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It depends on one simple tool
Hi Rich, You need a GPS then pick a waypoint about 2 miles or so directly down wind. To determine fastest point of sail - change heading and sail trim until VMG (velocity made good)is maximized. Same is true on any point of wind. The more off the wind - the faster the boat will go. The more off the wind - further to the mark. GPS VMG display show optimum. Oh how simple technology makes things. Good luck, Bob
Hi Rich, You need a GPS then pick a waypoint about 2 miles or so directly down wind. To determine fastest point of sail - change heading and sail trim until VMG (velocity made good)is maximized. Same is true on any point of wind. The more off the wind - the faster the boat will go. The more off the wind - further to the mark. GPS VMG display show optimum. Oh how simple technology makes things. Good luck, Bob
Put another way...
Let's say you tacked 8 times out to Point A. You'll likely tack 3 times coming downwind. Off the wind is safer as well as faster. If you're into spinnakers, here's a neat rig for a bowsprit that's easy and cheap to deploy.
Let's say you tacked 8 times out to Point A. You'll likely tack 3 times coming downwind. Off the wind is safer as well as faster. If you're into spinnakers, here's a neat rig for a bowsprit that's easy and cheap to deploy.
For some unknown reason....
...people seem to think that if you point the boat DDW you will get there in the best possible time. This almost never is the case. Reaching off and sailing your polars works best. If you do what Bob suggests, and sail your best VMG you will find that jibing to your polar angles will produce a faster course to the turning mark. The key is finding the right angles. The only time to sail DDW is when its howling(25+).
...people seem to think that if you point the boat DDW you will get there in the best possible time. This almost never is the case. Reaching off and sailing your polars works best. If you do what Bob suggests, and sail your best VMG you will find that jibing to your polar angles will produce a faster course to the turning mark. The key is finding the right angles. The only time to sail DDW is when its howling(25+).
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