Secure the sails. Fasten the lower front part (tack) of the fock and jib to their brackets on the boom and bow of the boat.
You will find a small fishing line (mainsail) securing the back of the fock (tack) to the boom and its duckbill. Tighten it to your strength. This tension will hold the sail in place.
Lift the fok by pulling down its halyard until it stops. It will dangle (drive) like mad, but this is normal for a short period of time. (Excessive drive will greatly reduce the viability and life of the sail).
The leading part of the sail (leading luff) should be taut enough to eliminate creases, but not so tight as to create vertical stripes in the sail.
Near the halyard will be the weft, where it descends from the top of the mast. Fasten the halyard to the duck. With the halyard of the jib, raise the front sail (jib, genoa or simply, front sail), untie the halyard. Both sails will now be free to furl. I always hoist the foxtail first, then the jib, as it is easier to steer the boat downwind with the foxtail.
Correct course and steer with a tailwind. Boats cannot go straight downwind. As will be shown below, the red part of the chart shows the “non-moving” area under sail. In order to sail downwind, the boat must sail at a 45-50 degree angle to the wind and change direction by tacking (or zigzagging).
Turn the boat right rudder or left rudder so that it is almost perpendicular to the wind. This is also called a tack.
Tighten the mainsail until the sail is about 45 degrees off the stern. This will be a safe place for the focal point while you select the jib.
You will start to move and become deflected from the wind (lurch). A roll of more than 20 degrees usually indicates that the force of the wind is too great. Immediately release the mainsail (break the mainsail), this will reduce the roll and you will return to a more comfortable 10-15 degree angle.
Select the jib sheet. Even though the forefoot goes up first, you choose the jib first. There are two headsails, one on each side. Pull the sheet on the opposite side to the wind direction (leeward side). This is the active sheet, while the other is called the lazy sheet.
The jib will become crooked or pocket-shaped; pick the sail until the leading edge is no longer driven. Keep your hands on the rudder and stay on course!
Select the foresail. Let go of the mainsail until the leading edge starts to drivetrain, then pull back until the drivetrain stops.
If you or the wind doesn’t change direction, this will be the right place to set the sails. If things change, you need to correct them accordingly.
You have just entered the world of sailing and you will have to learn a lot at once or suffer the consequences.