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Slow boat in a big mixed fleet - where to start?
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Matt Jackson View Drop Down
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Posts: 962 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Slow boat in a big mixed fleet - where to start?
    Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 9:34am
Having mostly sailed faster boats recently (Contender, RS400 etc) I've always tried to be front row in a big mixed fleet start. Is this still the right tactic in my Graduate in a MASSIVE mixed fleet with keelboats, 49ers , Mirrors and everything in between (Birkett)? The Grad points fairly high but is only Laser Radial speed.
  • Should I still try to be front row and take the frustration of being driven over for 20 mins or
  • Start later, picking a spot late dependent on looking for clear(ish) air?



Edited by Matt Jackson - 29 Jun 16 at 9:59am
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jeffers View Drop Down
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I will let you know how badly i get it wrong at the weekend Matt.....

Usual tactic for a slower boat is to get clear air as soon as possible as the faster boats will go over the top of you regardless.
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Matt Jackson View Drop Down
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Posts: 962 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 10:55am
Originally posted by jeffers

I will let you know how badly i get it wrong at the weekend Matt.....

Usual tactic for a slower boat is to get clear air as soon as possible as the faster boats will go over the top of you regardless.

Are you in a D-Zero? I'll look out for you. 

Would you still try and wriggle to the front row?
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 11:32am
I had this exact situation recently in a fleet with follk who know how to sail their fast boats, normally in our club fleet the fast boats are not that well positioned on the line with the exception of a couple of Contenders.

So my plan was to pin end then out the back door as soon as I could, it all went horribly wrong of course a tide taking us over meant I had to foot off a bit along with everyone else then shortly after the gun those that had got in behind sailed over me and I had crap to sail in, don't you just hate it.
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Ardea View Drop Down
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My plan would be to hit the line on time and at speed as usual, but aim to be within 1 or 2 boats from your end of choice.  You generally have to bang a corner on the first beat otherwise you spend all your time in the dirty air from the whole fleet.  The key is to avoid being boxed in - I'd probably sacrifice a good start to ensure clean air on the first beat.  There's nothing worse than being boxed in by a group of faster boats going for a gentle jolly.
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Posts: 962 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 12:10pm
Originally posted by Ardea

My plan would be to hit the line on time and at speed as usual, but aim to be within 1 or 2 boats from your end of choice.  You generally have to bang a corner on the first beat otherwise you spend all your time in the dirty air from the whole fleet.  The key is to avoid being boxed in - I'd probably sacrifice a good start to ensure clean air on the first beat.  There's nothing worse than being boxed in by a group of faster boats going for a gentle jolly.

Thanks, I'd say that was generally good advice but not really useful at the Birkett. 230 boats on a start-line, stacked up 3 or 4 deep, stretching right across the lake. 6 mile beat but only half mile wide lake. Even RS400s spend 20 minutes being sailed over by or picking there way through boats on a jolly. and of course the keelboats make no attempt to abide by racing rules.
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 12:11pm
Originally posted by Matt Jackson

Originally posted by jeffers

I will let you know how badly i get it wrong at the weekend Matt.....

Usual tactic for a slower boat is to get clear air as soon as possible as the faster boats will go over the top of you regardless.

Are you in a D-Zero? I'll look out for you. 

Would you still try and wriggle to the front row?

Yep sail number 188 (or 88 if it is honking). there are 6 D-Zeros entered.

Will try and get to the front row and pick the locals brains but my experience of the Grafham GP this year was clear air is a bigger benefit that being in the right place but in dirty air for ages.
Paul
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Posts: 857 		Post Options Post Options   Quote AlexM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 1:45pm
I would of thought you'd want to be on the front row, straight away you are in front of all the other rows.. and if you start at the right end your are in front of those at the wrong end. Its what I try and do :)
Do not start next to one of those cruiser things! Give them a wide birth.
For a Grad I guess starting next to anything with a PY less of a 1000 and within minutes they would be clear of you but to be honest with you its very hard to plan these things as there are so many boats and so much going on.
It's a great race and I'll be there in the X1
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 2:50pm
Probably best to find a spot with a gap and no boat immediately below you that points like hell.  I would suggest that pointy slow boats will be a bigger problem that fast boats.

I would concurr that you still want to find the better end.  Also think about the big picture, there may be a considerable wind fence effect which should be considered.
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Posts: 1005 		Post Options Post Options   Quote fab100 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jun 16 at 3:25pm
What's the penalty for OCS?    ;-)



Edited by fab100 - 29 Jun 16 at 3:27pm
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