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