File - Canadian Wayfarer Association

It could be argued that when the wind heads like that, you should tack. But what happens if the
wind goes back? You will end up overstanding when you tack back again. It also means that you
break the cardinal rule of sailing, i.e. almost invariably you should take the tack which takes you
closest to the mark.
If, on the other hand, the wind frees when you are right out on one or other wing of the beat,
you end up overstanding the mark. Then, not only have you sailed further than you actually
needed to, but leeward boats that were behind now come up (and up!) until they lee-bow you. This
often happens. Even if the wind doesn't shift, it is very difficult to judge precisely your final
tack when more than 200 metres from the mark. Just think how many boats can fit into a 20
metre space if you overstand/under-stand by only 10%. It can be the difference between a good
place at the finish or being "down the pan"! Not only that, if you are locked onto that long tack,
how do you cope with boats that tack on your lee bow? You'll have to learn to cope because you
are going to be in dirty air for a long time!
Actually, that's not quite right because it's not long before all that dirty air means that you
can't lay the mark and then you really are in trouble. There are too many boats around to be able
to manoeuvre easily and certainly too much disturbed wind and water to be able to move quickly.
Of course, this effect is even worse when approaching the mark on port because any leading
boats bearing away on the first reach will also cause trouble. They not only have the right of way
being on starboard, but because the sailors are getting things organised for the reach, they will
have their heads inside the boat and probably will not be looking where they are going! Also as
they accelerate their wash increases and it becomes harder to punch through all that confused
sea with only disturbed air to drive the boat.
Rule No. 2
Never ever approach the mark so that you have to tack within the “two hull-length circle”. Racing
rule 18.3 has been designed particularly to stop boats sneaking in on port and then trying to tack
in front of the starboard hordes:
18.3 Tacking
If two boats were on opposite tacks and one of them tacked within the two-length zone to pass a
mark or obstruction, rule 18.2 does not apply. The boat that tacked
• shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid her or prevent the other
boat from passing the mark or obstruction, and
• shall keep clear if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her, in which case rule 15 does
not apply
It is such a strong rule and is so easy to prove for the protestor. All he has to do is get
witnesses to say that they saw his jib back (i.e. he went above close-hauled) and his case is
proved.
Rule No.3
Be prepared for less wind as you approach the mark because the press of boats acts as a
barrier. The wind, trying to clear that obstacle by taking the easier route up and over, will lift
off the water approximately 2-3 mast heights to windward of the fleet. So even the windward
boats have less wind. Therefore everyone should reduce kicker and sheet loadings and be
prepared to sail freer.
Rule No.4
Almost invariably, it pays to overstand the mark by a boat length or so. It is so much better to
be able to bear away rather than to have to put in two extra tacks.
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