Downwind angles

[Bob]

Much has been written about optimum angles downwind to optimise VMG, but most of it seems to apply to spinnaker-rigged boats. Some of us race non-spinnaker, and I am curious as to what differences there are in the two configurations in terms of optimum angles. My guess would be that when the boat can be sailed at or near hull speed directly for the mark with the sails winged out (assume a 135 to 150 genoa), that would be hard to beat with any other angle. But what about when the boat is sailing about 60% of hull speed DDW - is it generally better to sail a little higher? I have read your comments on downwind sailing, but in one section you advise staying high to gain boatspeed while in another section you say that under jib and main the boat should be sailed pretty much on a direct line for the mark with the sails winged out. Don't these rules-of-thumb contradict each other?

 

[Don Guillette]

Bob: The only time it makes any sense to sail DDW is when it is blowing like stink. The rest of the time, use the angles I suggest for the wind speed you are dealing with and see if they work for you. In all the years I've been racing here in Long Beach, I'd say 75% of the boats use the downwind leg to break out the beer and sandwiches and sail directly toward the mark. I can't think of one race where I have not been able to pick off at least 2 boats on that leg using the angles I suggest. I love to see the couple of boats that try to block each other sailing DDW. With them, you can pick off both of them at the same time!! Wish I could say we always kept that advantage after turning the mark but I can't. A lot of times, after the race, the guys we passed would ask "where did you guys come from?". I just said -stealth and they never seemed to get what was happening.