Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn

@snowbodhi said in Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn:

Nice diagram. I love this series of strategy articles you’ve been putting together.

With this manoeuvre does it not risk putting your stern at risk of their starboard broad side? I’m sure it wouldn’t be for long, but it seems to open you to a volley of guns.

Curious to know how it’s worked out in practice.

It absolutely does put the sloop at risk if the two ships are close together. Any galleon crew worth their salt will know to continue straight, if the sloop doesn't get back on course quick the galleon will get a free broadside attack on the sloop's stern and still be able to turn and pull up on the sloop's far side depending on the wind.

This sloop-juke is more likely to work if the galleon is at a medium following distance (not super close or far) since the sloop would be out of range if the galleon continued straight (not following too close) or have time to get back on course (following too far).

Then again, due to most people being unfamiliar with sailing tactics and even more crews being disorganized this maneuver will probably have a higher-than-expected success rate until it becomes commonly known.

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In practice, unless conditions are perfect for the sloop-juke I'd probably instead recommend performing tight turns around obstacles (islands or rocks) as it's a highly effective way to gain distance and discourage galleon pursuers. If the enemy is close, drop some powder kegs in the water for them to hit.

Try to avoid encounters in open ocean since this largely robs the sloop of its maneuvering advantage. In a bind set your ship straight, hop off and try to board their ship to drop their anchor, or do "sail-bys" on outpost islands to drop off your loot and mermaid back to the ship. Seeking storms isn't a bad last-ditch either.

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Not trying to bash this sloop-juke as it's good to add to any pirate's playbook, just be aware that it will be easily countered by an experienced crew.

@dreifois said in Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn:

@zagwitz Awesome, thank-you, I love such diagrams!!

You say the direction of the wind isn't very important, but the whole manoeuvre is based upon an actual change of sail angle by the galleon, right? So it should be important after all, shouldn't it?

That's actually a very good point and learning which way to turn due to wind is actually important but also advanced, hence not including it in the guide. If the wind is directly astern the turn direction does not matter very much as they will only turn their sails 90 degrees at most. You want to force the Galleon into a situation where they have to tack as that requires the sails to have to be brought all the way to the opposite side. To do this you also need to tack so the optimal turn would be to bring your bow through the wind. Whether you choose to do that on the fake or the second turn is up to you! Sorry if it's not very clear.

@misterdoomed said in Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn:

@zagwitz said in Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn:

Following on from my earlier guide here I bring you 'The Juke Turn'. I have found this to be very effective and is easy enough to pull of solo and can work in a lot of situations. It's also very adaptable and can easily be turned into an offensive flanking manoeuvre.

Enjoy!

I made a topic earlier suggesting everyone put thier how to guids in it to help struggling players....it got ignored but i do like that you put a help guide out.
Need more of these for some players to use.

I'm planning to release three of four of these a week so hopefully they will become a good and helpful tool for new players.

@snowbodhi said in Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn:

Nice diagram. I love this series of strategy articles you’ve been putting together.

With this manoeuvre does it not risk putting your stern at risk of their starboard broad side? I’m sure it wouldn’t be for long, but it seems to open you to a volley of guns.

Curious to know how it’s worked out in practice.

Glad you like them, i'll be putting lots more out! it certainly does and that's where this manoeuvre becomes more difficult as not only do you need to sell it well but also make a good judgement call based on distance and wind direction.

The sloops stern will almost always be on target for a broadside during the turn but you have several advantages if they choose to broadside you.

1. Them broadsiding you means they are either giving up the turn with the hope of sinking you or making a late turn. If they are looking to make a late turn you can increase your turn angle and make it even more difficult for them to catch up.

2. A broadside to your stern while you are sailing away will give them 5 - 10 seconds of time before you are well out of range.

3. The Sloops stern is actually very well placed to soak shots as the quarterdeck overhangs the hull of the ship quite nicely.

Hope this helps!

@dreifois said in Evasive Manoeuvres - Sloop - The Juke Turn:

@zagwitz I still make a bit of confusion with these nautical terms... when you say "If the wind is directly astern the turn direction does not matter very much as they will only turn their sails 90 degrees at most.", you mean when we're sailing towards the direction of the wind, so downwind, right?
If so, I would say that the wind is directly forward, not astern. It's obviously a mistake, because I have zero experience on the matter, but why?

When I refer to the wind as being astern I meant the wind is coming from behind us. I should technically refer to it as the ship is 'running' meaning the wind is coming from stern to bow, or that the ship is stern leeward, meaning the stern is the closest to the wind. Hope this explains it better!

Try a juke turn as a rock or island passes between you and your pursuer, creating a blind spot. Let them see you turn one way just before they lose sight of you, then turn hard the other way.

@zagwitz I do that in a gallion but we don't use anchor. we raise the front and mid sail and you turn pretty sharp without losing a lot of speed.