Mixed class starting strategies

Surely a trusty pin end start is actually what you want? We used to sail against a fleet of F/balls at Datchet, and basically were exactly the same speed to windward VMGwise.  They pointed higher, we went lower and quicker, so if we started with one on the leebow, we were stuffed. Get the pin end start, and you can sail for the speed that your design likes, to maximise the grip you are getting from the daggerboard. Of course this does leave you open if the wind lifts significantly - favouring the committee end starters, but the second major rule is always to tack and cross in front the moment that you think you can.  That takes a bit of b**ls and practice, but puts you into phase before all the boats trapped by each other....the other problem of sailing a boat that doesn't point or accelerate as fast as the slower boats around you. Good luck though, let us jnow how you do....!!

Originally posted by mike ellis a boat width and a half for me is more than a boat length, 7ft wide, 15ish ft long.

I'm not that good at maths, but even I can see the flaw in this calculation...

I'd always start on port in planing conditions with that mix of boats if you're in a boat that just goes sideways when stopped. If you come hammering in on a reach on port under the slow or stopped lasers, you'll only need a gap of about a boat width and a half to get through. Even if it all goes wrong and there isn't a gap and you end up going behind the committee boat, the loss isn't that great as a tack back onto starboard and then onto port around the committee boat's bow and you're out into clear wind pretty quickly.
I used this technique quite a bit in club races in the B14, and it usually worked even though the wings made it over 10 feet wide! It does scare the laser sailors a bit though to see you heading for a gap they wouldn't be able to tack through

Just don't try it in a long boat .... it certainly wouldn't work for an FD as although almost as fast, it will take nearly twice as long to cover its own length as it's nearly twice as long as a 29er!!

Another option for those whos priority is clean air is come in behind the front row on Starbord at the committee boat end with speed and be the first to tack onto Port for clean air.

Originally posted by ChrisJ How long are the start lines? How biased are they to one end or the other? You might find that its well worth starting at the "wrong" end in clear wind, just so you can start at speed and get clear. The other option is to identify the people who finish towards the back of the fleet, and make sure you start next to them! They will always leave more of a gap and be less aggressive on the start lines than those that finish at the front.

Start line is very short. Course is small as well. Optimized to run 4 races in one afternoon. Good advice. Thanks

 

Originally posted by English Dave This is a similar problem to wrighty's ( http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3 363&PN=3) Best advice, assuming a windward start is to do a port-hand flyer, ducking the whole starboard fleet if necessary. You'll be in clear air and get up to your max speed and height. By the time you reach the top mark, the Lasers will be long gone.

Yikes.. How did I miss that thread. Sorry for the repetition.

Originally posted by m_liddell A great way of slowing the 29er down by the line is sinking the transom, just don't overdo it!

Will try it. I know this sure slows me down when I do it unintentionally.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Something new to try next time.