Now that I have started racing, I'm torn on which strategy to use on the downwind leg - dead run or broad reach?
Research seems to indicate that in the case of most boats, a broad reach provides better Velocity Made Good.
Thing is, the 26S is not "most boats". It is far lighter than other boats of its size, and drag can be minimized by raising the centerboard when running dead downwind. Also, the centerboard, being much narrower than a keel would be on a boat its size, is going to allow more side-slipping on a broad reach than dead downwind, having a negative effect on VMG.
Experience, of course, is the only way to sort this out, and my 26S seems to achieve the best VMG going dead downwind. I base this on three experiences.
In a "Fun Race" (a casual cruise along a set course to the restaurant on the other side of the lake), I was able to pass a 36' keelboat flying a spinnaker flying only my main and Genoa.
In a recent race, on the downwind leg, I was able to pass a 30' keelboat even as my foredeck crew was having trouble setting the whisker pole.
Also in a recent race, a 36' keelboat which had been gaining on us peeled off on a broad run and jibed back toward the mark. We stayed on the dead run and beat them to the mark. It seems to me that had they stayed on the downwind course they would have passed us and beat us to the mark.
Each of these situations was in very light to light air. In some cases I was employing the vang, in others not. In no instance was I raising the centerboard.
My questions to those with insight are:
1. Given that running dead downwind appears to be giving me an advantage (at least in light air), should I just stick with that, or am I sacrificing VMG with that approach?
2. Does raising the centerboard really help that much? It seems that it presents very little surface area when compared to that of the hull, but on the other had it does create some turbulence.
3. Do you think that the choice to run downwind or on a broad reach will depend on the wind speed?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Research seems to indicate that in the case of most boats, a broad reach provides better Velocity Made Good.
Thing is, the 26S is not "most boats". It is far lighter than other boats of its size, and drag can be minimized by raising the centerboard when running dead downwind. Also, the centerboard, being much narrower than a keel would be on a boat its size, is going to allow more side-slipping on a broad reach than dead downwind, having a negative effect on VMG.
Experience, of course, is the only way to sort this out, and my 26S seems to achieve the best VMG going dead downwind. I base this on three experiences.
In a "Fun Race" (a casual cruise along a set course to the restaurant on the other side of the lake), I was able to pass a 36' keelboat flying a spinnaker flying only my main and Genoa.
In a recent race, on the downwind leg, I was able to pass a 30' keelboat even as my foredeck crew was having trouble setting the whisker pole.
Also in a recent race, a 36' keelboat which had been gaining on us peeled off on a broad run and jibed back toward the mark. We stayed on the dead run and beat them to the mark. It seems to me that had they stayed on the downwind course they would have passed us and beat us to the mark.
Each of these situations was in very light to light air. In some cases I was employing the vang, in others not. In no instance was I raising the centerboard.
My questions to those with insight are:
1. Given that running dead downwind appears to be giving me an advantage (at least in light air), should I just stick with that, or am I sacrificing VMG with that approach?
2. Does raising the centerboard really help that much? It seems that it presents very little surface area when compared to that of the hull, but on the other had it does create some turbulence.
3. Do you think that the choice to run downwind or on a broad reach will depend on the wind speed?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!