Big Fleets & How to Survive them !

by

Colin McMullen

April 2002

Big Fleets & How to Survive them !

• Learn how to avoid the dangers of the Coffin Corner, the Snow Fence, Cornersville, Dodgems R Us and other assorted sea monsters which try to drag you to the back of the fleet.

• Use the Three Categories, Mid Line Sag, the Swoop, the Triangle, the Gear Change and the Late Charge to get ahead. Learn when to slow down.

Wind rises over top of boats Less wind to Windward of clump as well as Leeward Hard to break away at start Occurs especially at Start, STP, Lee Gate

– Before the Start

• Decide on Category I, II or III (per Stuart Walker)

• Category One – “one side is obviously favoured”

Due to Tide, Wind Bend, more wind, smoother water, local knowledge, etc. Persistent Shift due to synoptic change (check layers versus heaps) Start so as you can attain the favoured tack as soon as possible Sail as far as possible (or as far as you dare) towards the favoured side Predictions for the Wind are rarely better than 80% accurate so be a little cautious Predictions for Tidal Streams are 90% accurate, more reliable. Make sure you know the duration & speed of the streams (Tidal Range in DB varies from 1.9 to 4.4 metres).

• Category Two – Oscillating Shifts

Refers to regular oscillations – not random shifts Characterised by blue sky, Offshore Wind & Cumulus Clouds Essential to measure the shifts before the start The Larger the clouds, the longer between shifts and the larger the shift Start so as to get onto the favoured tack as soon as possible and below the other boats (to get the new shift first) Tack whenever headed below the mean Downwind – get on & stay on the favoured gybe (“Head Start”) Beware of headers which leave you above the mean Beware of an Oscillation which does not end before end of the leg – this is a persistent shift ! Avoid the Corners

• Category Three – neither side is favoured or you don’t know

Stay on favoured tack Avoid the Corners

• Category 1 & 2 are often present together

• Light Air is always Category One !

• Beats 2 & 3 are usually Category Three

– The Start

Have a plan, but be prepared to alter it Your Plan should be take account of the 3 Categories Know length of the line in minutes/seconds Get a Transit Some Strategies: Timed Run Port Tack Base Leg Swoop Start if line is square & long enough If you see a boat behind you trying to get into your space, before you are overlapped: Luff if he tries to go above you Bear Away if he tries to get below you Don’t always try to win the Start but do get in the Front Row ! Try to start in such a way that you can go to the side of the course you want (if any) If you are going to be early & want to bail out, do it sooner rather than later Know the Flags, esp. Z Watch out for Mid Line Sag, esp. after a few generals

• 1st Beat

• Except in Category I, move Out early, then get back towards the middle, play the shifts, avoid the corners at all costs.

• Cornersville (Population 1)

• Starboard Tack Parade – join early or late ?

• Use Tactical lines to judge how crowded the mark will be

• Lee going Tide exacerbates the Coffin Corner (1995)

• STP causes a wind shift, this can be used

• STP reduces speed dramatically for boats below it (Snow Fence Effect)

– Wing Mark

• Beware of an early gybe if it would bring you to leeward of a mass of boats on the Wing Leg.

• Get in Phase with Shifts – these pass you slower than to Windward

• Avoid clumps of Boats, even if you are to Windward of them (Snow Fence Effect)

– Lee Gate

• Although less crowded than a single mark, there is an increased risk of going the “wrong” way, because of shifts, strategy, etc• Choose the side of the gate that allows you to go the way you want and at the same time, avoid passing through the boats on the run.

• Once you are committed to one side of the Gate:

• If in a bunch, or worse still, outside one, slow down & make a run to get an overlap.

• 2nd & 3rd Beats are always Category III

• Further Reading

• If you can only read one book, read Dave Perry’s book “Winning in One Designs”

• If you can only read 4 books, read Perry and Stuart Walker’s “Advanced Racing Tactics”

• I also recommend “Wind Strategy” by David Houghton.

• Enjoy !

Fun !

• Most people want to have fun when they sail

• But: they usually spell fun

• W

• I

• N

Psychology

• Set Realistic Goals

• Difference between wishing & wanting

• Learn how to coach yourself

• Importance of Team Work

• Importance of Practice

• How to handle setbacks

Big Fleet Scenario

Boat Speed is King Tactics are completely different to small fleets Be prepared to duck 1 or 5 or even 10 boats if by

doing so, you can get to better wind/tide or onto a favourable tack, etc.

Big Fleet Scenarios - cont.

Tactical Lines on deck are essential Clumps of Boats are slow (inward looking, Snow

Fence Effect) Try to get into clear air & water If you can’t, don’t forget to change gear – i.e. trim for

more power, increased angle of attack. Etc. (more depth, more halyard tension, more twist)

Fleet Behaviour may deteriorate – ignore it ! If you are going to protest, you need a witness

Boat Speed

Ability to sail fast in a wide variety of conditions Ability to change gear when required, e.g. Point or Foot at start when required Change settings for confused wind/water Ability to sail fast even if cold, tired, cross, after a

collision, setback, etc.

Importance of the Snow Fence effect

Wind rises over top of boats Less wind to Windward of clump as well as

Leeward Hard to break away at start Occurs especially at Start, STP, Lee Gate Causes a Wind Bend if boats are lined up (e.g.

at start or STP),

Before the Start

• Decide on Category I, II or III (per Stuart Walker)

Category One “one side is obviously favoured”

• Due to Tide, Wind Bend, more wind, smoother water, local knowledge, etc.

• Persistent Shift due to synoptic change (check layers versus heaps)

• Start so as you can attain the favoured tack as soon as possible

• Sail as far as possible (or as far as you dare) towards the favoured side

• Predictions for the Wind are rarely better than 80% accurate so be cautious

• Predictions for Tidal Streams are 90% accurate, more reliable. Make sure you know the duration & speed of the streams (Tidal Range in DB varies from 1.9 to 4.4 metres).

Category Two Oscillating Shifts

Refers to regular oscillations – not random shifts Characterised by blue sky, Offshore Wind & Cumulus

Clouds Essential to measure the shifts before the start The Larger the clouds, the longer between shifts and the

larger the shift Start so as to get onto the favoured tack as soon as

possible and below the other boats (to get the new shift first)

Category Two Oscillating Shifts

• Tack whenever headed below the mean • Cross’em when you can - don’t let them cross you• Beware of headers which leave you above the mean• Beware of an Oscillation which does not end before

end of the leg – this is a persistent shift !• Avoid the Corners - no shift can help you

(Cornersville, Pop. 1) • Downwind – get on & stay on the favoured gybe

(“Head Start”)

Category Three – neither side is favoured or you don’t know

Get on & Stay on favoured tack/gybe Cover majority of boats Avoid the Corners

Variations on Categories

• Category 1 & 2 are often present together

• Light Air is always Category One !

• Beats 2 & 3 are usually Category Three, unless you are behind; then stick with rules for 1 & 2

Dublin Bay Category One Situations

• Tide !!!

• Westerly - Cat’s 1 & 2

• Westerly - Sea Breeze reversal

• Easterly Sea Breeze will veer later

The Start

Have a plan, but be prepared to alter it Your Plan should be take account of the 3

Categories Know length of the line in minutes/seconds Get a Transit Some Strategies:

Timed Run Port Tack Base Leg Swoop Start if line is square & long enough

The Start - continued

Don’t always try to win the Start but do get in the Front Row !

Ensure you start in such a way that you can go to the side of the course you want (if any)

If you are going to be early & want to bail out, do it sooner rather than later

Know the Flags, esp. Z Watch out for Mid Line Sag, esp. after a few

generals

First Beat

• Except in Category I, move Out early, then get back towards the middle, play the shifts, avoid the corners at all costs.

• Cornersville (Population 1)• Use the Triangle• Wind Bend can alter Triangle• Tide can squash or extend the Triangle• Stay inside and ahead of boats to Windward• Cross’em when you can - don’t let them cross you

Windward Mark

• Starboard Tack Parade – join early or late ?• Use Tactical lines to judge how crowded the mark will

be• Lee going Tide exacerbates the Coffin Corner (1995)• STP causes a wind shift, this can be used• STP reduces speed dramatically for boats below it

(Snow Fence Effect)

Wing Mark / Run

• Beware of an early gybe if it would bring you to leeward of a mass of boats on the Wing Leg.

• Get in Phase with Shifts – these pass you slower than to Windward

• Avoid clumps of Boats, even if you are to Windward of them (Snow Fence Effect)

Lee Gate

• Although less crowded than a single mark, there is an increased risk of going the “wrong” way, because of shifts, strategy, etc

• Choose the side of the gate that allows you to go the way you want and at the same time, avoid passing through the boats on the run.

• Once you are committed to one side of the Gate:• If in a bunch, or worse still, outside one, SLOW

DOWN & make a run to get an overlap.

What do the Good Guys do ?

• Fast - if they are not, they adjust settings to try to fix it

• Organised - boat handling, rules, SI, etc.

• Play the Percentages - no unnecessary risks

• Controlled Aggression

• Mentally tough

• Make up places at marks

• 1-2-3

• 1 - what goes on in your boat

• 2 - what goes on in 2 boat length circle around you

• 3 - Big picture - looking for a strategic or tactical advantage

• 1 & 2 are on automatic so they can concentrate on finding a “3”

Further Reading

• If you can only read one book, read Dave Perry’s book “Winning in One Designs”

• If you can only read 4 books, read Perry and Stuart Walker’s “Advanced Racing Tactics”

• For coaching yourself, read RYA Race Training Manual or Eric Twiname’s “Sail, Race & Win”

• I also recommend “Wind Strategy” by David Houghton.

Enjoy !