APPROACHING THE WEATHER MARK IN CURRENT
by Peter Galloway

Does this sound familiar? It's the first beat and things just aren't working out the way you figured. You were supposed to be in the lead but, as luck would have it, you're in the middle of the fleet with boats all around you. You've just tacked onto the starboard layline, in a foul current, with about 25 to 30 lengths to the mark. Oh-oh, it's going to be tight! You trim the main and jib and try to point a little better but you're barely gaining if at all. Rats! A port tacker just crossed a couple of lengths ahead and tacked right on your bow. You'll never make it now—and he probably won't either. (Are you paying attention you Long Island Sound skippers?) You tack away in disgust only to try again a little farther to windward. This time you'll overstand just to make sure. Meanwhile there's a jam up at the mark as starboard boats with barely any way on try to shoot it, invariably hitting it instead. What a mess!
Let's back up a little. Same scenario except this time you tacked to starboard on the layline in a favorable current. You'll make it easily. Only problem is everbody ahead either tacks on your bow or slightly to leeward—backwinding you. You have to head up further to escape their bad air precisely when you should be easing for speed. Even those slightly behind rack to leeward, and they'll beat you to the mark too.

No—this has never happened to you! Sure, and my father is Santa Claus. Let's analyze this a little more. You've undoubtedly heard of Newton's Law. No? Newton's the wiz that gave us the idea that all moving things will tend to go in a straight line unless otherwise influenced—or words to that effect. Most of us sailors are the living proof— we' ll never tack unless we absolutely have to.
Let's go back to the beginning of each of the above scenarios. You're in roughly the middle of the fleet on port tack about 25 to 30 ]engths from the starboard tack layline and about an equal amount from the port. There are a bunch of boats on your weather quarter—slightly astern, but they're ahead of you. What will they do? As sure as cattle leave prairie oysters they'll keep going to the starboard layline because they'll reason that they're too close to tack at this point— besides, you're only supposed to tack on headers aren't you?
Have you caught on yet? What will happen to them is exactly what happened to you in the first two scenarios. You can count on it—it happens every time. So what should you do? Simple—TACK! Wait until about 15 boatlengths to the starboard layline, just enough to keep your air clear of boats well ahead that are on the layline, then tack. Chances are that no one will tack on you. Go until you're about three boat lengths short of the port layline, then tack again.

Foul Current
Here's where it gets tricky and you'll have to use some judgement. Try to hit the starboard layline between 2 to 3 lengths from the mark. As you approach, watch the boats on starboard. If it's a foul current, they'll be bunched up, pinching and backwinding each other and otherwise going very slow. Don't tack under them! Cross those you can and tack slightly to windward where you're sure you can make the mark. If you can't cross, look for the nearest hole to duck through. There will sure to be oneas starboard boats in backwind will fall increasingly behind those ahead. Tack to windward.

Favorable current
Same approach—this time it's a favorable current. Boats on starboard will have overstood and those closest will be eased out for the mark. Tack below them and head up for the mark. The current will assure that you make it.

The Payoff
What you'll get is big time gains! I can't begin to count the number of times I've gone from the middle of the fleet to round ing in the top few with this move. Just remember—on port you're at risk, so don't force your way in. However, you are allowed to tack to starboard just outside the two boat length circle and be entitled to room on outside overlapped boats as long as you complete your tack without interfering with them. (If you tack inside the two hull length zone and they don't have to sail above closehauled, such as in the favorable current set-up, you are also clear.) Check your rules for clarity.