"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Keeping a boat on it's feet vs. excessive heeling... that's what you're
saying right? Because zero heel may indicate pinching too much.

No. There is no such thing as zero heel--a boat will always heel when
beating to windward unless it's a small dinghy with a 300lb. skipper and
similarly-sized crew. But limiting the heel to a practical minimum will
generally allow better helm control and less leeway slippage. It also keeps
the sailplan presented to the wind more optimally.

I'm not sure what you mean by feathering with respect to light air.

Feathering is the act of turning the boat into the wind (somewhat) during
puffs and when moving well, but it is done only briefly, with a feel for the
inevitable loss of speed that accompanies such a maneuver. At the first
sign of the boat beginning to slow, the boat is pulled back to its original
course. Learning to feather a boat to windward can make a big difference,
especially when attempting to make a mark that is just above the rhumb line.
Essentially it is the act of trading speed and momentum for pointing
ability. Feathering is difficult in light air, and ill advised in drifter
conditions.

Max