The Tactics of Small Boat Racing

by Walker, Stuart H., M.D.; Little, Carol H.

• ISBN13: 9780393308013
• ISBN10: 0393308014
• Edition: 00
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1991-12-17
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Summary

The author of "A Manual of Sail Trim" has designed a guide for the competitive racing dinghy sailor that explains the art of maneuvering. The object of the text is to provide instructions on keeping a dinghy in relation to its competitors so that it finishes the race in the lead.

Table of Contents

Foreword
I. General Principles---The Nature of Small-Boat Racing
The Essentials	3	(4)
Handling the Boat	7	(5)
The Psychology of Winning	12	(3)
The Psychology of Losing	15	(4)
Fight or Flee	19	(4)
Deliberate Defeat	23	(4)
``Oh Captain, My Captain''	27	(4)
The Perfect Race	31	(5)
Slow Up and Win	36	(4)
Look over Your Shoulder	40	(4)
Steering Technique	44	(4)
Know Your Race Committee	48	(4)
Slow Boat? Fast Boat?	52	(5)
Don't Be Greedy, or, How to Lose a Race	57	(4)
Disqualification	61	(5)
Hailing	66	(7)
II. Starting---The Maneuvering for Tactical Position
The Principles of Starting	73	(3)
The Strategy of the Start	76	(4)
Clear Air and Full Speed	80	(4)
Breakaway	84	(4)
Over or Under?	88	(4)
Starting at the Leeward End	92	(4)
The Light and Fluky	96	(4)
When It's Blowing	100	(4)
Starting with the Current	104	(4)
Starting against the Current	108	(5)
In Small Fleets	113	(4)
Starting on Port	117	(5)
Match Starts	122	(7)
III. Beating---The Accomplishment of Strategic Advantage
The Principles of Beating	129	(3)
The New Wind	132	(5)
Starting the Second Beat	137	(4)
Fifty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong	141	(4)
Avoid the Middle!	145	(4)
The Post-Mortem	149	(4)
The Dangerous Lay Line	153	(4)
Classification of Wind Shifts	157	(4)
When the Wind Shifts the Wrong Way	161	(4)
Planning for Shifts	165	(3)
Wind-Shift Considerations	168	(4)
Racing with a Compass	172	(4)
When Not to Use the Compass	176	(4)
Against the Tide	180	(5)
Along the Shore in Unfavorable Current	185	(6)
To Windward with the Current	191	(5)
Racing along the Shore	196	(4)
Racing in the River	200	(4)
Upwind and Upwave	204	(5)
Tactics to Weather When Behind	209	(4)
Luffing on the Windward Leg	213	(3)
Rounding the Weather Mark	216	(5)
Tactical Control	221	(6)
IV. Reaching-The Acquisition of Maximum Speed
The Principles of Reaching	227	(3)
Initiating the Reach	230	(4)
The Leeward Reaching Course	234	(4)
Up the Reach	238	(4)
The One-Leg Beat	242	(4)
Wave Riding	246	(5)
Shorelines	251	(4)
Two Boat Lengths	255	(4)
The Inside Overlap	259	(6)
V. Running-The Search for Clear Air
The Principles of Running	265	(3)
Initiating the Run	268	(4)
Capsize!	272	(5)
Jibing	277	(4)
Spinnaker Tactics	281	(4)
Traps on the Run	285	(4)
Tacking to Leeward	289	(4)
The Long Last Inch	293	(4)
End of the Run	297	(4)
Tactical Control Downwind	301	(6)
VI. Finishing-The Resolution of the Contest
One Last Beat	307	(4)
The Reaching Finish	311	(4)
Finishing under Spinnaker	315	(6)
VII. Synthesis-The Organization of a Plan for Victory Synthesis	321	(6)
N.A.Y.R.U. Definitions	327	(2)
Glossary	329