Tips for Sailing Fast

While most of my writings have focused on the wonder of sailing it is time to pay attention to the technical aspects integral to making your boat go where you want it to. How fast you want to get to your destination depends on your perspective. If a storm is brewing you would want to get to shelter. Regardless of whether you seek a safe harbor or choose to sail in another direction to avoid a downpour, getting to your destination efficiently makes sense. If you are racing you would want to get to the finish line before the competition. Wouldn't you?

After years of racing on crewed boats one peeve I have is chatter on the rail. This is quite common on those long upwind legs. With the rail digging into your hamstrings while avoiding the spray jettisoning from the bow, crew seem instinctively trying to focus on world news or whose dating whom. Perhaps it is comfort chat. BUT, in addition to presenting an unsafe situation, it is slow.

Sherry Beckett clearly outlines 4 topics worth chatting about while on the rail. See section 2.4 of her 'Crew Handbook, which can be found at:

http://www.svsoggypaws.com/fastlane/FastLane5thEd.PDF

1. Spot wind gusts by looking at the ripples on the water
2. Give bearings on other boats
3. Give bearings on windward mark
4. Know where we are in relation to the whole course

Now, we have something to talk about on the rail. Even more so, we have a reason to go back to the club after the race for a cold drink while catching up on the latest . . .