luffing another boat downwind

Was racing last night in quite a lot of wind. On the
downwind leg we we're sailing next to an RS200 at the
same speed. We both had our kites up and we were to
leeward.

Ordinarily we would have gone out on the wire and use the
leverage to head up higher but the 200 was in our way.

Afterwards somebody said that we should have gone higher
and the 200 would have to keep clear.

If this is the case, what could he do? He wouldn't be
able to head up as he would be over powered and he
couldn't bear away as we were in the way.

Would he really be expected to drop the kite and get out
of our way?

Edited by ellistine

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by ellistine Would he really be expected to drop the kite and get out of our way? There are subtleties based on how the overlap was established, but fundamentally he's required to keep clear. If he has to drop the kite to do it, so be it, but you can usually do things like really hammer in the kite and stall it out to slow down and get Leeward ahead of you, should that bewhat you need to do.

 

Agreed.  If needed, they do need to drop the kite.

in that situation pre planning is the best and try not to go below somone. the chances are you wont get past and will then be stuck there. if that happens then no matter if you try to push them up they will prob get overpowered first then capsize on u or have to bear away. if there kite hits you then it may be your fault for not giving them sufficent room. but gybing off if a good option.

it is depressing sitting stuck in someone elses rubbish wind

I agree with Olly. When you round the windward mark you need to look to see what the other boats are doing. Bear in mind that symetric boats and most single handers will probably soak so will head straight for the leeward mark, and asymetrics will head off at an angle.

In this case you could have gybed away into free wind or waited before hoisting the kite to give you the chance to get over on top of the 200. Bear in mind that if its a windward leeward course you really want to be heading dead downwind, so dont head off on a reach trying to get over the top of all the boats, you need to be sensible about it! Being stuck under another boat is hugely frustrating as you realise, specially when you would normally be able to head up and have a proper fun reach downwind, but instead have to sit on the side wishing they werent there!

Its always worth while heading up and engaging warp drive. Whats the point in going out if you're not going to enjoy yourself?!

As far as apparent wind, the effect is obviously still there regardless of the wind strength. You will just have the wind further round towards the stern than on the beam... hence why you were able to run much deeper than usual but still planing. Don't forget that symetric boats plane on a dead run when it is breezy (its just a much more wobbly experience than broad reaching), so its not a phenomenon which only happens to asymetrics. You just need to sail by feel, going as low as you can in the gusts, and heading up in the lulls to keep the boat moving fast. (although in 22-28knots you shouldnt have any problem with that!)