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

More fool us for feeding the troll. 

We are racing between two fluids that are in turn moving in some cases several different directions from the given marks we need to navigate about, to complete our course in the time permitted and the prize goes to the helm that does this the most efficient and quickly.

The confusion to me seems to stem from the thinking from the offshore world, where even that first example was wrong in the suggestion that a boat would deliberately sail over 8 hours with the tide on the weather bow when there was an option to have the tide on the lee. Given that tide changes and thus the opportunity for a 10 hour crossing could contain both tacks with tide on the favorable side.

We on the other hand seldom engage in races of over an hours duration so our tactical considerations should be initially to gain clear air, then boat speed on the side of the course that offers the shortest/quickest route to the mark and if that includes a judgement to have the tide on the lee bow then so be it. But if by all this discussion folk are given to believe that no advantage can be gained from this, in the right circumstances, then you are doing your fellows a disservice.



Edited by iGRF - 24 Sep 19 at 11:13pm

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by Hitcher . You are correct. It is unlikely (impossible) to happen. Improbable, unlikely, but not impossible. Or are you suggesting the OP simply lied about the 'effect' his son discovered whilst sailing with a group of other youngsters on sailboards in adverse current, that precipitated this particular discussion?

I don't think there's much doubt that while an understanding of the underlying physics is helpful, its no substitute for a really good feel for wind and water.

Edited by JimC - 25 Sep 19 at 11:37am

Originally posted by Sussex Lad Been following this subject in various incarnations on here for 10 yrs or so. A fellow club member (a past Merlin Champ) who reckons it works also pointed it out to me way before I saw it on here.If I followed it correctly: If sailing up wind with the tide on the weather bow and by pinching a few degrees I can get the tide on the lee bow I will get a big lift to the mark.Well, since being told about it many years ago I've been looking for opportunities to try it out. We sail on the channel and get a slightly stronger tide than at Hythe. To be quite honest, the number of times that the tide and wind have been in a suitable direction to give it a go have been very far and few between. The ideal circumstances that may make it possible are almost as rare as a lottery win.On the very few times (perhaps a handfull in 15yrs or so) that it has occurred I have noticed no benefit that overcomes the loss occurred by pinching. The tide has to be at a guess within 2 or 3 degrees of close hauled. ...If it does work, I suppose it might give benefit once every 10 years if you happen to be in front with no dirty air and the wind remains steady, which it hasn't much this year. More benefit long term if you evacuate your bowels and blow your nose beforehand.......so let me introduce the suppository and hanky theory

You didn't say where you sail?

Some other questions will follow once I know where that is.