Sorry if this is too basic, but I am wrestling with how to fit these together. As I understand it, leverage is only relevant if the wind shifts and is more profound the further from the rhumb line you are. So if I am on the right side of the course and the wind shifts left, I lose height and made good distance to the mark. If I am going right the left shift gives me a lift and even if I am going further right on the course I am losing nothing further than the original amount unless the wind goes further left. If I thought the wind was going further left I should tack and sail into the header to gain leverage/height.
The risks and opportunities of leverage are mitigated by staying in the middle of the course, but if I think a pervasive shift is coming I should try to sail that side of the course unless the pressure looks better on the other side.
Do I have this right?
The risks and opportunities of leverage are mitigated by staying in the middle of the course, but if I think a pervasive shift is coming I should try to sail that side of the course unless the pressure looks better on the other side.
Do I have this right?