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Caveman View Drop Down
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Posts: 64 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Caveman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 'racecraft' tips
    Posted: 31 Jul 15 at 10:13pm
If you can nail the start and sail into clear air, it will almost certainly be far easier to make the right tactical choices and achieve a good result. 
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davidyacht View Drop Down
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 15 at 4:45pm
Probably could learn from an *****ole if he was good.  One of the reasons why two handed boats have their place. 
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 15 at 4:09pm
One of the best sailors I know, now over 80 years old, has been keeping a notebook with settings etc in it since he was a teenager. I think there are a lot of Firefly sailors who's like to get a look at them!

Sadly, my brain really doesn't work that way - I tend to try and work by how the boat feels. This works well in a familiar environment, but falls down badly when out of my comfort zone.

Crew for someone really good? Too right. Provided they aren't a total ***hole!
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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davidyacht View Drop Down
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 15 at 3:25pm
Keep a notebook, write down what you get right and get wrong.

Crew for someone really good.
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Woodburner View Drop Down
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Posts: 332 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Woodburner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jun 15 at 3:08pm
Well you could go on forever but then you would be in book writing territory "How I learned to stop standing up and still win sat down" seems like a useful working title to me.. (With an extra long chapter on tidal lee bow and its effect in coastal waters Wink )



Edited by Woodburner - 30 Jun 15 at 3:09pm
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jun 15 at 12:39pm
Originally posted by Woodburner

What you're talking about is called tactics, there are basically two key functions to racing, one making sure the boat sails as fast as it is possible to sail it, then sailing the shortest possible course around the marks.

As to other boats, they are a secondary issue, you're not there to sail at their convenience, they are obstacles so you need to learn the rights of way rules, if you are forced to come into contact with them learn what tactical measures and physical properties your boat has that will impede their progress whilst enhancing your own, but the best thing, is to avoid them and focus on the marks, making sure you have an inside line for roundings and that the wind shift you are on is always the one taking you closest to the next mark.
Read books, like that Eric Twinames start to win, excellent book even in this day and age. There's a guy who posts on here now and again, Clive Ephlet, he's written a book within which most of your questions will no doubt be answered. link here

Good post from Grmupf, just one thing to note the shortest course is not necessarily the fastest course. This is why you will usually see the good guys going 'gust hunting' on offwind legs and trying to find a clear lane if they find themselves stuck in traffic.

Having a plan is great but be prepared to improvise if you need to.
Paul
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jun 15 at 11:14am
I suppose the trick is to know when the plan is being modified without your consent (ie, you are being dictated to by others) and when you need to modify the plan yourself to improve your chances. 
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Alistair426 View Drop Down
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Posts: 201 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Alistair426 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jun 15 at 11:12am
And the first rule of warfare is that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. However, 'got to head out of the tide' or 'noticed a wind bend when we sailed the beat before the start' are fairly fundamental.
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6661 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jun 15 at 11:05am
Originally posted by Alistair426


Originally posted by Mike Holt

Have a plan for the race before you start.
...and stick to it!

Hmm. Von Moltke's maxim springs to mind. If you stick rigidly to your plan you may well be beaten by those who successfully modify theirs according to what actually unfolds on the course.
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jun 15 at 11:05am
Learn to use a compass when sailing on the sea. I haven't, and the lack of landmarks means I'm pretty much blind when it comes to picking the correct side upwind. 
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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