Around the Course in One Hour

1. Around the Course in One Hour Learning to Race for Non-Sailors Jen Murray C&TE 680, Summer 2006 07/19/06

2. Around the Course Agenda • Sailing background • About racing • The race • Questions • Racing quiz

3. Sailing Theory • How does the wind affect a sailboat? • Sails with the wind from behind and the sides • Cannot sail directly into the wind • Combination of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to propel boat • Wind pushes sails like airplane wings, creates lift • Water pushes against boat to create lift • Together equals forward motion

4. Apparent wind: results from true wind direction and wind created from motion of boat; wind the boat sails in Downwind: sailing away from the wind; with the wind behind you Ease: let out the sails Knot: measure of wind or boat speed, a little more than 1 mph (5280 fph vs. 6060.2 fph) Leeward: side of the boat the boom is on; away from the wind, downwind Port tack: wind blowing over port side of boat with boom on starboard side Starboard tack: wind blowing over starboard side, boom on port side Trim: topull in sails True wind: actual wind direction, felt when boat is stationary Upwind: sailing toward the wind, but not directly into it Windward: side of boat opposite the side the boom is on; toward the wind, upwind General Terms

5. Beam reach: boat sailing at 90° angle to wind Broad reach: sailing away from wind, but not straight downwind Beat: boat sailing as close to wind as possible Close reach: sailing toward the wind but not on a beat Genoa (jenny, jib): large jib sail that overlaps the mainsail Gybing (jibing): turning stern of boat through the wind with sails changing sides (powerful) Head-to-wind: boat is aimed straight into the wind with sails luffing; part of tacking process; stops boat Heel: angle at which boat leans over In the lee: to leeward of a wind-blocking object Jib: forward sail attached to forestay Luffing: sails flapping in the wind Mainsail: primary sail, attached to mast and boom Run: wind is directly behind boat, one sail to each side (wing-in-wing) Spinnaker (kite): large, light sail for sailing downwind Tacking: turning bow of boat through wind with sails changing sides (gentle) Sailing Terms

6. Sailboat Parts • Boom: horizontal pole that attaches to the mast, used to extend foot of mainsail • Bow: forward part of boat • Hull: primary body of boat • Keel: fixed underwater part used to prevent sideways drift and provide stability • Mast: pole placed vertically on a boat used to support sails • Rudder: movable underwater steering board • Stern: back part of boat • Tiller (or wheel): used to turn the rudder or propellers for steering • Winch: metal drum-like device to wrap sail lines (sheets) around to allow for leverage when trimming

8. True Wind & Apparent Wind • True Wind: • Wind strength and direction felt when stationary • Reported wind direction (wind from the…) • Apparent Wind: • Combination of true wind and the wind caused by the movement of the boat (boat-speed wind) • Sailing speed affects the strength felt • The wind that the boat actually sails in

9. Wind Theory • Determining the direction of the true wind: • Wind that blows across the surface of the water creates friction, which creates ripples • These ripples form perpendicular to the direction of the wind • Most difficult but most accurate method • Flags, smoke, or other sailboats

10. Wind Theory • Determining the direction of apparent wind: • Telltales (the nylon strips on the shrouds) • Masthead fly with wind arrow, or Windex • Found on top of the mast, points into the wind • Sails • Go head-to-wind, shown by luffing sails in the center of the boat, points bow straight into the wind • Determining the wind strength: • Size of ripples or waves • Whitecaps have formed (12-14 knots)

11. Points of Sail • The angle of sail is the difference between the direction of the boat and the direction of the wind • Beam reach: boat sailing at 90° angle from wind, wind is coming across middle of boat • Broad reach: sailing away from wind, but not straight downwind, wind coming across back corner • Beat: boat sailing as close to wind as possible; not directly into the wind • Close reach: sailing toward the wind but not as close as to be on a beat • Run: wind is directly behind boat

12. Sailing Maneuvering-Tacking • Process of turning the boat’s bow through the wind • Allows sails to change sides • Don’t forget to duck from the boom! • More gentle and slower maneuver • Sails will luff during this maneuver • Careful to only execute under enough power so you don’t end up head-to-wind • Sailing upwind must be done in a zigzag (cannot sail directly upwind into the wind)

13. Sailing Maneuvering-Gybing • Process of turning the boat’s stern through the wind • Allows sails to change sides • Careful of the boom if you have to change sides also! • Faster and more powerful maneuver than tacking • Sails do not luff • Allows you to sail directly downwind

14. Rules of the Road • Always keep an eye out for other boats, especially under the sails • Sailboats (under sail or power) have the right-of-way over power boats • Make sure you are not on a collision course with another boat • Check to see if they move with you, if they do, you will collide without changing course

15. Rules of the Road-Between Sailboats • If one is passing another: • The passing boat must keep clear of the boat it is passing ahead • Two boats on opposite tacks: • The boat on port tack must keep clear of the boat on starboard tack • Two boats on the same tack: • The windward (inside, closest to the wind) must keep clear of the leeward boat (outside, farthest from the wind, having its air blocked by the windward boat)

16. What is Sailboat Racing? • Sailboat ≠ racing?? • Around the buoys • One-designs and other smaller boats • Day racing • Triangular courses (upwind, downwind, reach) • Uses handicap system for class racing (other than one-design) • Not first to finish, but best time wins (taking into account the boat’s rating and elapsed time) • Regattas, the America’s Cup • Big boats, long races

17. Racing Classes • Boats divided into classes: • One-designs (Tartan 10, J/24, Interlake, Thistle, Laser, Sunfish) • JAM (jib-and-mainsails only) • Usually largest class • Sometimes broken into JAM-A and JAM-B • PHRF (performance racing fleet) • Includes use of spinnaker in downwind leg • MORC (midget ocean racing class) • Defined by rigging type

18. Racing Guidelines • Start line is established by committee boat and pin • Marks are usually orange or yellow floating buoys • The course to be raced is determined by the race committee and posted using a flag system on the start line • Object is to follow the course by crossing the start line, rounding the marks in the proper order, and then crossing the finish line • The boat with the best elapsed time (including handicap) wins

19. Racing Tactics • Adjustments can be made for: • Increase or decrease in speed • Best method for starting • Altered path to mark • Avoid traffic • Better air • Tactician keeps an eye on other boats to see what is happening ahead, at the mark, and to predict the upcoming wind • Communication between crew members is critical at all times!

20. The Crew • A strong crew with good communication, tactics, and understanding is vital: • Helmsman: driver, calls the shots • Mainsail trimmer: focuses on the mainsail trim • Headsail trimmer (jib): focuses on the jib trim • Overhaulers: bring back sheets and put into blocks/pulleys • Grinder: runs the winch • Foredeck man: changes the jib and spinnaker • Spinnaker guy man: runs the spinnaker sheets • Halyard man: raises the jib and spinnaker sails • Spinnaker sheet man: focuses on the spinnaker trim • Tack man: makes sure the mainsail is full after a tack • Reefing line grinder: uses the winch for the reefing or boomvang

21. The Boat • Know your boat: • Your class and your rating • Who do you need to beat and who can you expect to be ahead of you • Rigging and equipment • What conditions are best • Required crew members • Strengths and weaknesses of the boat and/or crew

22. Winning Starts • Several tactics: • Timed run • Pace the start line in a certain area that you know you can cover in the exact amount of time left before the start • Port approach • Come from behind and tack onto starboard just before crossing • Dip start • Used when start cannot be crossed on starboard tack; sail above the line, find a hole, reach down, and then sail up • Barging start • On an un-crowded line, reach along the line, and round just before the gun • Slow and go • Early approaching the line; drift off to buy time, then sheet in and quickly cross at the last second • Hurry up and wait • Variation of slow and go; buy time that you can count, then tack to slow before making the final fast approach • Starting tactics (animation)

23. Getting Around the Course • Be the first to get to the windward (first) mark • You will tack when rounding this mark • Be careful not to end up head-to-wind if you take too much time • Quickly round the leeward (downwind) mark • This will be a gybe, so be prepared to tighten up before and let everything out after • Going from strong heel to almost level • Can go wing-in-wing at this point or fly the spinnaker (depending on class and rigging) • Seems slower because boat is evenly balanced • Round the last mark to the reach leg • Boat speed in a reach will be fairly quick and the boat will heel a lot • Keep all the weight on the high side of the boat for best balance

24. The Finish Line • Cross the finish line toward the committee boat end • Crossing the middle of the line makes it harder for the committee to sight you with other background distractions farther down the line • Gun will sound after first boat crosses line • First part of boat, equipment, or crew to cross line between committee boat and pin counts • Time will be recorded by committee • Race will be cancelled if no one finished in two hours • Racing a course (animation)

25. Results & Racing Handicaps • Used when not racing one-design boats • JAM, PHRF, MORC • Takes into account the elapsed time and rating • Rating includes: • Boat length • Waterline length • Sail dimensions • Draft • Other similar boats’ racing times and results • Object of a rating system is to equal the playing field when boats in a racing class are of differing sizes and makes

26. Questions?

27. Resources • Dellenbaugh, B. (1995). SAIL Magazine’s Best Little Learn to Sail Book Ever. • Jobson, G. (1981). Around the Course with Michelob. • (2004). Introduction to Racing Videos. US Sailing Association. Retrieved July 18, 2006, from http://www.racing.sailingcourse.com/begins_wmv0.htm. • (2004). Sandusky Sailing Club Sailing Instructions. Sandusky Sailing Club. • (2004). SSC 2004 Race Courses. Sandusky Sailing Club.