Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
5 Star Rated by Sailors
Trusted For 13 Years
Over 55,000+ Orders Shipped
90 Day Risk Free Returns
Price Match Promise
Fast Dispatch and 5 Star Customer Rated
December 11, 2018 3 min read
George Cousins is a freelance sailing/race coach and a Sailing Chandlery sponsored sailor. In this series of articles he is covering his Sailing Rules of Thumb walking us through the race course and what you should be trying to do.
In the final article of the series we will discuss how to consolidate your position and ways to self coach.
In the later stages of a race if you are in a good position then consolidate your standing by staying between the fleet and the windward mark. This allows you to work the percentages and it makes it very hard for boats behind to overtake you. In shifty conditions stay between the laylines to capitalise on shifts.
Apply what you have observed from the previous laps of the race. Did the leaders get to the front because of boat speed or was it their strategy on the course.
If the wind is shifting progressively one way, or there is a big disparity in tide across the course then it is likely that the side which paid in the previous races and laps will continue to pay. However be aware that the tide can change mid race! Accordingly have a good sailing watch which allows you to tell the time. Prior to launching make a mental note of what time the tide will turn or bring out laminated tidal atlas extracts if the venue is complicated. Spring tides turn quicker than neaps generally speaking meaning less slack water.
If you are near the back of the fleet then you can afford to take bigger risks compared to the leaders. Remember even if you are at the back to never give up. Keep plugging away and allow those in front to make mistakes. Continue to use your digital sailing compass because tracking the shifts will help in subsequent races.
Self Coaching: After each race do a quick analysis. Did the leaders win because they were faster in terms of boat speed, or was it their tactics and strategy? Which side was favoured up the first and second beats and the downwind? Were there any clues in terms of cloud patterns or local topography which suggested the wind would shift in a particular way. Could your start have been better? Were you aggressive enough on the line and did you get transits and measure line bias which was outlines in the first two articles of this series?
Once these questions have been answered it can inform how you approach races in the future and can act as good motivation for your training by giving you specific things to work on. For example; if your boat speed is good but you are missing shifts then practice sailing with your head out of the boat and invest in a compass. Conversely if you are tracking shifts well but boat speed is poor, then spend some time tuning up prior to races.
Read the previous article in the series - Sailing Rules of Thumb: Rule #5 The Run
Read the other articles in the series, Sailing Rules of Thumb.
Sign up for more great articles like this and receive a unique first order discount code. Share your birthday too and we'll send you a gift for your special day.
New jib sheets are good to hold, do not twist up and hold well in the cam cleats.
Really good kicker at a reasonable price, delivered well packaged up and quickly
I made a mistake on my order and it was put right at zero cost to me ! Amazing !
I’ll certainly be back
Product exactly what I wanted
Good cover, made of a thick tough material and fits the boat well. The drawstring really helps tighten it around the boat and keep the rain and dirt out! There is enough extra space under it to fit your mast and boom on a deck tidy under it. Looks great in the club berths!
Very happy with the complete set of wheels with pins & washers - all in excellent condition & arrived as scheduled. Thank you.
Works well, towing noise considerably reduced and no further damage to underside of gunwales.
These are a revelation compared to the silly key ring type pin. So easy to use making rigging that bit quicker and easier! Great service as always from Sailing Chandlery A*
Excellent service and prompt delivery.
Best on the market!
Our son broke the sheave in his ILCA traveller block. I ordered the full set, which arrived the next day - absolutely brilliant service, sensible price and a quality product
Bought these to fit to the under boom sliders on a Super Spars boom to use for the main sheet. Block is compact and fits close to the underside of the boom keeping main sheet as close to boom as possible.
Quickly delivered from Sailing Chandlery.
I’d not realised that my previous boom was a problem until it became rather banana shaped. The Holt replacement is just the ticket and was delivered promptly. Good value for the money.
Excellent product and prompt delivery
I bought these for summer dinghy sailing as I found my short fingered leather gloves were getting uncomfortable and I needed some protection for the tips of my fingers. I have only worn them once but was very impressed. They fitted nicely, didn’t get soggy and I didn’t notice any discomfort.
Easy to put on and adjust and fits well. I went for a larger size than the size chart suggested as I was the top end of the medium measurement with a wetsuit and spray top on adding a bit extra. The only thing that I feel lets it down is the packing it comes in, I would have liked something like the breathable bag the Rooster buoyancy aids come in.
Save up to 40%on your next order.
