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There was a time when I thought the only thing I could do with my 30 sailboat was go in and out of bays. When I discovered sailboat racing I found out how wrong I was.
by DouglasMalat
There was a time when I thought the only thing I could do with my 30 sailboat was go in and out of bays. When I discovered sailboat racing I found out how wrong I was.
Suddenly, weekends were more meaningful and filled with excitement. I wasted no time recruiting my friends as crew members. I was determined to win. Races varied from weaving in and out of buoys to zipping around islands. One of the first things I learned was that I had to understand the tides and the winds. That was crucial to gaining the competitive edge.
At times, you'll find yourself up against the tide. Then you'll want to find the lighter side of the tide. When the tide is with you, you'll want to find the strongest part to give you a boost in speed. The same goes for the winds. Closer to shore, the warm land generates winds that blow onshore. It's better to ride with them than to sail in the middle of the bay where the winds are not as strong. A mere 3 knots difference can be all you need to beat out your competitors.
Long time sailboat racers have beaten me many times. I recall on one occasion being certain I was going to win. A sailboat was turning as if it was heading back. I was passing the very last buoy before the finish line. Was I ever tricked! That sailboat found stronger winds and beat me to the finish line. That was an important lesson learned. Over time, you master the techniques and it becomes automatic. I learned the hard way and faced much frustration, but, ultimately, when I figured it all out, there was plenty of excitement. Short races lasting a few hours turned to races one week long.
There have been times when the winds turned wild along the race. I've witnessed injured sailors being rescued by helicopters. Other times, there was no wind at all. I won a race by drifting along, thanks to my deep keel or wide beam. No matter the conditions, the more you race the more you figure out how to win in any conditions. The key is figuring out your boat's point of sail - that's when your boat is most comfortable. That's when racing becomes effortless for the boat and the crew. Then it's just like riding a bicycle - you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
About the Author:
Captain Douglas Malat is a co-creator of YachtAuthority.com, a website where you will find great selections of racing sailboats for sale in your area. |
