Sailing Downwind

Having sailed next to Nick Craig when he was sailing Phantoms.
F 3-4 at Carsington some years ago.
1. He was often sailing by the Lee, loose rig and minimal kicker.
2. He was often turning to stay in the gusts and small
Wave patterns
3. Went from third to first on the run
The two in front were sailing high angles, one was a previous national champ.
I was the lead Solution at a combined event and followed Nick, as the Phantom fleet cane through the slower sution fleet. Almost fell in three times, but fortunately had watched the rooster vid so saved it. I overtook one of the Phantoms as well.
I never sailed high on the run in a solution after that. Even started doing the by the Lee thing in a national 12. Was quick there too, but easier to get the boom forward.

Boats with spinnakers are a different breed.

Andy


Edited by andymck - 03 Sep 20 at 3:31pm

Originally posted by ian.r.mcdonald Approach your club superstar and get them to follow you around and give you feedback. After 50 years sailing I learnt more in a hour with our local multi class national champ than ten books. But dont tell anyone as they may not be RYA qualified!

It works in sub planing conditions too, if more subtly. Head up and get the better flow and some apparent wind, and you can slide down again and keep the sail working more efficiently.

The Minisprint is best gybing boat I have ever sailed, in any wind strength, on a long leg I would not hesitate to swing from gybe to gybe, also with its chine, it sails well by the lee, so various options.

So: having started the leeward leg, do I keep the burgee pointing backwards and sail with the mainsail stalled in an apparent wind of 4 kts or do I turn up just a teeny weeny bit and bring the apparent wind more or less onto the beam and the leeward tell tales attached? I guess I could go to YouTube and dig out some races from the Stars, Lasers,Finns and 470s and see what they do. Volvos, 18ft Skiffs, GP32s and F50s are not quite as relevant!