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 we present an upwind boat speed checklist, collected from previous SailZing.com content.

These skills require practice to execute them more precisely and consistently. If you recognize areas for improvement, go back and read the source materials listed in the related content section.

Fundamentals

Speed first, then pointing
Constant, correct angle of heel
Sails powered up and max hiking
Balanced boat to minimize drag
Quick reactions to maintain these as wind changes

Sail Trim

Keep top batten parallel to boom (leech ribbons partially stalling) when up to speed
Use controls to power up and depower
- Mainsheet: trim in to power up, trim harder to flatten sails and point, ease to temporarily depower, trim even harder to depower in conjunction with other controls, ease if consistently overpowered
- Vang to depower bottom half of sail
- Tight vang and loose main to depower top of sail (twist)
- Outhaul to depower lower third of sail and open lower leech
- Cunningham to depower upper leech and move draft forward
Shape the sail to fit the mast – hint of overbend wrinkles in medium or heavy air

Steering

Steer using helm feel, luff of sail, luff tales, shroud tales
- Slight weather helm
- Luff of sail is firm
- Luff telltales: windward tales streaming or lifting part time; leeward tales streaming
- Shroud tales streaming toward aft portion of sail; good indicator of changes
Minimal, smooth steering
- Lock rudder on lap or deck
- Move body weight to assist steering

Boat Tune

Seek constant angle of heel first, then optimize sail trim and steering
Zero or minimal weather helm; raise board and/or lower traveler to balance
Smooth movements in boat
Wake flat, minimize bubbles with fore-aft weight placement

Puff and Lull Response

Adjust sail controls just ahead of puff/lull
Respond with weight, sheets, and steering as the puff/lull hits, not after
Puff response based on wind regions
- Underpowered: hike and trim as the puff hits, then head up if able
- Transition region: hike, ease if needed, head up after re-trimming
- Overpowered: hike more, feather up and ease, re-trim when able
Lulls: get weight in, power up sail, don’t bear off more than a few degrees, let boat coast
- Bear off more in waves to keep boat from slowing