Perform a detailed visual inspection.

• Inspect all rigging – the cables and ropes supporting the mast – including the “rose” and the wire checks securing the rigging to the hull. Some ships have had masts torn out just because a 15-cent pin was missing!
• Check the lines that hoist and control the sails (halyards and sheeting with particular care). Make sure they are separate, that they are not twisted on top of each other or anything else, and that EVERY one has an octopus knot and other braking loops on the free end so that they cannot go through the mast or pulley.
• Pull all the lifelines out of their wefts and gates. Nothing should bind the lifelines; they should all be free, get this straight.
• If you have a topenant – a small leash that supports the back of the boom and holds it out when the sail is not in use – let it go until the boom hangs free, then tie or re-tie it. Watch the boom; at this point it’s just hanging loose; a painful “pop” will sound when it hits you or someone on your crew. The keel will return to its original position when you raise the fock.
• If everything went smoothly, make sure the tiller is well secured to the rudder and easy to control. The boat is now ready to hoist the sail!

Determine the wind direction.

If your boat doesn’t have some sort of wind direction detector (“weather vane”) on the mast, tie some 20cm pieces of old cassette tape (from video or audio tapes) or oiled yarn to the shrouds. This will tell you which direction the wind is blowing. Some sailors find tape too sensitive for this purpose. If you think so too, try videotape or oiled yarn.
Place them about 120 cm from the board, on each side.
For effective sailing, you will need to know the direction of the wind.

Point the vessel downwind.

The idea is to put a straight sail with as little wind resistance as possible. In this position, the sail will not hit the battens or other parts. This is not always easy. The ship will not turn if it is not moving. Do the best you can, but be prepared to work on your skills!
If your boat has a motor on it, use it to steer it downwind while you set the sail.
Here’s a helpful tip: If the water in your dock is not deep or there is no pier, manually push the boat off the dock, drop the anchor in the sand and it will guide itself downwind!