tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522701856181722751.post3244193132848352315..comments2023-09-19T08:57:32.980-04:00Comments on Apparent Wind: "Respect" the line?Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17511782748972147582noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522701856181722751.post-67271217689665319402012-08-17T20:40:34.494-04:002012-08-17T20:40:34.494-04:00I agree with Philip, the problem is mid-beat lines...I agree with Philip, the problem is mid-beat lines. Unfortunately, the downwind finish solution he suggests can be a problem in big fleets with one sail (Optimists, Lasers, etc.) The problem is that it can be very difficult to read the sail numbers of large numbers of finishers who are going dead downwind toward the finish close together, as their sails are parallel to the finish line. That can cause confusion on the finish boat about who beat whom.<br /><br />In a bigger fleet, if you're lucky enough to have another boat able to take finishes, it's worth setting another finish line below the start line. Alternatively, you can set a box or trapezoid course and use the pin end of the start line with a finish boat below it to finish the boats on a reach (they'll be on port tack, so they'll naturally avoid starters on starboard). That way, sails are visible to the finish boat, and it's fun to finish on a screaming reach! :)<br /><br />The best solution of all is not to "close" the line, as you suggest. If you feel you must close it, and that you must also have a mid-beat start and finish line, put them on opposite sides of the signal boat, and only close the finish line after starting. That way, the forbidden zone is smaller, and you don't have a problem with starters returning to the line after a start they think is OCS, but isn't.<br /><br />...And, as you also suggest, no matter how you solve the problem, this is a great illustration of the value of clear SIs. Don't use "respect", or even "closed", say exactly what you mean!katydidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03803493025738377584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522701856181722751.post-63668106909655377112012-08-08T12:07:04.075-04:002012-08-08T12:07:04.075-04:00The problem is basic: mid-leg starts and finishes....The problem is basic: mid-leg starts and finishes. What is the attraction? They create a troublesome short first beat that causes a jamb-up at the first mark rounding. They create the start/finish line obstruction for subequent legs - doubly so if the start is set up on one side of the R/C and the finish is on the other.<br />A leeward mark start with a downwind finish solves the problem. If desired a first-lap leeward mark or gate can be set to windward of the start/finish line.Philiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04961982220269492139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522701856181722751.post-31524797850763421992012-08-03T06:32:39.224-04:002012-08-03T06:32:39.224-04:00Don't worry yarg. I've seen a world champi...Don't worry yarg. I've seen a world champion do the same on a full sized worlds trapezoid course where the "wrong" mark was hundreds of yards away from the "right" one.<br /><br />I like sausages.Tillermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639738519386820997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522701856181722751.post-56036449273130916242012-08-03T06:11:49.365-04:002012-08-03T06:11:49.365-04:00It's better when different sides of the box us...It's better when different sides of the box use different marks. It is also good to get lots of separation between the two sides, but the RC can only do so much to overcome the confusion of feeble minded sailors.yarghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01062966513084638375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522701856181722751.post-22276079017280714652012-08-02T19:00:31.601-04:002012-08-02T19:00:31.601-04:00Box shaped courses are great for separating two fl...Box shaped courses are great for separating two fleets, but sometimes a sailor who is totally familiar with the course and the SIs (may even have been the one that persuaded his club to accept that course) will get confused and sail to the wrong windward mark thereby letting some total outsider who hardly ever sails there win the race.Tillermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639738519386820997noreply@blogger.com