Unfortunately, helming a sailboat requires constant attention. Some mechanical or electronic autopilot devices exist, but these are typically either expensive or of limited usefulness. Fortunately, there is an option for when the captain must leave the helm and there is no crew available to substitute.
Heaving to is a maneuver that putts the boat in a sort of holding pattern. By setting the sails and rudder in this configuration, the boat can be held in a stable position so the captain can leave the helm to attend to another task – e.g., reefing the sails, taking shelter from a storm, bringing in a MOB, etc.
Basically, the jib is intentionally backwinded on an upwind tack – tending to turn the boat away from the wind – and the rudder is set to turn the boat into the wind – counteracting the jib. This configuration holds the boat steadily on a heading without any needed adjustments or attention from the captain. Since the mainsail also counteracts the jib, the net wind forces are minimal. The boat is not propelled forward and only drifts sideways slowly.
The procedure for heaving to, illustrated in Figure 19, is fairly simple. From a close hauled heading, simply tack without uncleating the jib sheet. Once the jib is backwinded and the mainsail is full, turn the boat hard back into the wind. The wheel or rudder can be fixed in position using a spare line.
The mainsail can then be let out slightly to reduce side forces on the boat, but should not be let out so far as to cause it to luff. The boat should remain in a stable position, without any further adjustments to the sails or rudder.
To get out of the heaved to position, simply turn the rudder back leeward to guide the boat ahead and uncleat the jib sheet. The mainsail will generate enough force to begin to propel the boat and the opposite (leeward) jib sheet can be brought in and set.
Heaving To
