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Various ways to sail your Pond Skiff ...

Many ways to sail...

(sketches here representing the different sailing modes.)

 

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Free Sailing…

If you have access to a pond or swimming pool where you can walk the whole perimeter you can “free sail” your boat. This is the age old art of choosing a course based on wind conditions then setting sail and letting her go. A long stick can be helpful for course corrections. 

Chase boat...

If you have a canoe or rowboat on a small lake or stream, you can follow your craft in your “chase boat.” Remember to wear your PFDs (personal floatation devices) and stay safe!

Line Retrieval…

A spool of light (6 lb test) monofilament fishing line (or a rod & reel) attached to a screw eye on the bow of your boat will allow you to let her loose in larger bodies of water. Her range is then limited to the length of your line. A tug will bring her about and you can reel in her line as she sails back to you. Keep you eyes open for powerboats that might not notice the line connecting you to your boat! (Don’t ask me how I know this…) Never swim after your boat! Stay safe!

Control Line Sailing…

If your cruising grounds includes a span of water you can walk along or wade in you might consider line control. In this case, instead of fixing your main sheet in the cleat post, you run it through a small eye at the stern and attach fishing line to that. The result is you can control the trim of the sail with the play in your line, and the slight pressure on the stern behaves almost like a rudder.

Swim along...

In the safety of a pool or swimming area you can swim along with your pond yacht and get a fish eyes view of the action...

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