starting line problems handicap

Having years of practice in the laser 1 with good starts im now on the start line in my RS700 with merlin, k6, 505,FF, Tempest ect. I now have to start away from them as they kill me if get close to windward, The k6 go slow but sail very high.I now have to sail for a gap at speed and punch through. I did like starting before but now feel so disavantaged.lits like playing chess without a queen, I do miss starting as it was part of the fun.

If i go for position they come under me then sit head to wind and call windward boat, i'm racing for fun and donot want an insurance claim as my wings are sharp making nice holes in wood. so far I just keep going under them leaving them behind, on days with a short beat its crap.

 

Edited by Wrighty

IF you are one of the faster, this opens up Port tack flyers as if there is the room, you can make port tack starts that if you were slower you cannot make.

Edited by Scooby_simon

think that was in Y+Y last issue.

Think it becomes less of a problem the better the OD is.  If there is a port end bias, most of the fleet wont recognise it and your preferential speed and loadsa gaps will pay.  Poor start lines with mega bias will cause problems with a short beat.

You could always get a canoe as leaving the seat out to leward at pre start does give you that little bit of extra room.

I have also found that acting eneptly also encourages people to give you a wide berth....and yes, i know it comes naturally!

, mble();Port tack starting only works if the whole fleet is reasonably on the ball - nice point Jim - our average club start sees a whole raft of slow stuff still rounding the comm boat end (on typically short lines) well after the gun, you need a big port bias to make it happen if you're not in a high-pointing speed machine upwind (i.e I-Canoe), i've found you can actually create a decent bit of room to leeward by arriving earlier than you ever did before, then going head to wind... slow yourself right down but try to keep a tiny amount of way on by pulling occassionally on the mainsheet falls (also stops you getting into irons)... now use the racks to stop you being dragged backwards too far or to leeward too far, thus opening up a gap below you, then use the gap to go for the acceleration before the gun, you may not hit the line full chat but if you've got it right, 9 out of 10 you've got enough of a gap below you to foot into and power up, allowing you to leave the stuffers fighting it out behind you by the time you chuck in your first tack.  Racks can be very useful at low speeds!