Lee-Bow..... Windsurfers...etc (Dons tin hat)

It happened co incidently this very weekend almost the entire fleet took an early tack which in the face of it was the right thing to do, but the tide actually curves across the course, so as they initialy set off they have the tide on the lee bow, then as they continue up the beat they can try the bit where we all agree pinching to keep it there doesn't work until they pass the point where it is no longer on the leebow, whereas a short tack further out to ensure a better angle keeps a stronger lee bow force in place the entire beat even though we are all essentially on the same tack.

I can see I'll have to come up with another term for it, fluid vector confluence, or something similarly confusing maybe then it'll stick.

It is true that the words 'lee bow effect' are confusing especially as they describe the effect of the boat beneath you off the start line, which is why I used the tidal prefix.

Tide may well be like a conveyor belt in some places, but it ain't where I sail, nor is it in the multiple places I have sailed this past forty years from Whitely to Pevensey Bay, Hartlepool to Hayling, Felixtowe to Falmouth, Plymouth to Portland and without it sailing would be a much duller activity.

Tide for us coastal sailors makes up for not having the shifts inland sailors enjoy in my view and many a time it's provided, just like last sunday, a get out of jail free card.

I think it requires a different mindset, you have to think of yourself as existing between two moving fluids and work out the best way to have the sum of their joint forces working for you.

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by iGRF ...you have to think of yourself as existing between two moving fluids... Which is exactly what is happening anyway.

Obviously, but lots of folk don't think like that, they focus on the wind and other boats, when the real focus should be the next mark and the fastest approach you can make to it.

Another thought - if you were on the beach watching this going on all you would see would be the small movement forward of the two boats and the significant move sideways from the boat that was pointing higher-I think that even I would be converted seeing that!

Does the tide push on your lee bow? NO as others have said consider it as a conveyor belt. Can the tide change your apparent wind which would change how high you point? YES