Waves and more waves

So a bit of a Homer Simpson question.

What are the best techniques for sailing in waves when on the beat, reaching out to the wing mark and running down to the leeward? Obviously a lot depends upon the type of boat you sail but I am only after some basics (which are usually too easily forgotten about) and I'm not worried about the quickest route eg high, low or by the lee but really just dealing with the wavey stuff. Too many times when sailing upwind I find my little boat resembling a nodding dog!

Thanks

Dics (my nodding dog is really a 300).

Thanks for the advice.

I usually head up as I go up the front of the wave and then bear off as I go down the back. This can be down quite effectively by just sheeting in and using the hull profile to steer the boat. Also I try to time it so to keep as much of the length of the hull that is in the water as possible. This is to keep the water length at is maximum for speed as well as helping not to smash into the next wave.

This is just what I have found intuitive and wondered if it was correct.

Thanks again.

Im not sure about other boats or if this really is the best thing to do, but we had pace with some of the fastest boats upwind at the 29er nats. As soon as we saw bigger chop approaching we would crack off a couple of degrees and have the boat going as fast as possible when we hit the chop, winding the height back on afterwards

the faster you go the less gusts blow you sideways though, if I were light id be making the most of every lull to bear off and gain as much speed as possible

Sailing in waves?

Doh, where shall I start. A lot depends on what kind of waves.

Lots of questions, are they tidal ( I don't mean tsunami tidal) I mean is
there current involved, and are they wind with current or wind against
tide.

Then there's the wave speed, are they travelling faster or slower than you.

Then there's the height thing, how much is the rise and fall.

Then there's the how much wind in relation to the wave thing.

All offer different techniques and opportunity for advantage to you, and
disadvantage to your opponent if he or she doesn't spot any of what's
going on.

Far be it from me to get off on one here, especially in such esteemed
company, and I'm also coming from a bit of a beginner angle here trying
to make a boat do the same as what years of making a board do by
instinct has proved successful. Lots of it is transferable especially the
down wind in waves bit.

You can use waves to overcome an unfavorable current, just dont get
stuck in a trough.

You can use faster waves than slower shorter waves when the currents
favorable.

Up wind, sometimes avoiding the waves pays, sometimes they can be a
sign of a faster moving windward current, so go get in there and work
them.

If they're slamming footing off and powering through them is best.

If there's not a lot of wind but the waves are big, the rolling effect under
the wave surface (and look up jefferies sheltering theory) can help with
some times sheeting out and in to balance, to legally propel you faster by
sheeting out staying upright as the wave approaches then sheeting in on
the recovery.

There's simply too much to put in a single forum post, it's an entire
chapter of a tactical sailing book, how to deal with waves, but one thing
to definitely do, make them your friend, annoying buggers that they can
be when they're icy cold and smack you in the face. they do make sailing
more fun.