Start Tactics: How do I not get stuffed?

Our little fleet of 4K's have had quite a laugh this
year. Luckily my comparative boat speed has been enough
to make up for my lack of sailing experience. If we get a
good enough start then we usually keep the lead.

However, I'm sensing a change of tactics. It appears
we're now having bad starts 'forced' upon us. This
usually consists of them being all over us like a rash on
the pre-start and luffed up on the start line approach to
the point where we stall and then generally spend quite a
while in dirty air trying to get moving again.

What are the best counter-tactics to make sure you don't
have to listen to someone going "up you go Keith, up you
go"?

Yep all 4000s. They don't out point us when sailing but
they do like to use their rights to push us up on the
approach to the start line. Creates them a nice gap to bear
away into and leaves us ducking the boom trying to stop the
bloody thing tacking!

That's what I don't get. I am always trying to get into a
position to do the pushing but always end up getting
pushed.

are you getting to the line to early? And sitting there like a duck

Originally posted by ellistine Originally posted by AlexM are you getting to the line to early? And sitting there like a duck Quite possibly. Infact, more than likely. Not a bad point. Presumably keep it moving then?

If the fleet find out you are bad at starting then they will be queuing up to start next to you, it makes it an easy option for them. Just try and find a gap with room below you to bear off into, there can't be that many L4000's on the line.