Here is part of a note that Ted of Natasha sent last fall to the fleet as part of a discussion about interpreting the RaceQs analysis Ralph had developed, which led to the discussion of helming techniques used to point or foot when trying to maximize VMG to windward.
Sailing shorter distance is huge, obviously. Staying on the tack closer to windward mark and the gybe closer to gate is classic tactics. One thing that may be confounding Race Qs data is: are the boats sailing faster perhaps sailing further off the breeze upwind and giving up VMG for forward speed?
Mark, Jamie and I have found Etchells do not respond well at all to footing. Sailing full to get up to speed or in a chop is important to get the keel working, also sometimes to clear air to leeward of someone having tacked on you. However, we have found that we can never make up in forward speed for even slightly overstanding the weather mark. This is always a net loser. You can sometimes foot and move a little bow out on someone to leeward to gas them, but I think you still give up VMG to windward mark and this should be used only tactically to bury someone you really need to – or who maybe once said unkind things about your parentage.
Pinching, on the other hand is very tricky. In the flat waters of “inner” Casco Bay, you can get away with it a bit – once at full speed and in a safe lane; sometimes even to force a boat to weather off so you get freedom to tack. In the higher breezes this weekend, I often sailed the jib with the inner tails fluttering a fair amount once we were rolling. If you have a need to pinch – make sure your mainsail leach is tight enough to help drive the boat to weather: end of top batten parallel with axis of boat and boom/traveler well above centerline to get the leach on or just above center.
This is all what makes the Etchells such a challenge to sail well upwind. With the relatively high aspect rig and tight trim/tacking angles, it is not forgiving. As I said to Jeff and Doug this summer – driver needs to spend literally 75% to 90% of their time total staring at the telltales on the jib upwind. If your head is in the boat making adjustments, or even looking around the course too much, you can lose your groove!
Thanks again to all for great sailing in the Bay. Hope I can come up and join you all again next summer. Good cheer and good health to all for the off season.
Take care,
Ted H.
Natasha
USA 1012
So, I was curious what the geometry of the boat’s track told us about footing and pinching. I developed the accompanying chart (fig. 1) to describe the effects.
What does it all mean? Login and add your thoughts in the comments section, below