Avoidance Turn Slalom at High-Speed

Purpose-Value:

  • Practice and develop the boat handling skill of preventing the stern from hitting an object (e.g., buoy, mooring) or a person who has fallen overboard.
  • Teaches how a boat at a planing speed turns differently than when it is at a displacement speed.

Setting Up the Drill:

  • Equipment: 4 to 6 buoys
  • Place 4 to 6 buoys in a row about 150 feet apart.

Conducting the Drill:

  • Operators proceed though the slalom on a plane while avoiding the buoys.

Teaching Tips:

  • Swing the stern clear of the buoy as necessary.
  • For beginning operators, they should practice the Avoidance Turn Slalom at Slow Speed before attempting it at high speed, or increase the distance between the buoys.

Common Errors:

  • Not performing the turn-away and turn-back correctly.
  • Not making the turn-back to swing the stern away from the buoys.

References:

  • Start Powerboating Right! textbook pg. 51