BoatBanter.com - View Single Post

On 10 Nov 2003 16:45:59 -0800, (Shawn
Marshall) wrote:

I have often heard the phrase "Tack On Headers" and supposedly this
tactic is used to help you recognise a shift. What I dont understand
is how much of a header is a HEADER ? I often notice when I'm being
knocked and if I sail on a little longer I may be lifted again so ask
myself was that a header I should've tacked on ? I often wait till I'm
nocked persistently e.g. compass heading changes so that I'm sailing a
persistently lower coarse and then tack but I feel like I've missed
the lift by this time. Should I just tack as soon as I notice the
header or wait a little to see how it plays out ? I would really
appreciate your opinions on this one.

You have asked a more complicated question than you intended. It
depends on a lot of things. If you can tack without loss, or nearly so
(like a 505, for example) you will want to react to much smaller
headers than you would if a tack is a big investment.

OTOH, sometimes a header is a (kinda sorta) stationary geographical
shift, like coming to a river bank. Then it may be advantageous to
sail into it for some distance, so you will stay in the (now lifted)
wind for more time.

If you have a small jib and big main, and you are in a tacking duel
with a boat with a small main and big genoa, you may be able to wear
down the crew on the other boat by tacking on every small shift.

HTH

Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a

"Curse thee, thou quadrant. No longer will I guide my earthly way by thee." Capt. Ahab