Why would bearing off without easing the main increase the speed? I think it would
increase the heel, the leeway, and start the keel stalling. You'll be starting the tack
heeled more and have 10 degrees further to turn. All in all, it seems like a pretty silly
thing to do.

Its a lot like the way young girls drive a car: veering to the right before a left turn.



"Simple Simon" wrote in message
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"Doug Miller" wrote in message
. ..
sailed with another fellow today, who suggested that during the tack, that i
not pull the head sail sheet in too soon, but leave the sail full as the
boat swings around, and then only after establishing new heading, trim the
sail.

That guy also does not know what he's doing. The best way to tack
quickly, surely and without sailing past 90 degrees is:

1) Sail as close-hauled as your boat can handle and still make good headway

2) Both main and jib should have windward telltales lifting and leeward telltales
streaming straight back.

3) Leaving both sails trimmed in tight, head off about ten degrees and increase
your boat speed.

4) Then head up in a graceful but purposeful curve so as to not rub off too much
speed. Don't stall the rudder.

5) Watch the jib. When the jib backs and comes over on the opposite side
so it is aback let fly the windward sheet and haul in on the leeward sheet.
If you do this turn with the proper speed and dispatch and you are sharp with
handling the jib sheets your mainsail will actually "POP" to the other
side making a popping sound.

6) You should now be sailing on the other tack and still have good speed
and have only turned through about 90 degrees from your original
closed-hauled course.