How to Set Up a Starting Line in Sailboat Racing

As a racer you should know how to set a starting line. How else will you be able to criticize the race committee if you haven't done it yourself?

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• VHF Radios
• Handheld GPS Navigation System
• Binoculars
• Anchor Chains
• Anchor Lines
• Anchors
• Binoculars
• Compasses
• Sailboats
• Starting Pin With Flag

1. Make sure you have enough anchor line to let out a scope of 3-to-1 (three feet of line for every one foot of depth).

2. Tie one end of the line to the anchor and the other to the mark using bowlines.

3. Pull your mark-set boat alongside the anchored committee boat and take a wind reading on your compass. The bow of the committee boat should be pointing almost directly into the wind.

4. Watch the wind for several minutes to see whether it shifts to the right or left.

5. Drive your mark-set boat to the left at a 90-degree angle just abeam from the committee boat when you are satisfied that the wind will remain constant.

6. Count the number of boats racing in each class, and stop your boat when there is enough room for the largest fleet to safely negotiate the starting line. This can be as short as 100 feet for a small dinghy fleet or as long as 200 yards or more for a larger fleet of big boats.

7. Drop your mark when your distance is safe enough to fit your largest fleet and the line you draw from your pin to the committee boat is perpendicular to the wind.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the starting line between the first race and second race rather than between classes - especially if all classes are sailing the same course.
• Understand that the wind sometimes shifts unpredictably, which can make your starting line seem overly favored on one end.
• No matter how good a job you do, some racer will have a complaint for you back at the yacht club.

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