Questions identifying start line maneuver (CFJ)

Posted by RichDogy3@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 9 comments

Let me preface this with saying I’m not the greatest sailor, I’ve only been sailing for around 3-4 months now at my high school club I’m dedicated to learning all that I can and was wondering what one of the more experienced sailors was doing

My scuffed description: when we were on the start line we would do somewhat of an acceleration ( rocking boat and then flattening out ) but instead of turning down leeward we would slide up windward to push up the boats that we had rights on. Some of the people on the team argued that it was against the rules but the guy that did it said it was changed later in the rule book ( Southern California by the way if the rules are location specific ), to be honest I trust the guy that did it since he does sailing in college now.

What I was wondering is identifying what the maneuver is, what rules may allow or limit the maneuver, or any other tips for the CFJ or high school sailing honestly

TLDR: identifying maneuver about sliding windward at start line using boat rock and other things

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underasail@reddit

A typical FJ start in college would involve both maneuvers you mentioned somewhat depending on conditions. In a midline start with boats tight on both sides, you'd often heal to leeward first to power the boat up with a more favorable angle to the wind. This technically serves two purposes which satisfy the rules for the most part. You are allowed to use the heel of the boat to help with steering, and the steering will eventually require you to straighten out. At which point you can flatten the boat and gain some speed.

Under sections of rule 42, you're not allowed to come out of a tack or a gybe with greater speed than you entered. This is most applicable in low wind. You can't just keep roll tacking to rebuild speed. As a lake sailor, I've been protested by race committee for this.

The heel used to turn the boat down doesn't facilitate a tack or gybe, and the reasonable expectation from turning the boat down is an increase in speed. This same concept applies to turning the boat back up for cross the line and begin pointing. You heel to leeward to help the boat turn to windward and then flatten while trimming the sails to point close to the wind.

All of these actions increase the speed of the boat, and to some extent, each race environment and R/C is going to permit different amounts encroachment on rule 42. College is generally more permissive, but it primarily applies in low wind races to movements that far exceed what would reasonably help steer the boat without excess acceleration.

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RichDogy3@reddit (OP)

That’s really cool! I like your analysis of this and the rules. Do you know how to do this ( as crew and skipper ) to go up windwards but not go past the start line? ( to slide exclusively windward ). Also any tips on perfecting the roll ( gybe, tack, acceleration ) ?

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underasail@reddit

In short, it's impossible to move directly to windward without getting into exceptions like foils and gybing centerboards. Physics just doesn't allow it, especially from a relatively full stop. Turning down somewhat is essential unless you're already moving. In a competitive start, everyone will bunch up on the favored end of the line, and a good acceleration is essential. You can drill holding a place on the line with any stationary object in the water (marks work great if you have them). Just try and stay close it as much as possible. There's always drift to some extent, but you can get a lot better at holding a position and knowing when you can't hold a spot anymore and need to bail. You're constantly fighting to stay as still as possible in hopes that you're better than the group to your leeward and can gain more space to turn down and accelerate into.

Not being on the wrong side of the start line at go is all of this combined with knowing where the start line is, and ideally having some reference beyond it that you've checked previously to help. This intuition and the rest of it comes well with practice and sometimes getting it wrong. Learning the movements of the boat and how to best apply them takes time, but rudderless sailing is amazing practice. You can still do full roll tacks while rudderless sailing, and it helps you learn the effects of your actions in the boat. I used to start most practices with 15 or so minutes of rudderless sailing to get back in touch with the boat and your crew/skipper.

Practice is always the best teacher, but holding a mark and rudderless sailing are great drills to expand your skills specifically alongside you just practicing tons of starts, accelerations, tacks, gybes while you have time.

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Brwdr@reddit

This is good but missing part of the likely maneuver.

It sounds like the other boat was crabbing. The boat is accelerated, turned up almost head to wind but not quite. I could write a very long explanation or post a video of it.

https://youtu.be/TnCf2JlKAjs?t=1047

Crabbing is not illegal though some classes like the ILCA/Laser fleet have added rules against crabbing to their class rules.

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SnooEpiphanies1220@reddit

Did he push his boom out and slide to windward? This is called “crabbing” to windward. If reach in with speed, stick your nose slightly past head to wind, lift your centerboard and push you boom out… you can slide sides up the line. Pull the tiller towards you to reorient the boat and put the board back down.

This is a legal move, but in the eyes of the rules you’re moving backwards and have no rights so if anyone has to avoid you it’s a foul.

This move is best used if someone is trying to hook you on the line and you have a gap to windward. You can allow them to hook you but then regain your gap to leeward by crabbing up the line

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RichDogy3@reddit (OP)

Oh! I saw those rules before but I was not sure if it was applied to everyone ( as in both college and high school level ), thanks for clearing that up for me!