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The Lubber’s Guide
What is Getting Caught in Irons?
In simple terms it is when you attempt to turn the bow of a sailing boat across the wind but are unable to get over
onto the other tack. This results in the boat stopping. However, you are now drifting and being blown steadily
leeward towards the rapidly approaching rocks, clubhouse, Admiral.
Where does the phrase come from?
The English language is littered with nautical phrases that we use unwittinghly every day: ‘square meal’, ’at loggerheads’, ‘fathom out’, ‘shake a leg’ etc. Well, as a keen student of history and English language I usually know
the answer, but in this case I don’t and I haven’t had time to look it up this month. So a FREE BARNACLE BILL
TEESHIRT to anyone who knows (answers to [email protected] – we’ll pick the winner out of a hat).
How and why it happens?
• Attempting to tack without sufficient forward speed
• When the boat is very heavy (often because it is full of water)
• When the bow of the boat is of a design that it will require the foresail to be backed before sheeting home on
the other tack
• When sailing with an inexperienced crew who don’t understand your screamed nautical orders and don’t either
move quickly enough or work the foresail as the design of the boat requires
• When sailing an unfamiliar boat
• When the foresail (jib, genoa etc) is allowed to flap and luff – keep the jib sheets under tension during the manoeuver.
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How to avoid getting caught in irons?
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Find out as much as possible about how a boat handles from someone who sails a similar one
Ensure all crew are fully briefed on the ‘going about’ procedure including all orders, BEFORE you head out
Ensure excess water is bailed out of the boat frequently, get the crew used to doing this as a matter of course
Ensure you have built up sufficient speed before attempting to tack
Luff up towards the wind by sailing as close as you can by hauling in the sheets just before you turn
Ensure the tiller action is fast and positive but d on’t oversteer, bring the tiller back to midships as soon as the
boat has crossed the eye of the wind and the mainsail has come over or you can lose a good deal of headway
(progress in the direction in which you wish to sail)
• Sit further back in the boat during heavy weather, this lifts the bow and makes it easier to cross the wind
left: be careful of your language, tone of voice and
manners when issuing orders to your crew especially
when under stress or if they are inexperienced and in
particular if you happen to be married to them!
It can lead to unintended consequences!
(The mutineers set Lt Bligh RN and his companions
adrift from HMS Bounty)