Home Avoidance Turn Slalom at Slow-Speed
Avoidance Turn Slalom at Slow-Speed
Purpose-Value:
- Practice and develop the boathandling skill of preventing the stern from hitting an object (e.g., buoy, mooring) or a person who has fallen overboard.
- Apply the pivot point principle while going forward.
Setting Up the Drill:
- Equipment: 4 to 6 buoys
- Place 4 to 6 buoys in a row about 4 boat lengths apart.
Conducting the Drill:
- Operators proceed though the slalom at slow speed, using avoidance turns to avoid the buoys.
Teaching Tips:
- Use the boat’s pivot point to swing the stern clear of the buoys.
- Start by turning away from the buoy. When the bow is abreast of the buoy, reverse the turn to swing the stern away from the buoy.
- Can have more than one operator performing the drill at the same time if the skill level and confidence of the operators permit.
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