How to Gauge Tacking Angles When Sailboat Racing

Calling lay lines - no matter how good you are - involves a little guesswork. If you know your tacking angles, you stand a better chance of sailing the shortest distance to the mark.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Calculators
• Handheld GPS Navigation System
• Sailing Magazines
• Black Ink Pen
• Pads Of Paper
• Binoculars
• Compasses

1. Practice sailing upwind on your closest beat settings, as if you were racing.
2. Take a compass heading and landmark.
3. Execute a racing tack, then head up to your beat settings, keeping them constant.
4. Take your new compass heading and landmark.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 as many times as possible, writing down the difference in compass degrees between each tack.
6. Average the degree difference to determine your approximate tacking angle.

Tips & Warnings

• Work on establishing your tacking angles during a practice session where you have time to be thorough.
• Determine tacking angles for different types of sails, sea conditions, and wind velocities and write down your results for quick racing reference.
• Watch for current and wave action that can increase or decrease your tacking angle on any one tack.
• Keep a sharp lookout for wind shifts up the course, as they can allow you to tack earlier or force you to over stand the mark.