Running by the lee

Thanks for advice- very useful.

Next on my target list is to make sure that our club ODs set some courses with some dead runs!

Regarding reference points, yes the tell tails. I also have markings on the vang line to aid repeatability. I also use a wind vane at boom level, used purely for when running. It doesn't necessarily tell you the wind direction, but you become familiar with its movement ie. when it goes round in circles, i can go a few degrees deeper but no lower since its slow. Keep in mind sailing low has its place, but faster can be sailing higher angles depending on wave state.

Nigel 5780

Hi Ian, the basic guide is the leach telltales, they will all go into reverse flow along the backside of your sail after briefly collapsing from their usual flow out from the sail as you bear away by the lee.

It's a strange feeling at first, you speed up and the feel on the mainsheet goes lighter - hold it there. You don't want much kicker, the sail needs to feel light and free. If you sheet in a little the main takes a better shape off the shrouds, the relative wind angle to your heading improves ( you should be going straight towards a downwind mark at a similar speed to those shooting off on the high speed low reach), and you can either ease or sheet in the main by just a few inches to steer the boat. Sit well back as usual and aim to keep it bolt upright until you know how it feels, then you can do fancy dan wave steering/ surfing boosts. I agree with everything Guy has already said, I hope this helps.

Hi Ian, if you can go just to the point that the leech wants to gybe and then luff slightly from there you can get a little bit of an auto-pump (think that's what the Laser sailors call it/do). A bit more tricky in a Solo with the full length battens, but it can still work. In the absence of any other boats around it's quite easy to go from a very broad reach to going by the lee and "steering" between, ideally using the heel of the boat. This kind of sets up a subtle rolling action, so be mindful of rule 42, but on the sea you can use this to work the waves. Tactically though, it's not always a good idea, unless you have a big gap behind. With a group of boats somewhat line abreast to windward you can end up sailing in their dirty air. It's then better to consider playing the angles or at least keep a clean lane.

All of this is very subtle and varies with wind strength. Can is very quick if done right, but can also end up with a swim :-)

Practice, practice, practice... ideally with a mate who sails straight downwind so you can see what works.

Cheers,

Guy 5691