You must not only account for the time it takes your boat to get to the line. You must also account for the waves and wind that may push your boat back. Watch out for other boats. Be sure to set up early with a hole. Then if a competitor tries to snatch [...]
All posts by buoylogic
Set Up for Success
Posted by buoylogic on 09/04/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/set-up-for-success/
Back to the Basics
You can see many interviews on sailgroove of the best sailors and regatta winners. If asked how they do it, they will just say a couple basic concepts. The truth is you probably already know how to sail fast. In sailing, there is no secret pandora’s box of knowledge. You may learn a few tips [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/30/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/back-to-the-basics/
Avoid the Chomp
When sailing in wavy conditions, it’s important to steer cleer of big waves. Slightly steer to windward or leeward of the wave to avoid hitting it straight on. This will lighten the amount of speed lost due to the wave. If you do this wrong, your boat will make a chomping sound. Your boat will [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/29/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/avoid-the-chomp/
Starting – Win the Boat
The first post on Buoy Logic was about the other end of the line: Starting – Win the Pin. It’s time we talked about the other extreme. Under normal circumstances, I would not recommend trying to be the starboard most boat on the starting line. There are many boats also fighting on the starboard end [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/28/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/starting-win-the-boat/
Hit the Ground Running
The slower your boat becomes, the more important it is to have the boat at full speed before the actual start. But not only is it important to be at full speed, it is very important to have the boat sailing at close hauled. In a track and field, it is illegal to have a [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/28/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/hit-the-ground-running/
Learn to Sail (A Free Blog Series) – Intro
So you wanna sail? You want the glory of being on a boat? I have taught five years olds and adults it makes no difference. Sailing is a sport people do until they no longer can. I know some people at the 90 age mark who keep on cruising in races. In this series, I [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/26/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/learn-to-sail-a-free-blog-series-intro/
The Gateway to a Better Finish
At times, choosing which mark of a gate to round can seem to be like a game show guessing game. You know you want to pick the door with the prize, but what buoy do you want to pick? What buoy is best? The mark will be farther upwind. The mark is closer to where [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/25/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/the-gateway-to-a-better-finish/
High Heel
Many beginning sailors feel the boat goes fast when heeled. The boat may initially move faster because of less water resistance, but we know upwind this is not true because the boat tends to “side slip” off course. But what about downwind? Downwind you are using very little centerboard to steer your course because you [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/25/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/high-heel/
Cover Proof
It’s the last beat to windward. First place tacks on you to cover. Now you have to settle for second…right? Wrong. Before you start your upwind leg, know what side will receive the next wind shift. It does not matter if the boat ahead is “covering” you. All that matters is that the boat ahead [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/16/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/cover-proof/
The Anatomy of the Tack
Tacking skills can make or break races in many classes. The boat slows up dramatically when you tack. Slow is not good when you are trying to win a race, so every sailor tries to reduce the speed lost during a tack. The structure of the tack can be broken down into three stages: The [...]
Posted by buoylogic on 08/16/09
http://buoylogic.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/the-anatomy-of-the-tack/
