The favored end of the line?

[Alan]

How do you determine which end of the start line is favored? It has nothing to do with where the first mark is. It is determined by the direction of the wind with respect to the starting line. If the starting line is set exactly square with the direction of the wind then there is no favored end. However, committee boats rarely set a square line and therefore one end is usually favored over the other.After running the start line to find its relative position and wind shot is taken to find the direction of the true wind. The side closer to the true wind is the favored end. If the line is long and very unsquare this can mean several boat lengths of advantage to those choosing that end. A significant advantage in a close race.

 

[MikeH]

basic technique I learned

When I was a boy learning to race I was always told to sail up to the starting line, slowing as you near it. When you get to the line, luff and point the boat directly into the wind. The direction the boat points indicates the favored end of the line. I've followed that procedure at least a hundred times and it always works.Hope that helps, Mike

 

[Alan]

You bet, MikeH

That's pretty much what I was spending a lot of words to say. Checking the start line is only really needed as the line approaches nearly square. But a few degrees on a long start line can amount to a half boat length or more.