Mixed class starting strategies

Hi, I have a quick question. Hope you can help me yet again.

I occasionally participate in club races in tthe 29erXX and given the club only has Lasers & Bytes in the Dinghy Open class thats mostly what I race against. Mostly sailing on my own, I find it difficult to hold the start line by backing the main or jib etc so trying alternate techniques to get the best start possible. The fact that the Lasers & Bytes just sit there pre-start isn't helping me in finding space to punch through but thats what I try to do. I go on a reach back & forth along the line pattern few boat lengths away from the start line, time my arrival and just as the others are crossing the line heat it up into clausehall and head towards the line. Most of the time I get stuck behind them etc.

What techniques work for you in similar situations? Thanks for your help.

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.

Edited by English Dave

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

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.

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.