How to Win ~ Reaching starts How to Win ~ Sail fast in waves
Ruling the waves Sailing fast in big waves is the most exhilarating facet of being afloat. Jon Emmett coaches you through the troughs and crests at top speed
H
ave you ever stood in the sea and felt the action of the waves on your legs? The surge as the waves push you forward towards the beach and then the sucking action pulling you back out to sea. That is
correct: the waves don’t simply ‘go one way’ and the way we steer in waves can have a huge effect on our Velocity Made Good (VMG). This is why we often see bigger speed differences in wavy conditions than in flat water racing. You have probably noticed the
Fig 1
wave effect many times before, especially when you are trying to hold a boat by the beach when launching or waiting for your trolley BELOW to recover your boat, but have you WATER FLOW IN A WAVE Water flow in a wave really thought about the current between waves which at one point is pushing and another point pulling? ABOVE Blasting down waves is one of the greatest thrills in sailing
HIGH WATER HEIGHT
ACTUALLY CHANGES
WATER FLOW IN A WAVE
TIDE TIMES
86
JUNE 2021 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting
CURRENT HERE
TIME
