All true, except one doesn't enter the boat's zen. The zen is the
combination of all the elements of the situation. One becomes part of that.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Joe" wrote in message
oups.com...
Concentrating driving for one hour is hard work.

yeah "Driving" a boat is not a science and those who approch it like a
science wear out quick. The trick IMO is to be one with the boat...to
enter the boat's zen. Then you can helm you boat like a lady. Moving
with her thru every curve..soft to the touch.. anticapiting her every
move and need.

The most often mistake I've seen time after time after time is someone
over working the helm...ie: driving the boat.

While sailing downwind driving, its real work keeping the
boat moving, pointed in the right direction, while trying
to surf. Upwind there is the danger of pinching or falling
below the groove. If you have some skills, driving a boat
like this can be done fairly well. Novices would have an
easier time sailing upwind than downwind.


Driving well is how a boat gets separation from the fleet.
In my opinion driving upwind well creates the biggest gains
on a race course.

IMO those who are in the groove help the boat find the path of least
resistance on any course, they give her helm what she needs before she
asks. They become unconsciously competent to the boats needs... top
that with a well balanced set of sails and leading a lady thru the
water is a pleasure... not a chore.

Joe