Leeward mark round - advice

   In a handicap race, Lasers Vs menagerie of other boats, Lasers can point downwind almost directly at the leeward mark - the other boats sailing at wider angles due to the stayed masts. This sometimes enables Lasers to achieve an overlap with boats which were previously ahead before the two boat length as they sail less distance, etc.

So for example if sailing a Laser there is boat to your side at the mark which you can claim water on, but there are also a few boats ahead of you which you are now beginning to cover and therefore slower than you. What should you do to slow down to avoid contact with the boat ahead, baring in mind that you are pointing directly downwind and have little room either side (leeward boat - mark) to alter your course.

I guess pull in the mainsheet, outhaul, push down the centreboard and even jump back to the rear of the boat to cause additional drag. Or should you just not get into such a scenario and sail a wider angle around the leeward mark and queue up behind all the other boats. Your advice would be appreciated, cheers?

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Nudge Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nudge Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Leeward mark round - advice Posted: 20 Jul 07 at 12:38pm
	In a handicap race, Lasers Vs menagerie of other boats, Lasers can point downwind almost directly at the leeward mark - the other boats sailing at wider angles due to the stayed masts. This sometimes enables Lasers to achieve an overlap with boats which were previously ahead before the two boat length as they sail less distance, etc. So for example if sailing a Laser there is boat to your side at the mark which you can claim water on, but there are also a few boats ahead of you which you are now beginning to cover and therefore slower than you. What should you do to slow down to avoid contact with the boat ahead, baring in mind that you are pointing directly downwind and have little room either side (leeward boat - mark) to alter your course. I guess pull in the mainsheet, outhaul, push down the centreboard and even jump back to the rear of the boat to cause additional drag. Or should you just not get into such a scenario and sail a wider angle around the leeward mark and queue up behind all the other boats. Your advice would be appreciated, cheers?

elmo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 31 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote elmo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 07 at 1:34pm
	Go wide of the mark and "queue up" so that you go round the mark with a good rounding next to the buoy. You just need to make sure that you slow down enough not to become overlapped with the boats ahead. (Either to leeward, so you hve to give them room to round and are not on the inside anymore, or to windward where you have no water and are going to get screamed at!). The laser has to give you enough space to do this. You just have to watch that in going wide of teh mark to join the queue that you do not go outside the 2 boatlengths and then have to give water to other boats coming from behind. This shouldnt be a problem unless you are in a big fleet.

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 07 at 1:35pm
	When approaching the mark with lots of other boats, I would sail right round the outside to avoid rafting up. So if you could duck behind the boat at your side's transom and then sail round...
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

English Dave Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 06 Location: Northern Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 682	Post Options Post Reply Quote English Dave Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 07 at 2:43pm
	It's not an uncommon tactic for a leading boat to slow down big-style when inside the two boat-length circle at the leeward mark. As you will know it forces the overtaking boat to the outside of you. As you both round the mark you are to windward of the other boat, and he is blanketed by you with little room to escape and no opportunity to overtake. However, Nudge, you seem to be in the overtaking boat. The best thing to do in my opinion is to join the queue. Go as tight as you can to the mark to get clear air as you start beating again. You also have the opportunity to tack away from the others. If you go wide round the mark you will be in somebody's dirty air and to leeward which limits your options markedly.
	English Dave Ballyholme Yacht Club (You'd think I'd be better at it by now) Hurricane 5.9 SX RS700

redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jul 07 at 6:44pm
	If you really want to slow down in that situtaion try brutal side to side movements of the tiller.

getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jul 07 at 10:17am
	sit on top of the rudder to slow yourself down and round inside if you can, otherwise go round the outside, clear (quick) exit is more important than a fast entry in almost any rounding, tactics permitting
	Feeling sorry for vegans since it became the latest fad to claim you are one

Nudge Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nudge Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 07 at 9:27pm
	Cheers for the advice – with regards aggressively moving the tiller back and forth (tried it at the weekend before a race and it does slow the boat down a treat) is it legal when racing? Usually exaggerated tiller movement is assumed to be creating momentum, so if you did it to slow down would other competitors/ race officer think you were cheating. (Answered the question myself) Just checked the rule book, so think it should be fine, though cannot recall seeing anybody do it in a race. Rule 42.1: Except when permitted in rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed. Rule 42.3 (e): A boat may reduce speed by repeatedly moving her helm.