Igor Stropnikvideo
How not to Sail
19 July 2025 · 19 min · 146K views · Lake Ossiacher See
What this video covers
A sailor demonstrates techniques for depowering and maneuvering a small keelboat in gusty conditions on the Ossiacher See in Austria. To depower the boat while sailing upwind, the operator releases the mainsail sheet to spill wind from the luff while keeping the sail partially full, which reduces heeling and maintains control.▶ 1:14 Releasing the jib alone is discouraged due to increased friction and potential sail damage.▶ 3:05 When the boat loses speed or stalls while pointing into the wind, the wind eventually pushes the bow to one side, allowing the sailor to tension the sails and resume forward motion.▶ 2:41 To stop the boat for tasks like eating or changing clothes, the sailor suggests furling the jib while sailing downwind to reduce pressure, then steering upwind to depower the mainsail.▶ 17:47 In light winds, the sailor shifts body weight to heel the boat slightly to improve sail shape, while moving to the high side in stronger gusts helps level the vessel.▶ 18:39
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