Hmm... well, I think there is a spot when there's zero heel, but it may not
be sustainable upwind. Assuming no current and light wind, it seems like you
would want some heel.

I've always used the term heading up or pinching up. I guess you did say
something about falling off before attempting to heading up.

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

"Maxprop" wrote in message
ink.net...

"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