mudeford sailing club

HOW NOT TO START

The diagram above illustrates a common and potentially serious misconception about starts. It most often happens on start lines that are biased to starboard, and all sailors should take great care at this sort of start line NOT to do what boats 2, 4, 5 and 6 are doing!

This is the situation: during the start: all boats can luff up as far as head to wind to create space to leeward and to keep other boats away from “their” chosen bit of water. No-one has a right to water at the start boat (or the ODM). All boats must obey the “upwind boat keeps clear” rule. Etc etc!

Boat no 3 is in a very good position, and can get a good start in clean wind at full speed very near the best end of the line (ie nearest the upwind mark)

Boat no 1 is aiming to get the best possible start and can luff boat 2 into the committee boat and make him have to tack off or even collect a 720 if he is really feeling difficult.

Boat no 2 is also hoping to get the best start but is in serious trouble if boat 1 luffs up head to wind. He is not entitled to water at the committee boat.

Boats 4, 5 and 6 are in real trouble!  Are you listening?  They are “upwind boats” to everyone close-hauled. They cannot reach in to the start line because they are not entitled to room at the committee boat and as the “gap” between boats 1 and 2 and the committee boat closes, will be shut out and in danger of colliding with the CB, themselves and the other boats.  What makes it worse is they they will be travelling at speed into the “gap” with nowhere to go when it closes.

Boat 7 has a good conservative start well out of trouble.

Boat 8 is at the wrong end of the start line, but has a clear start in clean wind and may beat 2,4,5,and 6 if they have to do penalty turns.

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