94 seamanship secrets
shifting winds, make the boundaries 20 degrees on either side of the center
TR. Measure each cone boundary bearing (in degrees magnetic) and label
the boundaries accordingly.
Scan inside and outside for hazards. Before going any farther, check inside
and outside the tacking cone’s boundaries for shoals, wrecks, or obstructions.
The ideal tacking cone will have no hazards within the boundaries. Highlight
shoals or obstructions just outside the cone.
Cone boundaries and cross bearings. Find a second prominent charted
object to the left or right of the TR. Extend light lines from that object across the
cone and label the end of each line with the magnetic bearing. Use these cross
bearings to fi x your position and show your distance advanced along the TR.
Ask a crewmember to take bearings with a handbearing compass. When
you reach one of the tacking boundary bearings, come about and sail to the
other boundary-line bearing, and then tack again.
Lift and header tacking strategy. Th e wind usually blows slightly to one
side or the other of the dead-ahead target course. Sail the favored tack fi rst,
because this tack takes you closest to the intended destination and keeps you
closest to the base trackline. Th is saves you lots of time and, if you are headed
along the way, you will continue to make good forward progress. Draw an arrow
onto your tacking cone to indicate the true wind direction. You will see right
Combining a tacking cone with cross bearings to a landmark outside the cone is a good way
to fi x your position. As you sail upwind, plot the distance advanced along the trackline.