Padraigh36
New Member
Hi all,
Is sailing big angles (be the lee etc) downwind actually faster by straight downwind? Racing over the weekend I went from 3rd at the windward mark to 11 at the leeward mark. The wind was light (5-8knts) and I was the only boat in the fleet that attempted to sail anything other than straight downwind. I got creamed on that leg and it completely stuffed my race. There are much more experienced helms than me in the fleet and they almost always sail straight downwind to the leeward mark. Are the books and instruction material having a giggle or is there actually some benefit in the whole by the lee thing.
Frustrated sailor looking for advice.
Padraig
Is sailing big angles (be the lee etc) downwind actually faster by straight downwind? Racing over the weekend I went from 3rd at the windward mark to 11 at the leeward mark. The wind was light (5-8knts) and I was the only boat in the fleet that attempted to sail anything other than straight downwind. I got creamed on that leg and it completely stuffed my race. There are much more experienced helms than me in the fleet and they almost always sail straight downwind to the leeward mark. Are the books and instruction material having a giggle or is there actually some benefit in the whole by the lee thing.
Frustrated sailor looking for advice.
Padraig