Interesting post.
There's an old adage ..... the best helmsman is the laziest guy on the boat.
Reason?
Generally he will figure out how to do the least amount of work to keep
the boat on course, realizing that if he keeps the boat on course, he
doesn't have to work ...... BG

otn



Joe wrote:
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