Sailing in light air can be frustrating and maddening at times. And it seems like light air is all we get here in St. Louis. Everyone's boat is moving but yours and yours is moving backwards. What are you doing wrong? Here are a few tips to help when the wind gets light.
Adjust your sails properly. First of all you have to know that for light air the sails have to be set loose and be able to freely move from side to side with little or no impedance. Many goosenecks bind or there is too much friction on the jib pivot for the very light winds to overcome. Use light sheets so they won't drag on the decks and bind either sail. Consider using a counter balance on your jib to help overcome the excessive strain of the forestay pressure.
Be ready for each puff. Light winds will blow from any direction. That means that you have to be ready to take advantage of the frequent changes by letting your sails free in the lulls. Watch the race leaders and see that when they are on a hard beat to a windward mark and the wind quits they let the sails loose to wait for the next puff. If the puff happens to come from the side or the stern he is the first one to notice and take advantage of the shift, if your sails are still set for a hard beat your boat won't move. Let your sails out about halfway so that no matter where the next puff comes from you are ready to take advantage of it and move up the racecourse.
Be aware of headers and lifts. Did you ever notice when you were on a hard beat almost straight to a windward mark and all of a sudden you were heading way off the mark. You just got hit by a header. A header is a non-favorable wind shift, which will send you away from the mark. Just the opposite of a header is a lift. A lift can send you right towards a mark while sending your opponents on an opposite tack off in the wrong direction. When headed to a windward mark always try to stay within roughly a 90 degree angle cone below the mark, tacking on headers or lifts and always keeping your boat's forward motion towards the mark. Watch the ripples on the pond surface and the boats that are in front of you for headers and lifts. If you can see a header or a lift hit the boat in front of you soon enough you can tack and be ready for it by the time it arrives at your boat.
Pay attention. With light winds the race is won bit by bit. Move your boat a couple of feet or more on each puff by simply being ready for each puff or breath of wind. Stay clear of the competition and take advantage of each and every puff. Concentrate on making your boat move through the racecourse. Watching the competition is often counter-productive because while he is concentrating on making his boat move through the racecourse you are not. Find a practice pond near your home and go out in light winds to find out how to get the most from your boat in light winds.