Spinning Wind Indicator

[baaadman]

Our fleet had a great racing day this weekend. The weather reports had the wind at 15-20 with gusts to 25 mph. I normally watch the wind indicator attempting to sail the best course, but I had my hands full so did not look at it very often. But I did notice going downwind several times that the wind indicator (a Little Hawk at the gooseneck) was spinning like a top! I believe I was sailing by the lee and wondering if the spinning meant I was doing it right? or wrong? The boat felt good, no death rolls like I had last year so I figure I was doing something right.

 

[Murphs]

The wind indicator was in the disturbed air of the sail, which is why it was spinning around.

It doesn't really mean much as far as doing by-the-lee right.

Depends more on leech(vang) tension and boom position. If the boat was perfectly stable, then you're not pushing hard enough