What exactly is wandering?
Wander is the movement a boat maintains after its propulsion has been cut off. Like a car that continues on its way if left unbraked, a boat continues to glide over the water, gradually slowing down due to the resistance of the water and wind. The heavier and faster a boat is, the longer it will take to stop.
This inertia plays a key role in navigation. Without headway, it's difficult to control a boat, since it's the movement in the water that enables the rudder to be effective. With too much headway, on the other hand, you run the risk of coming in too fast and lacking precision when maneuvering.
Why is wander so important for manoeuvring?
Headway is essential for good boat handling. When docking, for example, you need to control your speed. Too much headway and you'll hit the dock, too little and you'll lose control at the last moment.
When you want to change direction, headway is just as crucial. If it's well managed, the boat responds smoothly to the helm. If it's too weak, the rudder becomes ineffective and you need to boost propulsion a little to maintain control.
In confined spaces such as harbors and channels, poorly controlled headway can quickly become a problem. Too much residual speed makes trajectories difficult to adjust, increasing the risk of collision or unintentional drift.
Mistakes to avoid with error
Poor wander management can lead to two problematic scenarios:
- On the one hand, a boat without headway becomes virtually uncontrollable. The rudder no longer has enough water to be effective, and if there's wind or current, the boat can lurch uncontrollably.
- On the other hand, too much headway complicates stops and makes maneuvers risky. Coming alongside too quickly, entering a lock in the wrong order or taking too long a course can quickly turn into an incident.
When anchoring, it is preferable to arrive on the water rather than using the motor until the last moment. This allows the anchor to be set more cleanly, and prevents it from dragging unnecessarily before it is firmly attached to the bottom.
In a lock, the right amount of headway is essential to avoid bumping into the walls, and to moor smoothly. Too much speed, and you're bound to crash. Too little, and you risk losing control at the last moment.
When navigating in a channel or harbour, headway must be adjusted according to the space available. Too fast, and you risk not being able to turn properly. Too slow, and you lose precision and can be carried away by the wind or current.
How do you manage your wanderlust?
The trick is to anticipate. Don't wait until the last moment to slow down. By progressively reducing propulsion, you can keep your wander under control, allowing you to stop in the right place without losing control.
The rudder and bow thrusters are also valuable allies. At low speeds, the rudder loses effectiveness, while the thrusters allow you to compensate and adjust steering without the need for speed.
Last but not least, you must always take external factors into account. Sailing into the wind helps to reduce headway naturally, whereas a tailwind prolongs it and requires even greater anticipation.
