Tactics Tips: Using Leverage

Over the course of the next two weeks, Sound Boatworks will be featuring "Tactics Tips" from Bill Gladstone of North U.  These are teaser tips and more can be found in Bill's wide range of CDs, DVDs and Books from North U, available for purchase here on our online store.  Be sure to leave comments or questions for us or Bill and we will do our best to answer them.

Using Leverage

The greater your lateral separation from your rivals – that is, the further you are spread out across the course – the greater your leverage.  Increasing leverage increases the impact of wind shifts.   The greater your leverage the more you stand to gain (OR LOSE) in the next shift.  You want leverage when you know where the next shift is coming from and can sail to it.  You should minimize leverage when you are uncertain of what might happen next.

You might be surprised at how quickly leverage accrues.  For example, splitting tacks for 1 minute at 6 knots provides 848 feet of leverage (for boats tacking through 90 deg).  A 10 deg shift results in a gain (or loss) of 25% of the leverage, or 212 feet.  

So, to catch up when behind, you don’t need to split tacks for long.  In just a minute or two you can get substantial leverage.  Sail fast and look for an opportunity to split tacks when you can anticipate a shift.