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Sutton Sailing Club
Sailing Tips Number 1
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Tactics - the Golden Rules
This first set of sailing tips comes from New Zealand. Some club members also sail in races on the sea so I have left the references to sea sailing in. I have also added the occasional query. If anyone can answer them then please add a comment to the blog or, better still, answer in a new blog post.
Avoid being blanketed.
Avoid the hopeless position.
Avoid being lee - bowed (ask someone what being lee-bowed means).
Start near the forward (upwind) end of the start line.
Ignore the position of the windward mark when deciding where to start (provided the first leg is a beat).
Keep in the front rank before the start.
Take a transit so you know when you are on the line.
Keep between your opponent and the next mark.
Off wind, keep your wind clear and try to sail straight for the next mark.
Strategy - the Golden Rules
On a short beat keep to the right - hand side of the course. (anyone know why?)
Find out which way the current or tide is flowing.
Head for deep water and the outside of bends when the tide is with you (the opposite when the tide is against you).
If everything is equal, tack up a 60 - degree cone. (Why?)
Stay well inside the lay lines.
Tack on headers.
Sail towards the centres of wind bends.
On a one - sided beat, sail the long leg first. (Why?)
When sailing cross - tide, point into the tide and use a transit to sail a straight course over the land.
Gybe on wind shifts.
Choose the gybe that takes you most directly to the leeward mark.
Keep strong tides under your lee bow.
Go for the downwind end of the finish line.
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