Going dead downwind

 

I read an article about sailing by the lee and heeling the boat to windward and how its more efficient etc which is fine when there is enough wind to keep the boom on the right side of the boat.  However below this wind strength i just stop dead.  This happened to the extent that i kept pulling away from a laser upwind to be overtaken downwind for 4 laps. 

 

I found that if i come up slightly higher and gybe periodically it helps but this doesn't help for those bits where there is no real choice but to go dead down wind or other boats limit the space to sail in.  I'm around 92 kg (which i know is really not helping my case - i am working on this) but there must be something else i can do without resorting to the laser oooching and pumping.  Are there any other singlehander sailors out there who have mastered this skill or have any pointers?  Equally any way of getting the boat sailing faster downwind in general are always good. 

 

The nova just can't do the same downwind angles as a laser.  Its the point of sail I struggle on most when I borrow a supernova as I'm used to laser style running.  You have to play the angles much more and gybe more often. 

 

This technique works well in a Blaze if the run is short. However if the run is of a decent length you are much better of playing the angles, especially if you can get the boat planing. It also works well in a Phantom so you may find you get some success with the Supernova.

As the rig is fully battened you are unlikely to make running by the lee work vs playing the angles offwind.