Hobie University, NAHCA
Page 55
31 Mar 02
5.
When you see a bunch of boats going around the leeward mark at the same time, you should go all the way
around the outside of them all at high speed.
False. Slow down, move inside and follow the inside boat
around the mark. This way you come out in second place, not in fifth or sixth.
6.
When you see a bunch of boats going around the leeward mark at the same time, you should slow your boat
and wait for a hole to sneak into, then exit the mark close.
True. See answer 5.
7.
It is better to follow one or two boats around the mark, and stay close to the mark and in good air, then to
swing wide and be in bad air for most of the next leg.
True. It is almost impossible to pull out from under a
line of windward boats.
8.
It is important to keep your boards up and outhaul loose for optimum speed until the last possible moment. So
just as you round the mark, get all those things done.
False. Both of these will cost very little speed, so get
them done in time so you can concentrate on a good mark rounding.
9.
Things to think about before the next mark are 1) prepare for the rounding, 2) remember the overlap rule, 3)
watch for the pinwheel effect, 4) slow down to win, and 5) enter wide, exit close.
True.
10.
Just like a wheel, the outside goes faster than the inside, so too is the pinwheel effect -- you can go much faster
on the outside, than on the inside.
False. Faster in this case is the boat making the best progress toward the
next mark and that is not the outside boat. The outside boat may be going through the water faster, but he is
not making it around the course faster.
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Finishes
1.
The favored tack is that tack most perpendicular to the finish line.
2.
The favored end is the end closest to you coming from the leeward mark.
3.
If the starting line is the same as the finish line, then the same end that was favored at the start is the same end
for the finish.
4.
On the way downwind, you can usually check the finish line to find out the favored end and favored tack.
5.
Always finish in the middle of the line.
6.
On an Olympic Gold Medal Course, the finish line is at the end of the weather leg and you have no way of
knowing the favored end. In this case, you tack on the inside lay line, and when abeam of the other end of the
finish line determines the favored end and favored tack.
7.
Your are on port tack and heading for the favored end and you are on the favored tack, but here comes a
starboard boat. You should slow your boat down, wait for him to clear, then accelerate for the line.
Rick’s answers - 1.T, 2.T, 3.F, 4.T, 5.F, 6.T, 7.T
Here is a brief discussion of my answers for the Performance Sailing Quiz on Finishes
1.
The favored tack is that tack most perpendicular to the finish line.
True. If the line is not perpendicular to
the wind, then on one tack you will be closer to parallel to the line and you will travel a long distance to cross
it. On the other tack you will be more perpendicular to the line and cross it quickly.
2.
The favored end is the end closest to you coming from the leeward mark.
True. The favored end for
finishing is the end farthest down wind, which is the end closest to the leeward or C mark.
