Have you noticed how some sailors stretch out ahead upwind, while others fall back? Part of making good progress upwind is keeping the boat to an optimal angle of heel. Too little and you give up power, too much and you might feel fast, but are losing height. The Merit 25 is wide at the waterline, […]
On the dock after the race I was asked if there are specific tips for racing in light wind and theanswer is that there very definitely are. I’ve listed the most important ones below. At the start: In light wind it takes much longer to get to the line, especially against the current. Get up close […]
The photo shows all five major keys to sailing upwind: Hi Racers, (and cruisers who like to make good time upwind), Our racing venue tends to create a ‘parade’ between the start and the end of the channel and the first chance boats have to separate and seek strategic advantage is on the windward leg. […]
Peter sailing his home constructed prototype Moth in 1979 (when Moths sailed on the water). Peter was my sailing coach for 15 years! A question came up on the Spinnaker Forum about why the wind always feels less when it’s behind the beam. This is an opportunity for us to dive into the concept of apparent […]
It’s April, and for San Francisco Bay sailors that means one thing: Flame on! Starting about now, our famous winds start up — and keep going. Within a few weeks, we’ll be having our usual small craft advisories on the bay just about every afternoon. If you sail here, it’s something you come to view […]