How to Maximize Upwind Sailboat Speed

Upwind boat speed doesn't have to cost you pointing ability. Proper tuning, sail trim and driving play a big role.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knot Meter
• Sailing Gloves
• Handheld GPS Navigation System
• Felt-tip Pens
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Compasses
• Winch Handles
• Wind Gauges

1. Mark your halyards for low, medium and high wind settings and top them appropriately.

2. Place your jib leads in a good upwind setting prior to racing upwind.

3. Increase your backstay and outhaul as the wind builds.

4. Use your traveler to keep the boom close to centerline.

5. Trim the jib and main so that the telltales are streaming horizontally aft.

6. Tighten foot and leech cords if the jib is flapping in one or both of those areas.

7. Keep as many bodies on the rail as necessary to maintain a relatively flat boat or slight heel.

8. Drive "within the groove" and by your telltales. Head up after the boat has power and you have good boat speed; head down when you point high enough that the boat loses speed and the heel flattens.

9. Steer aggressively, but with fine rudder movements.

10. Tack with a smooth, even turn and readjust as quickly as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Do everything possible to keep up your boat speed. It's much easier to lose speed than to regain it.
• Allow time for your rudder movements to register. Big rudder movements will force you to overcompensate and cause drag, which acts like a brake.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 11/22/2005 Going upwind, you want to make sure that you tack as close to the mark as possible, trying to make 45 degree tacks back and forth. You don't want to be on a reach when you are going upwind, because it will only make the distance greater to the mark.