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Quick Sailing Techniques
Your body position in the boat is crucial, especially when it comes to speed and cornering. The boat should be as level as can be for fore and aft. If your bodyweight is too far forward it can cause the bow of your sailboat to nosedive into the water.
However if you are too far back you will create a lot of turbulence for the stern. This will of course slow you down. With light winds, sit forward, as far forward as you can get.
When it comes to steering over any waves, you are going to need to push the tiller away from your body when you are going over a wave and then you will need to pull the tiller towards your body when you are going down on the wave. This will help you pick up a lot of speed.
Remember, that when steering downwind, it’s just as important as if you were steering upwards into the wind. Now don’t forget when you are going down a wave, steer your sailboat to the lowest part of the wave.
When it comes to working the boat, this needs to start at the gun and don’t stop until you cross that finishing line. You have to keep the mainsheet working, steer over the waves like I said above and keep your body moving at all time. Make sure you keep an eye out for shifting winds and the movement of the tides. Watch the other boats around you.
Source : Sailing Lessons
Posted: July 30th, 2009 under Tricks.