Steer a Range – Outbound - US Powerboating

Purpose-Value:

Practice and develop the skill of steering and maintaining an outbound range. This skill can be used to maintain a safe course in a channel.

Equipment: 2 buoys or use an existing range.
Position 2 buoys several boat lengths apart.
For beginning operators, align the buoys with the wind or current (whichever is stronger).
For sufficiently advanced operators, align the buoys crosscurrent or crosswind (whichever is stronger).
If there is an existing range, use it instead of the 2 buoys

From a position about 200 yards from the buoys, operators take turns approaching the range from the side and intercepting and steering outbound on the range, then circle back clear of the range for another run with either same or another operator.

Repeat the drill until all operators have successfully completed steering an outbound range.
If drifting off the range, teach operators to make a correction of a fixed number, such as 15 degrees. When back on the range, take half of the correction to see whether that will keep the boat on the range.
Emphasize the principle of turning in the direction of the near marker when intercepting or staying on a range.
Use different colored buoys to differentiate front and far markers of the range.

Turning helm in wrong direction when steering to intercept or stay on the range.
Chasing the bearing rather than use a series of systematic heading changes.