Introduction

Sailing involves a variety of techniques and procedures that sailors must master in order to be successful on the water.

One of these techniques is dousing a sail, which is an important part of sailing and should be practiced by experienced and novice sailors alike in order to ensure the safety of their vessel and crew.

In this article, we will discuss what dousing a sail is, its associated procedures, as well as alternative methods for stowing or dousing a sail such as furling.

What Is Dousing a Sail?

Dousing a sail refers to the process of reversing the hoisting sequence in order to take down and stow away the sails on a boat or vessel when sailing has come to an end for that particular occasion or journey.

This process involves turning to a broad reach, easing the sheet, pulling down the snuffer (if applicable), easing the guy, and lowering the halyard in order to ensure that all sails are safely lowered, folded, and stowed away on board the vessel.

The Hoisting Sequence

The hoisting sequence refers to the steps taken in order to raise and rig sails on board a vessel prior to sailing out on open water or while in motion during sailing trips or journeys.

This includes raising each sail by attaching it securely via halyard lines, setting each sail’s shape with sheets (ropes attached at corners of sails), tensioning rigging lines or guys (lines extending from masthead over boom towards clew corners) if necessary to hold sails taught, and adjusting trim (angle) of each sail with vangs/cunninghams (lines extending from boom downwards) if necessary in order to achieve optimal performance while sailing out on open water or during races/regattas .

Reversing The Hoisting Sequence

In contrast, reversing this same hoisting sequence involves taking down each sail individually after all sailing activities are complete for that particular occasion or journey by turning firstly into a broad reach (turning slightly off course before taking down each sail) which allows for some leeway with regards direction just prior to beginning dousing procedure, easing sheet (pulling sheet lines inward until sails are flapping loosely against mast), pulling down snuffer (if applicable – pulling down additional fabric panel over luff/leading edge of main sail which helps secure mainsail when stowed away).

if necessary afterwards , easing guy (adjusting tension on rigging lines so that boom can be easily moved towards middle section of boat for storage) ,and finally lowering halyard (pulling halyard line downwards until entire luff/leading edge of main sail is released from mast and can be properly folded for storage).

This same procedure should be done for all other sails onboard prior to furling as an alternative method of stowing/dousing any remaining sails .

Turning To a Broad Reach

Turning into a broad reach prior to beginning dousing procedure is an important step in ensuring safety while taking down sails onboard any vessel since it provides some leeway with regards direction just prior to beginning dousing procedure while also allowing crew members onboard time adjust their footing accordingly before beginning any manoeuvres related this process.

Easing The Sheet

Once broad reach has been established ,easing sheet refers specifically to pulling sheet lines inward until sails are flapping loosely against mast which allows crew members onboard time adjust their footing accordingly before beginning any manoeuvres related this process .

This will also help prevent any accidents due sudden shifts in wind direction during dousing procedure which could cause sails still attached at halyards become tangled with other rigging lines onboard when released from mast .

Pulling Down The Snuffer (If Applicable)

Pulling down snuffer refers specifically additional fabric panel over luff/leading edge of main sail which helps secure mainsail when stowed away . This should only be done if applicable since not all vessels have this feature installed onboard , however if it does then this step should not be overlooked during dousing procedure.

Easing The Guy

Easing guy refers specifically adjusting tension on rigging lines so that boom can be easily moved towards middle section of boat for storage during final steps f dousing procedure .

This step should not be overlooked since having too much tension can make it difficult move boom towards centre line boat without risking damage either boom itself or other rigging lines connected it.

Lowering The Halyard

Finally lowering halyard refers specifically pulling halyard line downwards until entire luff/leading edge main sail is released from mast ,after which point entire mainsail can then be properly folded for storage either manually through traditional folding methods or automated through roller furling systems installed onboard certain vessels.

Furling As An Alternative Method Of Stowing Or Dousing A Sail

Furling is another method of stowing or dousing a sail by flaking (folding), packing or stowing it in part or whole using roller furling systems installed onboard certain vessels which help automate process rolling up mainsails ,genoas jibs etc into neat bundles ready storage without having manually fold them up traditional means once they have been released from their respective halyards .

This method may not always available due lack space available onboard certain vessels but should always kept mind when considering options available while dousing sails after completion journeys out sea.

Conclusion

In conclusion ,dousing a sail involves reversing hoisting sequence , turning broad reach , easing sheet ,pulling down snuffer( if applicable ) easing guy and lowering halyard order take down and store away sails safely once sailing activities have come end particular occasion journey.

Furling another method stowing /dousing sail automated means through roller furling systems installed certain vessels however space limitations may prevent use this method certain cases .

Regardless method chosen safety must always kept mind when taking down storing away any type sailing equipment ensure safe return all participants journeys out sea !