Purpose-Value:
- Practice and develop the boathandling skill of turning a boat at slow speed in a 180-degree arc to arrive at a specific point. This skill can be used in returning to a person or object in the water.
Setting Up the Drill:
- Equipment: 2 buoys
- Place 2 buoys about 6 boat lengths apart.
Conducting the Drill:
- Trainer is positioned between the two buoys.
- Operator passes 1st buoy on a course perpendicular to the line of buoys at slow speed.
- At a point 1 boat length past the 1st buoy, the operator starts a constant turn with as close to a constant radius as possible to arrive at the other buoy on a course perpendicular to the line between the 2
Teaching Tips:
- Pass the 1st buoy headed perpendicular to the line between the buoys.
- Make a constant turn, using constant speed.
- Arrive at the other buoy headed in the opposite direction perpendicular to the line between the buoys.
- Instead of two buoys, the slalom course can be used where the operator starts perpendicular to a buoy, makes the 2nd buoy the center point of the radius and arrives at the 3rd
Common Errors:
- Unable to set up a constant radius turn and squares off or angles the approach, which results in not approaching the other buoy at the desired heading.
References:
(none)