Windward boat/proper course

Hi Jim,

Yes, I agree – it happens all the time at my club particularly on windward/leeward courses.

The single sail boats such as Lasers, Finns, Contenders and Phantoms round the windward mark on to the run, which in the prevailing wind conditions, is usually on starboard tack and often they are confronted with a rash of asymmetric boats such as 49ers, Mustos, 800’s, Vortices, 400’s, 200’s and 100’s sailing from the leeward side on the same tack, all coming across at different speeds and angles.  Some are on the same lap or the faster boats may be lapping.

It is often very difficult to decide what to do in order to prevent being luffed off the reservoir.  With even the best ‘forward planning’ it can still be very difficult to keep clear or get through a gap behind them.

Under the present rules, I don’t think that there is an answer to the problem other than as I have described.  It never used to be a problem with the symmetric spinnaker boats (we don’t have many at our club nowadays other than the odd Fireball).

It’s a lot easier when they have to gybe and have to cross on port tack, at least they have to keep out of your way until you reach the zone.

I know that they don’t have to do it, but there never seems to be any consideration from the asymmetric sailors for the single sail boats that are trying to sail the rhum line. You never know whether they are doing it deliberately or they just haven’t seen you because they are concentrating on what they are doing or they are only looking out for other asymmetric boats on the same tack.

But ‘hey’ that’s sailing.

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales SC)