Step 1: Asymmetrical Spinnaker – Basic Anatomy
Flying a spinnaker, or “chute / kite”, can produce an incredible ride! On a Melges 15, the chute adds almost […]
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Boat Handling & Performance
This category focuses on developing good boat handling & performance skills. These skills will help you develop stellar boat speed, solid tacks and gybes, and smooth mark roundings.
Allan Terhune – Boat Handling, Speed & Windward Marks
This is Part 2 of a 2-part series with Allan Terhune, Jr., North Sails – Manager One Design North America Division. He shared ideas
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Seven Depowering Tools – Sail Controls, Rig Tuning, Boat Trim
Our recent post, Learn to Change Gears, focused on three upwind “gears:” footing, pointing, and max VMG. These gears rely
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Learn to Change Gears: Footing, Max VMG, and Pointing
Top sailors know how to “change gears” to adapt to the needs of the boat. In this post, we discuss
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Dinghy Jib Trim, Part 1: Basics
Basic jib trim on a dinghy is not difficult, but beginning racers need to know a few things. In this
Dinghy Jib Trim, Part 1: Basics Read Post »
Hiking: Harder and Smarter
You probably don’t want to imitate the picture above, but you can raise your sailing game if you learn to
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Sail Shape Upwind: Six Things to Look For
As a follow-up to our series on Upwind Mainsail Trim, we wanted to sharpen our skills at analyzing upwind sail
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Holding the Tiller Extension: Don’t Dismiss the Frying Pan Grip
Until recently, we were convinced the holding the tiller extension with a “microphone” grip is always best. Then we talked
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Upwind Boat Speed Checklist
We’ve written several posts about various aspects of upwind boat speed, but many readers like content summarized. In this post
Upwind Boat Speed Checklist Read Post »
Solve Common Pointing Problems: Five Ways to Sail Higher
Can’t point without pinching and losing speed? For this article, we collected everything we could find on how to solve
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Get Your Head out of the Boat and Sail by Feel!
“Get your head out of the boat” and “Sail by Feel” are both great pieces of advice for racing sailors,
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Sailing Upwind by Constant Angle of Heel – John Bertrand
Top sailors tell us that angle of heel is everything. Are you having trouble maintaining constant angle of heel in
Sailing Upwind by Constant Angle of Heel – John Bertrand Read Post »
Do You Have the Right Touch? Thoughts from Bruce Goldsmith
The skipper winning the most races inevitably is going to be the one with the best touch. I call touch
Do You Have the Right Touch? Thoughts from Bruce Goldsmith Read Post »
Practice the Body Mechanics of Tacking to Improve Your Sailing
Many beginning and intermediate racing sailors could improve their sailing by focusing on the body mechanics of tacking. Good body
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Vang Sheeting and Snugging: Video from International Sailing Academy
Many new sailors ask us what “vang sheeting” means. More experienced sailors understand the term, but may not execute it
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Sailing Lulls – What’s the Best Response?
[Lull response]: I fought my instinct to bear off, and instead, allowed the jib tales to stall while the boat
Sailing Lulls – What’s the Best Response? Read Post »
