Tactics

[Mercator]

Like to get a few ideas on tatics the group is using to gain speed. In Courses like Bermuda Auto Trim Race, I find I'm always using the 30 deg or less close haul. sometimes it works but under high wind conditions seems like I'm a snail in the water. Speak up, makes for better competition.

thx :-)

[The Monk]

I can never run closer than about 40 unless wind is super high. Find closer to 50 gives me more speed but of course wider tacks. I've been trying to watch some of the better racers when competing against them to see what they are doing. I can be properly trimmed up, running prettymuch exact same angles on same tack and lose ground to them. So I dunno. I keep trying different things and racing where ever I can against the best.

[Mercator]

Agree with your comments. I should have stated 30 deg was my AWA. I had suggested to the Devs on different colored TWA and AWA needles with matching header. When tacking you tend to be looking to get back on the same TWA. The current needles can overlap causing some confusion between the two.

[The Monk]

Agreed there, I have NFI at all usually which needel is which, just look at the numbers.

[TommyCods]

I've heard Auto-Trim is not necessary 100% correct at 100% of all sailing situations. I do agree with The Monk, the experience sailors out there really know the "fine adjustments" to the art of sailing. Tactics and trimming. I am in the same boat (pun intended) as The Monk. I feel I get everything trimmed up as best as I know how, but still see "those guys" pull ahead. I believe it all comes from experience and knowledge. That's what makes this Sim so great! I recently purchased a book "Getting Started in Sailboat Racing" 2nd edition, by Adam Cort and Richard Stearns. I am sure there are others out there, but this book is easy to understand and I believe the knowledge gain will eventually help my Sim sailing.

There are also a multitude of YouTube videos out there too. Nomad has put up some great ones that focus on Sailaway and they are great! Search on YouTube for "n01487477" and subscribe to his channel.

I also must agree, having the ability to change the color (even if it is only black for day sailing and white for night sailing) would be a hugh help for us serious racers! If there was only one change that could be made for the next update; that would be my choice.

Happy Sailing!

[Mercator]

I would say, first of all give yourself a helping hand. Being on the start line is probably a good way to shave off some time and keep ypu close to the pack. For the beginner having your sails preset for your first leg can let you focus on your course line with out early trimming. Arrive early enough to see the course layout and the type of sail and reaches you will be using. My biggest fault seems to be fumbling with the keys. Need to set my hotkeys up. Anyone have binding tips that they use.?

[The Monk]

I tend to do that. I get to the course as early as I can, even a day ahead if possible, have alook, run it and try and figure out which sail for which bouy etc. I still make a mockery of it at race time but getting better. I also for shorter races run the course at least once, twice if I have time. I also try to practice timing the start so as to be across the line as close to the horn as I can get

I dont use any kind of auto trim help, am on full expert and with no RL or virtual sailing of this type under my belt I am still learning from scratch and find racing the best way to learn fast and under the pump.

Hotkeys wise Mercator I use the defualt bindings, have not found a reason to changem them, but would like more bingings for more lines (vang outhaul etc) and the option to turn off the mouse click selection of lines (or TrackIR support) so as to use mouse only for looking and hotkyes for line selection. I find having to two mixed now is very cumbersome and gets in the road of each other when you are tyring to look at other boats, turn the helm, make sail changes etc passing a mark.

[Capt.Jamesbloke]

Its all about wind and sail. I am under the impression that there is a lot more at stake, such as the size of boat and sail, how much variance is there to the wind direction the the force of the wind and that old trigonometry thing. Whilst sailing the Rose I could get 15' close haul. If the wind had variance of direction, as most winds do, I adjusted it to 17' and sail to AWA depending on force and set sail to wind.

At the Bering Sraights there were wind shifts of 40' whereby sailing to the wind would be not best.

Also take into account how long your voyage is and things like If tack in one direction, is it taking you into harsher conditions ie.Opposing currents or the duldrums.

No one solution!

[The Monk]

In long races, it is both a lot harder and a lot easier to try and think on what is coming up. You will often have a number of hours to make a informed decsion on your course, and general tactical moves tend to cover more time and distance unless you are having a close race with someone or am trying to sneak into a better position by throwing everything at it while the competiton may be offline.

Short racing, much different, decisions have to be faster and conditions on course will have less variance unless the course is in tricky terrain.

We will see some sailors will be more specialists at one form or another racing, and of course we will have what we called in the motor racing business "aliens" who just go fast wherever in whatever whenever.

[Tangent]

Upwind, I usually stick to something more like 37* or 35* TWA. I find hull speed starts to drop off quickly below 33*. The wind shifts in Sailaway are pretty predictable. If the BTW is upwind from the wind angle, it's time to think about tacking, unless the wind is just about to swing back.

On a reach, just sail directlly to the next mark, and adjust your sails as the wind shifts. For the MiniTransat, I use the Jib below 90*, and the Code0 from 90*-120*. In some cases, I'll fall off with the wind to keep my TWA above 90* so I don't have to switch sails and I can keep my speed up, though that means I have to make up ground as soon as the wind lifts. If I fall off too far and VMC starts to drop, I'll just change headsails and put up the Jib.
For the Cruiser38, I use the Gennaker above 100*, following the same patterns as above.

On a downwind leg, I use the Gennaker, and keep my TWA at 160* to keep my speed up. That means I'm gybing downwind as the wind shifts and veering back and forth towards the mark/finish to maximize VMC.

Other things...
I check the Trim tab extensively to make sure my sails are set properly. Usually, on upwind and downwind legs I can set and forget since I'm adjusting helm to maintain TWA, but on a reach it's really important to adjust the sails and maintain COG.

This is more strategy than tactics, but I always try to cross the start line ASAP. That means planning to be on the line before the clock starts, so you can head up and get on course the moment the race starts. Any delay will have serious consequences for placement on the finish line.

I like to spend as little time rounding marks and switching sails as possible. On the Cruiser38, I can tack much faster by moving helm manually with the cursor. The Mini is much more responsive, so I tack with 'A' or 'D' while watching my COG on the map to put myself on course, and simultaneously lower my headsail with 'W' as I'm rounding the mark. As soon as it's lowered, I use 'Q' or 'E' to get the next headsail halyard selected, and start hauling it up on 'S'.
This is a tricky thing to get right, because it requires a lot of multi-tasking, and a close feel for when to start lowering sail so that you don't lose speed right when you need it to get around the mark.
The easiest way to practice is by running the Slalom to Ovalau challenge. Again and again.

Good luck and looking forward to racing you!

[The Monk]

Thanks for that post. This is what I have been trying to do exaclty. I still have issues with actually anticipating what angle I will be at on certain marks but that will come with experience. I've already made much progress with my racing since I started a couple of weeks back.

I can also reiterate using the Slalom to Ovalau challenge to practice, and used it myself extensively to get the hang of the mini in particular and have recommended doing it in game to others.

[chris]

The other thing you can do is document your sailing, so if you Ro a race take note of what went well and what you need to improve on

[Mercator]

Hotkeys. I've changed my clockwise and counter clockwise to the keypad 1 and 3 keys along with the foresheet select to 5 and main sheet to 2. Finding this alows for both hands to be used. In addition starting to pre launch the Genaker by hauling it to two or three percent so its visible on the deck as a reminder rounding the gybe mark. Same with the Genoa when rounding to a upwind mark. Give it a try.