How to Sail - 2h pontoon launch - Part 3 of 4 - Pontoon recovery

Now let’s look at the recovery process You can return to shore either under full sail or if the wind is blowing directly on shore you can lower the mainsail afloat and sail in under the jib alone. Let’s first look at sailing in under full sail. The first thing to decide when approaching the pontoon is which side to use. This MUST be the downwind or leeward side of the pontoon. Recovery on the windward side can result in damage to your boat or injury to your crew as the wind forces the boat onto the pontoon and you will be unable to de-power the sails, so this is to be avoided at all times. If you misjudge things you should simply tack around and sail away and then come back for another go. The best point of sailing to approach the pontoon is from a close reach, as this will allow you to easily control your speed by releasing the sails, and keeps you out of the no go zone. In this example the jib has also been furled away, which slows the boat down even more. Once you are lined up on your close reach control your speed by adjusting the sails as necessary. Travelling at a slow speed, the crew is able to simply step ashore, keeping hold of the boat by grabbing hold of the shroud. Never step on the side tanks as the boat could tip over. The crew collects the painter and ties it to a suitable fixing point on the pontoon. In this example we are using a simple figure of eight. Alternatively you can use a round turn and two half hitches. If you haven’t already done so either furl or lower the jib. Next release the main halyard and lower the mainsail. Disconnect the halyard from the top of the sail and tie it to the shroud to stop it blowing away. To stop the mainsail from blowing away you should roll it up from the head of the sail, placing it in the bottom of the boat when completed. Raise the centreboard and remove or raise the rudder. Be careful moving about the boat once the centreboard is raised as things will be less stable as you move around. Pull the boat closer to the pontoon and the helm can step ashore. Walk your boat along the pontoon to the slipway. The boat is then recovered onto the trolley. Tie the painter to the trolley and get ready to pull the boat ashore, but watch your step here as the slipway can get very slippery. An alternative way to come in is to lower the mainsail afloat and sail in with the jib alone. The best way to do this, is to position the boat on a beam reach point of sailing and let the sails flap. This is called lying to. Keeping the tiller straight, the crew simply lowers the mainsail, and places the sail in the bottom of the boat, but be sure to keep it out of the way of the rudder. You can then sail to the pontoon under the jib alone, and step ashore. If you run out of wind you can user the rudder as a paddle to propel you forwards. It it’s windier, to stop the jib flapping violently in the wind when released, adopt the hove to position and lower the mainsail as before. Watch our First Sail training video to see how to hove to. Once at the pontoon recover the boat onto the trolley as we have shown already.