Home Blog

I Was Early and Still Lost the Start

Brett Bowden
-
0
I Was Early and Still Lost the Start

Last weekend, I did what most sailors think is “the hard part” of starting well. I Was Early and Still Lost the Start.

Time-on-distance felt good. I had space. I could see the line clearly. With about 25 seconds to go, I was exactly where I wanted to be — bow down, speed under control, front row.

And yet, 90 seconds after the gun, I was already fighting to stay in touch. Nothing dramatic happened. No collisions. No bad luck. Just a slow, steady bleed of control that cost me places before the first shift even mattered.

The problem wasn’t my timing; it was what I did after I got there early.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

The Mistake: Confusing “Early” With “In Control”

Here’s the trap: When sailors get early, they often stop sailing the boat.

I eased into position, slowed too much, and waited. I focused on holding the spot rather than managing the approach. Boats to leeward accelerated late. Boats to windward rolled with speed. I was technically early — but tactically passive.

Being early without control is just being a target.

Starts aren’t won by arriving early. They’re won by arriving early with options.

Why This Hurts Results

When you park the boat early:

You lose acceleration authority, you give away leverage to faster boats, and you’re forced to react instead of dictate. Even a half-knot difference in boat speed in the final 10 seconds decides whether you launch cleanly or get rolled.

From there, the damage compounds:

You’re immediately in dirty air, your first lane disappears, and your upwind plan is already compromised. That’s how “a good start” quietly turns into a mid-fleet first beat.

The Fix: One Timed, Repeatable Final Approach

The solution is simple — and uncomfortable at first. Instead of arriving early and waiting, commit to a timed final approach every start.

Don’t stop sailing the boat until the gun.

That means:

Pick one approach window (e.g. 20–25 seconds). Stay in a controllable, accelerating mode and adjust angle, not just speed. If you’re early, don’t park — you extend slightly, soak height, or feather while staying live.

Your only job in the final 20 seconds is to protect acceleration.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

Below is a one-page, print-friendly Start Routine checklist designed to sit in your sailing bag or on your phone.

SAILING TO WIN – START ROUTINE CHECKLIST

1. BEFORE THE SEQUENCE (5–10 minutes to go)

Objective: Decide how you want to start — not where you hope to be.

  • Identify line bias (quick sight, no over-analysis)
  • Identify first-beat priority (pressure side or track)

Decide your start style:

  1. Conservative + lane 
  2. Aggressive + leverage
  3. Defensive (protect one side)

2. FINAL MINUTE SETUP (1:00 to 0:30)

Objective: Be early with options, not parked with a Clear escape option identified: Forward, Bear away, Bail late. The boat is: Flat, Acceleratable, Not in bad air.

3. FINAL APPROACH (0:30 to GUN)

Non-Negotiable Rule: Do not stop sailing the boat. Commit to one final approach. No full stops. Adjust angle first, speed second and protect acceleration at all costs.

When you are early:  Extend slightly, Feather with flow, Stay live.

If you are late: Bow down early, build speed immediately, accept a small gap — never pinch.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

4. AT THE GUN (0 to +10 seconds)

Objective: Launch clean, not perfect. Speed on, Lane usable, Bow free.

Ignore: Line aesthetics, who “won” the start, noise, and ego around you.

5. FIRST 90 SECONDS CHECK – Ask one question only: “Do I have speed and control?”

YES: 

  1. Hold the lane

2. Sail your mode

3. Execute the beat plan

NO: 

  1. Fix your speed first

2. Next – angle

3. Last – positioning

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

REMEMBER

  • Early = in control

  • Most starts are decided in the last 20 seconds

  • Speed + options beat perfect positioning every time

The Role of The Tactician

Brett Bowden
-
0
The Role of The Tactician

If you’ve been racing for a while, at some point you’ll start thinking about stepping into the tactician role.

Every crewed boat needs one person responsible for where the boat goes and how it gets there. That responsibility has to sit with one individual. I’ll say this plainly—trying to make tactical decisions by committee during a race simply doesn’t work. There’s too much happening, too fast, and everyone already has a job that demands full attention.

If you want to be a good tactician, start by understanding the role properly—what it is, and just as importantly, what it isn’t.

What the role actually is

The tactician is not the skipper and not “in charge” of everything.

A better way to think about it is:

Comparable roles would be a quarterback calling plays, a point guard directing flow, or an operations manager ensuring execution. Important, yes—but still part of a team structure.

The strongest teams are built on individuals doing their jobs well. Your job is to make clear, timely decisions that allow everyone else to perform theirs.

Preparation: this is where it starts

Good tacticians don’t turn up and “wing it”.

Before the event:

  • Read the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions thoroughly
  • Understand the course area—charts, geography, known patterns
  • Review the forecast and expected conditions
  • Know the logistics (start times, formats, scoring)

Then communicate early with the team:

  • Conditions and expectations
  • Daily timing
  • Objectives for the regatta
  • Any updates or changes

This isn’t admin—it’s leadership. If you are organised and clear from the outset, you’ll get buy-in immediately.

At the venue: gather intelligence

Before racing begins:

  • Attend the briefing
  • Pay attention to how the race committee is thinking
  • Build a basic rapport where appropriate

You’re looking for context—anything that might influence how racing is run. Small details can matter.

Before racing each day, align the team

Run a short, structured pre-brief:

  • Schedule and race format
  • Conditions
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Communication plan

One critical rule—control the noise.

You cannot process input from everyone. Nominate one experienced crew member as your primary feedback source for:

  • Relative speed and height
  • Traffic
  • Wind development

Everyone else focuses on execution.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

During the race: clarity wins

Once the sequence starts, your job is to stay composed and think ahead.

  • Keep communication short and precise
  • Describe what’s happening and what’s likely next
  • Keep your eyes out of the boat at all times

Above all, anticipate.

You should be preparing the team for situations before they happen:

  • “Boat on starboard, we’re not crossing—prepare to duck.”
  • “If they tack, we respond immediately.”

This gives the crew time to act, rather than react.

The start: high pressure, high impact

The start is where alignment between the tactician and helm is critical.

Be clear on:

Key points:

  • Define your position on the line early
  • Avoid unnecessary congestion
  • Protect space, particularly on port approaches
  • Use one consistent time caller

Consistency here is far more valuable than trying to be clever.

Leeward gates: decide early, commit

Gate roundings are busy moments, and your crew will be fully occupied.

That means:

  • Make the call early
  • Keep reinforcing it as you approach
  • If uncertain, communicate your current preference

Avoid last-second changes—they rarely work in your favour.

You are always balancing two things:

  • Course advantage
  • Traffic and clean air

A clean, well-executed rounding beats a risky late switch.

After each race: reset immediately

Once a race is finished, move on.

Don’t overreact to results—good or bad. Maintain a steady approach and focus on the next start.

Over a series, consistency of mindset matters just as much as performance.

End of day: debrief with purpose

Debriefs are valuable, but only if done properly.

Avoid rushed, emotional discussions straight off the water.

A better approach:

  • Debrief when the team is settled
  • Keep it constructive and focused

Start with:
“What can I do better?”

Then work through the group.

The objective is improvement, not blame.

After the regatta: close the loop

Follow up with a short summary:

  • What worked
  • What didn’t
  • What can improve next time

Invite feedback.

The best teams treat this as an ongoing process, not a one-off conversation.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Final thought

Good tacticians are not defined by one decision or one race.

They:

  • Prepare thoroughly
  • Communicate clearly
  • Stay composed
  • Think ahead
  • Build trust within the team

Do that consistently, and you don’t just make better calls—you make the entire team better.

TRIM FOR VARYING WIND AND SEA CONDITIONS

Brett Bowden
-
0
TRIM FOR VARYING WIND AND SEA CONDITIONS

Trim for varying Wind and Sea Conditions

When it comes to boat speed, most sailors know their trim settings in flat water and a steady breeze.

The real difference between a good sailor and a great one is the ability to adapt — making constant, subtle gear changes as the wind and sea conditions evolve.

Sailing isn’t static; neither should your setup be.

SAILING TO WIN BOOK & BONUSES

Understanding Why Gear Changes Matter

Think of your boat as a finely tuned machine. Every sail control, every rig adjustment, and every bit of crew movement changes how it behaves.

In light air, you’re searching for power and flow; in heavy air, you’re controlling heel and keeping balance. The aim is to keep the boat in the groove — always driving, never stalling, and never fighting the helm.

Making good gear changes is not about reacting to problems; it’s about anticipating them.

If you wait until you’re overpowered or wallowing in waves, you’ve already given away speed.

Great sailors are always half a step ahead, trimming or tuning in anticipation of what’s coming next.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Reading the Wind and Sea

Before making any adjustments, start by observing:

  • Wind strength: Is the breeze building, or are you in a lull? Are the gusts sharp or gradual?
  • Sea state: Are the waves long and rolling or short and steep? Longer waves let you steer more smoothly, while short chop demands extra power and careful balance.
  • Boat feedback: Your helm and sails will tell you everything. If you feel weather helm (when the tiller pulls against you) or you’re constantly feathering up, it’s time to depower. If the boat feels sluggish or the telltales droop, you need more power.

A Real Example: Adjusting Mid-Race

A few years ago, during a blustery state championship, I watched a top crew in the fleet make the most disciplined gear changes I’ve ever seen.

The race started in 12 knots but quickly built to 18 with a sharp chop.

Half the fleet left their setup from the first beat — vang on hard, outhaul tight — and as the breeze increased, they struggled.

The fast team, on the other hand, made small changes constantly. They eased the outhaul slightly for the first set of waves, then added more Cunningham as the wind filled.

When a lull hit mid-leg, they eased the vang just enough to power up again.

The result? They weren’t just faster — they were smoother. The boat stayed balanced, the crew’s rhythm never broke, and they rounded every mark in control.

That’s what great gear changing looks like — proactive, not reactive.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

Key Adjustments to Master

Increasing Breeze

  • Flatten the mainsail: tighten the outhaul and Cunningham to open the leech and reduce heel.
  • Tighten rig tension if adjustable; this controls mast bend and headsail shape.
  • Ease the traveller slightly to keep balance without pointing too high.
  • Shift crew weight to windward earlier than you think — balance is speed.

Lighter Winds or Flat Water

  • Ease the outhaul to add depth and power.
  • Reduce Cunningham to allow the sail’s draft to move aft for more acceleration.
  • Keep the vang just firm enough to maintain leech tension without closing the top of the main.
  • Move crew weight forward to reduce drag and keep the boat’s transom clear of the water.

Choppy Seas

  • Don’t depower too much — you’ll need a fuller sail to punch through waves.
  • Ease the sheets slightly to maintain flow and drive.
  • Focus on smooth steering — aim to guide the boat over the waves rather than through them.
  • Use heel to your advantage; a gentle, consistent heel helps the boat track and absorb chop.

Fine-Tuning Your Feel

No two days are the same. The most effective sailors are constantly feeling how the boat responds.

Is the pressure on the helm consistent? Is the boat accelerating cleanly out of tacks? Small adjustments every few minutes — even a quarter-turn on the vang or a slight tweak on the traveller — keep you tuned in and connected.

A simple mental trick: check three things constantly — Boat speed, sail shape and helm feel.

If any of them change, it’s time to change gears.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Common Mistakes

  • Changing too late: If you’re reacting to problems rather than preventing them, you’re behind the game.
  • Over-adjusting: Big, sudden changes upset balance. Think small and frequent.
  • Ignoring sea state: Many sailors tune for wind alone, but waves often have a bigger impact on speed.
  • Neglecting feedback: If the boat feels sticky, don’t blame the conditions — make a change.

Action Conclusion: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

On the water this week, challenge yourself to stay ahead of the conditions. Don’t wait for the breeze to shift or the waves to slow you down — adjust early and often.

Every gear change is an experiment that teaches you more about your boat.

When the conditions change, act decisively: ease, tighten, move, or trim — then feel the difference. That’s where your real speed comes from.

Consistent, confident gear changing turns ordinary sailors into adaptable racers who thrive no matter what the course throws at them.

So next time you’re out there, make “anticipate and adjust” your mantra.

Your boat — and your results — will thank you.

CHANGING GEARS

Brett Bowden
-
0
CHANGING GEARS

Changing gears and knowing when and how is essential if you want to compete at the pointy end of the fleet.

How many times have you crossed the finish line in 5 knots, having started in 15-20 knots and realised that your rig and boat are still at their original settings?

Constantly think about settings as the breeze fluctuates.

I think most of us are good at adjusting our settings and rig tensions as the breeze increases, but conversely are less diligent as the breeze drops. Powering up is essential as the wind velocity drops, and this is where big gains can be made against the rest of the fleet.

Being slow to react to a change in conditions can be really costly. If you suddenly find you are going slow, don’t have the height of the boats around you, or that lane you had has now disappeared, think about why.

You are on the wrong tack and are frantically searching for another lane to tack into. The reason you are in this predicament is that while you were preoccupied trying to find a better lane, you hadn’t changed gear.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Why the best sailors constantly win

The best sailors can change gear effortlessly. While they are steering the boat fast, they can reach in and pull a little Vang or Cunningham on, or move the centreboard up or down without affecting boatspeed.

Most of us are reluctant to reach in to adjust controls and change gear, as our steering suffers. This results in the boat heading up or down, losing speed, while our more competent competitors slowly ease away.

Practising making adjustments on the fly during training sessions is essential to improve that aspect of your racing.

Crews must continually communicate about the feel as adjustments are made. Ensure that you give the boat and team time to settle in to confirm that the adjustment has been effective.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

 

Understand what effect each control has 

Understand what each of the controls on your boat does and the effect they have on the sail shape and trim.

Depending on the class and type of boat you sail, some controls will be more effective than others at depowering or powering up the rig. Most classes have a sailmaker’s guide on the fastest settings for your type of boat. Use these as a guide or starting point.

In many cases, the guide is generic and doesn’t take into account your team’s weight, the brand of mast you are using (to name a few) or the sea conditions you are encountering on the day.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Sailing at different venues 

Different venues with their associated conditions require different amounts of gear changing.

Speak with the locals at a new venue to see what to expect and plan accordingly. If the information is sparse and it is a multi-day regatta, arrive a day or so early and get out on the course to learn the conditions and plan accordingly.

Lake sailing is likely to be gusty with a large variation in wind velocity, requiring regular adjustment of the controls. If you are sailing at a venue with large headlands or high topography on one side of the course, plan for gusts and shifts.

Start by prioritising a couple of key controls to adjust. Often, it’s the Vang, Cunningham and outhaul, especially in a single hander like a Laser or Aero.

Work out what gives you the biggest “bang for your buck” in your boat and start with those.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Conclusion

Don’t try to gear change for every gust and lull. Not only will you quickly become exhausted, but you’ll be so busy with your head in the boat that you will lose sight of the bigger picture strategy.

The length of the gust or lull should determine whether to change gear or not.

Pre Start Intel

Brett Bowden
-
0
Pre Start Intel

Pre-start intel will have a great bearing on how you will finish in a race. You must get out on the course at least 45 minutes before the starting signal.

The things that you need to do are to make sure you are set up to go fast in the prevailing conditions, work out what is happening with the wind and do your starting line research.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Gather wind readings.

Sail upwind with the speed team, tweaking the rig and sails to get the best speed to match the wind strength and sea state. The tactical team will be working out the wind patterns and recording changes in direction to work out whether the shifts are oscillating or persistent.

Note the range of headings on port and starboard tacks and also determine the timing of shifts. This will help you to work out the mean direction on each tack and will enable the tactician to call tacks and Gybes so you sail the shortest possible distance between marks.

During this upwind fact-finding sail, you should also be taking note of other tactical considerations like current, potential geographic shifts and varying wind conditions across the course.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Set your boat up for speed.

Have a tuning partner and hit the track early with them to compare relative height and speed.

Upwind – If you’re pointing well but not going forward, make your sails flatter. If you have speed but no height, make the sails fuller and tighter leech, especially the main.

If you’re lower and slower, make sure you’re set up according to your sailmaker’s tuning guide. Experiment with different settings, and ask your tuning partner how they’re set up if they’re beating you.

Downwind – Try different sailing angles, crew placement and heel to work out which mode gives you the best VMG. This is where a tuning partner is essential.

The benefit of tuning before the race is that it allows you to gain confidence in your settings and boatspeed. This frees you up to look around while racing. Unprepared sailors have their heads in the boat trying to go fast, and their tactics suffer as a result.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Research the starting line.

Around 15 minutes before the start, begin getting your head in the race. Once the start line is set, commence your start line research and formulate your starting strategy.

Get a line sight by sailing to the end of the line away from the land and sight through the committee boat to an object on the land that is in line with both ends. Then sail down the line using that sight to get comfortable with being on the line.

Sail up the line to work out how long it takes to get to each end and keep an eye on the compass to mentally record the heading.

When the weather mark has been set, note its direction and then do a head to wind on the line to work out the line bias and favoured end.

Don’t be content with doing this once. Be prepared to carry this out continuously up until the start to track changes in wind direction as this will help to determine your race strategy.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

One final thing.

Do a brief upwind sail again to see if anything has changed. Check your compass again and make sure the boat still feels right for the conditions. Observe your angle compared to the line.

Visualise how the fleet will come off the line at that angle and factor that into your final game plan. Your angle off the line should correspond to the favoured-end research you did.

If not, then there’s either been a shift or the committee moved the line. Be prepared to re-jig your game plan.

BOOM VANG BASICS

Brett Bowden
-
0
BOOM VANG BASICS

Boom Vang Basics. The boom vang helps control and maintain mainsail twist, keeping your sail performance dialled in and offering opportunities to trim with more finesse. 

The vang control should be led back to where the helmsperson in a single-handed or small crewed boat can easily reach it without having to look down.

Likewise, on a larger, multi-crewed boat, the vang control should be positioned where the trimmer has instant, easy access.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Uses and effects of the vang

The vang assists in controlling the height of the boom and can, in some cases, provide extra stability.

Use the vang to counteract too much leech twist. This happens when the trimmer has reached the limits on the mainsheet or traveller.

When you ease the mainsheet, you sacrifice power and speed. As you ease the sheet, tighten the vang to maintain the angle of the boom (and so, the twist). 

How do we know when to adjust the vang?

Your upper leech tell-tales on your mainsail will tell you.

The vang is a useful tool at all angles, but is essential when beam reaching or wider. The vang will pull down on the boom and maintain a good upper leech angle, reducing mainsail luffing.

Vang Upwind

A crucial component of efficient upwind sail trim is twist. Different amounts of twist are needed depending on the prevailing wind and wave conditions.

When sailing upwind, twist is controlled using mainsheet and vang tension, and the correct twist is determined by using the mainsail telltails.

If your vang is pulled on too hard, you will not be able to add twist by easing the mainsheet.

When you sail into a lull, you need to adjust the mainsheet and vang tension. This gives the necessary twist to keep the telltails flying and to reduce drag. 

In light wind and choppy conditions, having the right vang tension will help to keep the boom from bouncing erratically.

In heavy air, the outhaul, backstay and Cunningham are on tight, plus the traveller will be down. To help with pointing, you will employ a combination of sheet and vang tension to keep power in the lower leech.

CLICK FOR FREE SAILING GLOVES

Vang when Reaching

When reaching, the vang is the only control that affects mainsail twist. As the boom is eased beyond the quarter of the boat with the traveller down, the mainsheet is no longer effective at holding the boom down, so the vang takes over.

A good indicator of good vang tension is if the top batten is as close to parallel with the boom as possible, usually ending up at 25° off parallel.

When tight reaching in windy conditions, it is important to be proactive rather than reactive with the vang, especially with a spinnaker up.

It is nearly always too late if you are waiting for the call “blow the vang”.

Vang when Running

When running, the mainsheet is completely ineffective at controlling mainsail twist. Pull the vang on to keep your top batten parallel to the boom.

This keeps the mainsail fully projected to the wind. 

A common mistake when running downwind in heavy airs is blowing the vang when the boat begins to roll.

In a panic, someone blows the vang, thinking it will prevent a broach, as it does on a reach. Unfortunately, the opposite happens. The mainsail depowers completely, the spinnaker takes over, and the imbalance can gybe the boat.

 

Psychology and Sailing

Brett Bowden
-
0
Psychology and Sailing

 

Psychology and Sailing – Thanks to mate Andy Rice of the Sail Juice newsletter for the next couple of paragraphs highlighted in italics.

When I read these, the folly of continuing to seek and then pay for the latest gear to give me an edge suddenly became apparent.

“In one-design racing, where your equipment is the same as everyone else’s, there are only two ways to beat your opponent – through superior physiology (your size, weight and fitness) or through superior psychology (just about everything else!).

Psychology is perhaps one of the most neglected parts of sailing – it’s always easier to mess around with your boat than with your mind, isn’t it! 

Sorting out the way your mental approach and the attitude you bring to your racing is one of the most effective ways of improving your results on the water.

Learning new mental skills will do you more good than buying a fancy new tapered mainsheet or auto-ratchet. What’s more, these skills will never wear out, and they won’t cost you a penny either!” 

Another great attribute of top sailors and champions is a Never Say Die attitude.

No matter how bad things get during a race, the best sailors do whatever it takes to get the job done.

There is a great reason for this, and that is, until the gun fires to greet the winner, anything can happen.

One of the skills of any elite athlete is the ability to set a goal.

Setting lofty goals is important, but it’s the process of achieving that goal that yields success or failure and your enjoyment of the process.

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

If I am the closest to perfection, I will win, right?  It is a dangerous mentality that often leads to unhappiness and can actually stop progress towards a goal.

A sailor with a perfectionist mindset is focused on the outcome, not the process.

These athletes tend to place unreasonable demands on themselves and are quick to criticise failures, which ultimately causes them to avoid failure altogether.

The perfectionist views other competitors and coaches as potential critics and therefore tends to avoid feedback.

Following is a list of the attributes needed for a sailor pursuing excellence:

  • Focus on the process of the task rather than the outcome.
  • Value themselves separately from the achievement. Based on the willingness to try rather than whether the goal was achieved.
  • Set realistic but challenging goals that are clear and specific.
  • Be willing to examine performance and personal vulnerabilities to improve.
  • Focus on achieving goals to attain personal satisfaction rather than the need of others to recognise their success.
  • Be prepared to risk failure because of the benefits that occur from taking a risk.
  • Recognise that change occurs with consistent effort over time. Have the patience to continue pursuing goals even when there is no immediate change.
  • Finds enjoyment and satisfaction in the pursuit of goals.

Final thoughts

Many sailors leave no stone unturned about their equipment, their practice of technique, and even their physical conditioning.

They seek help to accomplish this from sailmakers, coaches, and strength and conditioning trainers, and yet some stubbornly pursue improvement of their mental game on their own.

I have just finished reading the “Inner Game of Tennis” by W. Timothy Gallwey.  Although it is written about an unrelated sport, the psychological aspects are easily transferable to sailing.

We can’t tackle the psychological aspect of our sport on our own, and books like this increase our learning.

Minimise Sailing Risk

Brett Bowden
-
0
Minimise Sailing Risk

Minimise Sailing Risk and don’t take unnecessary chances!

The notes below were put together by super coach, sailing legend and good friend Dave Dellenbaugh of the Speed and Smarts newsletter. https://www.speedandsmarts.com/

To consistently finish near the top of the fleet, you must follow a conservative game plan. You should minimise risk or exposure by sticking to tactics and strategies that have a high probability of success.

Of course, there are situations when it’s all right (or even smart) to take a chance, but your general approach should be to avoid risky decisions, maneuvers, tactics and strategies.

Below are 13 ideas on how you can minimise risk around the race course. If you implement as many of these as possible, your finishes should be more consistently near the top of the fleet.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

Learn the racing rules.

Knowing the rules is the best way to avoid breaking any rules. Take some time to regularly review the rulebook. Besides reducing your risk, it will put you in a much stronger position tactically and help you stay in control of your race. (Don’t forget your class rules, too.)

Study the notice of race and sailing instructions.

If you really want to minimise risk-taking, don’t ever sail a race without reading all the regatta rules first. This is an easy, foolproof way to avoid the kind of embarrassing mistakes that can cost you a regatta.

Work hard on boatspeed.

Improving your boatspeed may be hard work, but it can give you a huge return with no risk at all. In addition, good boatspeed will help you recover from mistakes. It lets you take slightly bigger risks (in search of slightly bigger rewards) while reducing your downside.

Practice boat handling maneuvers, especially in heavy air.

When you’re racing, there is always at least a small risk whenever you perform a maneuver (e.g. heavy-air jibes). To minimise this risk, practice as much as possible, especially in stronger winds, and try to avoid high-risk maneuvers while racing.

Check over your boat and gear.

Another easy way to lose a race or regatta is by having something break. Therefore, if you want to reduce your risk, be sure to check your boat carefully before every race. Pay special attention to areas of high wear like the boom vang, hiking stick, hiking straps, halyards and so on.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

Aim to finish in the top three or five, not first.

If you try to win every race, you will probably take too many risks to beat all the other boats. A better idea is to aim for the top 5 or so instead. Just as you don’t need the best start to win a race, you don’t need first places to win a series.

Keep your head out of the boat.

To avoid bumps in the road, keep your eyes on where you’re going. Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. Keep the big picture firmly in mind so you won’t sail into a position where you are left with only high-risk options.

Avoid close encounters with other boats.

If you foul another boat, it can be very costly, especially if it’s early in a race. Therefore, to reduce risk, keep clear of other boats.

Be willing to take a penalty.

No one likes to admit they broke a rule or do circles in the middle of a race, especially when they’re not sure they were actually wrong. However, when you go to a protest hearing you typically have a 50% chance of losing.

So, if you really want to minimise risk, your best move is to take a penalty (be sure to read the SI’s to see what penalties apply)

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

Don’t take fliers.

The greater your separation from other boats, the more you are at risk. Therefore, stay away from the corners and laylines of the course, and avoid sailing off by yourself.

Make a strategic plan and follow it.

Much risk-taking results from decisions that are made on the spur of the moment. To avoid this, get out to the course area early, develop a race strategy and use this as your guide for decisions during the race. Of course, you should modify this as necessary during the race.

Sail the longer tack first.

In other words, stay on the tack where your bow is pointed closer to the next mark. This gives you the best chance of success because it will keep you closer to the middle of the course in a position where you can best play the windshifts and handle other boats.

Cover the boats behind you.

When you want to stay ahead of the boats behind you, cover them by positioning your boat between them and the next mark. This will minimise your risk of losing them.

STEERING A SAILBOAT FAST

Brett Bowden
-
0
STEERING A SAILBOAT FAST

Steering a sailboat fast is the responsibility of the helmsperson.

The rest of the crew takes care of tactics, strategy and sail trim, with the helmsperson concentrating on telltales, instruments and “feel.”

The role of steering is easier when the trimmers communicate with the helmsperson about sail trim, target speeds and so on.

Communication must go both ways. The helmsperson knows how the boat feels, and must constantly let the trimmers know whether the boat feels sluggish, overpowered or “in the groove.”

To steer, you have to turn the boat continually. Some of these course changes are very small, such as when you want to pinch slightly upwind. Other times, like tacking, you have to turn the boat through a large change of course.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

There are three ways to make a boat turn:

  1. Rudder — The disadvantage of the rudder is that it functions as a brake. As soon as you turn it more than a little bit, the water flow separates and the rudder stalls.
  2. Sails — Using the sails to turn: If you want the bow to head up, trim the main and ease the jib. If you want the bow to head away from the wind, trim the jib and ease the main.
  3. Heel — When your boat is upright, the underwater profile is symmetrical, and it will go straight. When the boat heels to leeward, the underwater profile becomes asymmetrical, and the water flow makes it head up, producing windward helm. Conversely, windward heel makes the boat head down and produces lee helm.

When you are steering, you should use all three methods no matter how slight your course change, and this will keep the boat going as fast as possible.

Take Account Of the Conditions:

Keep track of everything that’s going on around the boat

  • What the waves are doing,
  • How fast is the boat going,
  • How close to the wind are you heading,
  • Your performance compared to other boats,
  • Approaching puffs and lulls.

You can’t afford to look at any one of these things alone and have to watch them all at the same time.

SAILING TO WIN BOOK AND BONUSES

Things the helmsperson needs to know:

  • Approaching waves and flat spots, and how severe they are.
  • Puffs and lulls, and how soon they will hit.
  • Changes in wind direction (predicted by using ripples on the water or other boats).
  • Pointing and speed relative to other boats
  • Meeting with other boats that may require a steering change
  • Continual update on genoa and mainsail trim.

Depending on the number in the crew and relevant skill levels, jobs should be given to different crew members. This keeps them involved and spreads the load.

Helm Load

About 3-5 degrees of rudder angle is fastest when sailing to windward.

If there’s too much weather helm, the rudder will create excess drag. Not enough weather helm means that you will lose some or all of your “feel.”

To decrease Helm – flatten the main (and genoa) by tensioning the backstay and outhaul. Move the crew weight outboard and aft and flatten the boat by pinching more and easing the traveller.

To increase Helm – move crew weight to leeward and forward to increase heel. Make the main and genoa more powerful by easing the backstay and outhaul, and add rake to move the sail plan aft.

The lift generated by the rudder helps the keel prevent the boat from sliding to leeward and reduces the leeway angle as well.

The Groove

Being “in the groove” is where the boat feels good and performs well. The goal of the helmsperson is to keep the boat in this groove as much of the time as possible.

You can make the groove wider and easier to find by giving the genoa a wider leading-edge angle and a more draft-forward shape. The disadvantage is that you won’t point as high as possible, and sometimes the windward telltale will seem insensitive to steering changes.

Reduce headstay sag to make a narrower, higher-pointing groove. Remember that the more you flatten out the front of the jib, the more “critical” the sail will become, and the harder it will be to stay in the groove.

Other Steering Tips

  • Chop vs. waves – Bear off and power through chop, but steer around waves – up the face and down the back side.
  • Light air – Keep the boat moving, or you will lose apparent wind and will have to accelerate again from scratch. The trimmer should communicate with the helmsperson to avoid stalling the boat.
  • Medium air – Concentrate on pointing, especially in flat water.
  • Heavy air – Note the angle of heel, steer and trim to keep the boat from excessive heel.  Take a bite to windward when overpowered. Bear off to sail through big waves and head up in flat spots.
  • Tacking – Use weather helm plus crew weight and sail trim in lighter air to let the boat head up slowly into the wind. As soon as the boat is head to wind, give the rudder a harder push to accelerate the turn.

How To Sail Faster

Brett Bowden
-
0
How To Sail Faster

There are 3 simple rules for how to sail faster. It’s easy to overcomplicate sailing, so let’s look at these simple rules to keep you focused on more speed.

FREE PDF BOOK – 49 TIPS

1. Sail In More Wind

Make sailing in more wind your number one priority. Dark patches on the water represent more wind. Wear polarised sunglasses to help you see the distinction between puffs and lulls on the water.

Stand on the boom in a keelboat and scan the course for the most wind. If you’re dinghy sailing, stand up to get higher so you can see further up the course.

You should always be asking yourself, “Am I sailing in the most wind available to me on the course that I am sailing?”

Having a clear lane gives you more wind as well. Wind follows the path of least resistance; it will flow over and around groups of boats. Remember, the bigger the group, the greater the effect, so avoid packs of boats, and you’ll have more wind.

If another boat tacks or gybes on you and closes down your lane, don’t sit in their shadow, gybe or tack away and find a better lane.

There may be a time when you consider sailing in a bad lane. This could happen when it is very shifty and the potential gain from the next shift outweighs the loss of speed. A 20 to 30 degree shift with pressure may justify sailing in bad air briefly.

2. Sail to the Mark

Your heading on one tack or gybe will point your bow more toward the mark than the other. The plan should nearly always be “Sail the long tack first”

This is the lifted tack upwind and the headed gybe downwind. The rule of thumb is to tack on headers upwind and gybe on lifts downwind.

If the wind is shifting or the course isn’t square, ask yourself, “If I were to tack or gybe now, would I be aiming more toward the mark?” This helps you make sure that you are always on the long tack.

If you are not sailing the long tack, make sure there is a very good reason.

A couple of good reasons to sail the short tack first are that you’re sailing toward more wind, getting a better lane, or sailing towards a significant gain, such as favourable current or a geographic shift.

Another exception is sailing into a heading persistent shift, but these are somewhat rare.

3. Keep it Simple

Keeping it simple means avoiding crowds, not tacking or gybing too much, and avoiding drama.

Minimise maneuvers as they slow you down, so doing fewer of them will help you go fast. In other words, sail straight and sail fast.

Avoid drama when you encounter another boat on the course; get in the habit of waving them through if you want a particular side of the course, even if you have rights.

There is nothing worse than forcing another boat to tack or gybe and then being lee bowed or becoming entangled in a hurried and failed crash gybe.

 

123...28Page 1 of 28