Upwind Positioning

by Dave Acree

How many times have you raced upwind on a port tack and finding yourself converging with a boat on a opposite starboard tack? If so you will soon have to make some decisions. Do you have room to cross or will you have to duck astern? Should you cover the other boat?

The main point to consider is what is your position on the course? Are you on the favored side or heading towards to where the wind is at? What ever the situation is it pays to cover your opponent.

If your side is favored, don't cross but tack and maintain a wide lateral separation. However, if crossing gives you an advantage and if you have a comfortable lead, cross and tack in front and slightly windward. This will force the other boat to sail in disturbed air or cause them to tack to the unfavored side of the course.

If you find your crossing too close, tack into a lee bow position and have your bow out in front. This could force them to tack away.

If a close crossing situation is where you find yourself in, duck astern and sail a boat length and tack to windward. This could put you into clear air.

The one different situation is this. Once after crossing and you are sailing apart and there maybe a wind shift. You are then not covering your opponent and the wind gives him a lift and the lead! The other situation is you don't tack after the cross, you find a puff and sail on the favored side to win!

It all comes down to what is happening at the moment, what tack you are on, your position and where the wind is at.

Well I hope this helps and gives the basic idea of upwind positioning when crossing an opponent. Who says model yacht racing is boring?