WINDWARD boat keeps clear of the LEEWARD boat.

If we are both on starboard tack and the other sailing boat is below us / downwind, we keep clear.

Overtaking

The overtaking boat keeps clear, whether sailing or motoring. If we come up from behind, it is our job to pass safely.

Crossing under engine

BOTH UNDER ENGINE US THEM on our STARBOARD we pass ASTERN

Other boat on our right: we keep clear and go behind it, not across its bow.

If the other boat is on our STARBOARD / right side, we keep clear.

Head-on under engine

BOTH UNDER ENGINE · HEAD-ON US THEM both turn STARBOARD pass PORT to PORT

Like cars: both move to the right and pass left-side to left-side.

Both alter course to STARBOARD / right and pass port-to-port.

If we are the stand-on boat

“Stand on” does not mean “do whatever we want.” Hold a predictable course and speed. If the other boat is not taking action, the skipper manoeuvres to avoid collision.

Practical rule for our crew

Nobody except the skipper / helm independently changes course because another boat looks close. Call clearly:

“Boat starboard!” · “Boat port!” · “Boat ahead!”

The skipper decides the manoeuvre. Avoid early, clearly and generously. We are not racing and we do not need to defend right-of-way.

09 Leaving and entering the harbour

Harbour manoeuvres are different from sailing: at low speed the boat has less steering authority, wind can push the bow or stern sideways, and a Bavaria 46 is heavy. Prepare first; move second.

Most important rule

Never put any part of your body between the boat and the harbour, a pole, or another boat.

Do not try to stop the boat with hands, arms, legs or feet. Use fenders (“buffers”). A slow, controlled contact with a properly fendered pole, pontoon or neighbouring boat is usually far preferable to injuring somebody trying to prevent contact. Protect people first, boat second.

A roving fender can be placed where needed, but hold it by its line — never put your hand into the gap.

TOP VIEW · COMING ALONGSIDE PONTOON fender fender BOW STERN roving fender hold it by the LINE crush gap no hands · no feet stay inboard use the fender

The dangerous place is the squeeze between hull and pontoon. Hold a roving fender by its line — never put a hand or foot in the gap.

Before undocking

Before the engine is put into gear, check:

The skipper decides the release order. Release lines only on the skipper’s command.

Undocking roles

Skipper / helm

Engine, rudder, manoeuvre and commands.

Bow-line crew

Controls / releases the bow line; immediately brings the entire line aboard.

Stern-line crew

Same for the stern line.

Fender / lookout

Watches poles, harbour and neighbouring boats; moves a roving fender if required and reports distances.

Depending on the berth, the skipper may assign spring or mooring lines differently.

During departure

  1. Everyone takes their assigned position.
  2. Skipper explains the sequence before moving.
  3. Lines are released one at a time, on command.
  4. Released lines come completely aboard immediately.
  5. Hands and feet stay inside the boat.
  6. Report distances / hazards clearly.
  7. Skipper uses the minimum useful speed.

Released line = immediately aboard and controlled.

A line in the propeller can disable the boat at exactly the wrong moment.

Preparing to dock

Before the final approach, the skipper explains which berth; bow-in, stern-in or alongside; where the wind may push us; where fenders are needed; which lines are needed first; who owns each line.

Prepare everything before entering the berth.

Docking roles

Skipper / helm

Controls speed, direction and engine; decides whether to continue or abort.

Bow crew

Prepares the bow line, reports distance, passes it when instructed.

Stern crew

Prepares the stern line, reports distance, passes it when instructed.

Fender / lookout

Watches the exposed side, uses the roving fender and reports distance.

Everybody else stays clear and does not invent extra jobs during the manoeuvre.

Passing a line and stepping ashore

Pass or throw a line rather than making a heroic jump. If the gap is too large to step safely:

Stay aboard. Tell the skipper. We try again.

Final approach

The skipper may use short controlled applications of forward – neutral – reverse – neutral.

Crew: keep hands and feet away from gaps; never push against a pole with a hand or foot; use fenders; handle only their assigned line; wait for commands; give specific distance information.

Useful calls:

Two metres One metre Half metre Fender touching Bow clear Stern clear

Avoid vague calls such as “Careful!” Give the skipper information they can act on.

If the approach goes wrong

Abort — we’re going around again.

Do not jump, grab poles or desperately pull lines. Follow instructions and prepare for another approach.

A second approach costs two minutes. An injured hand or foot costs considerably more.

Once docked

Confirm that required mooring lines are secured; fenders are correctly positioned; lines prevent contact with harbour / neighbours; engine can be stopped safely; only then reconnect shore power / water if needed.

Shore power is connected last when arriving and disconnected first when preparing to leave.

10 Communication

During manoeuvres, commands are deliberately short. Repeat important commands back so it is clear they were heard.

Ready to tack?Prepare your station; do nothing yet
Ready!Your station is prepared
Tacking!Manoeuvre begins
Ready to gybe?Prepare for a controlled gybe
EaseLet line / sail out under control
TrimPull line / sail in
ReleaseRelease as instructed
Head upTurn toward the wind
Bear awayTurn away from the wind
Hold courseMaintain current heading
Ease main!Main trimmer eases immediately

11 The most important objective

We are not racing.

The objective is to sail the boat together, understand what it is doing, and have everybody participate safely.

Watch the wind. Feel the boat. Look at the sails. Communicate.

If something feels wrong, say it.