Sailboat Racing Tips: Starting

Sailboat Racing tips for starting are important because the best gains, and the worst losses, occur at the starting line. It is important to focus on what is happening in front the boat and insure that you begin with your top speed. Steer clear of other boats, and constantly be aware of wind direction.

Execute Your Plan

A good strategic plan is the next most important thing, and in the absence of any hazards, sticking to the plan is crucial. Timing, foresight and calculation are as important as a good start. These can make up any time lost at the starting line. At approximately 2 minutes before the start of the race, head for the starting area, being sure to keep the wind dead ahead and your boat sitting still, but slightly angled away from the wind. Within approximately 15 seconds before the race is started, begin moving toward the starting line at full speed aiming for the best position at the starting lineup. 

Safety Counts

Be aware of your position and the other boats in the area. You don’t want to start at full speed and ram another boat. Additionally, as you are moving toward the starting line, try to stay out of the line of other boats, and away from being trapped between them. If another boat is converging within your line of sail, come about in a complete circle and forfeit your position, but make up for it by coming to the line at greater speed. Starting late with greater speed and safety, is better than starting off unsafely with speed. 

Consider Wind, Tack and Position

It is important to understand and plan for the direction of the wind and its effect on your boat. Another factor to plan for is in what direction are you going to go in relation to the rest of the boats in the race. Strive for the middle of the line and head as much into the wind as possible without losing speed. 

Glance to the starboard and to port, locate the first race marker, and sail to it at as close hauled as possible. Increase your speed as you approach the marker. Keep in mind that you want to be on the windward side of the race marker so that as you approach it, you can quickly come about, head to the next marker where you will come about beyond it, and again be at a close haul with the wind off the starboard. This is the fastest course.

Additional Tips

When starting, it is advisable to be in clean air. This means not being in another boat’s bad air, or air that is fouled coming off another boat's sails.  Avoid back-winding as much as is safely possible, as this air, deflected off the leeward of a boat upwind will diminish your speed greatly. Stay as much to the windward of other boats as possible. This will increase your speed. Blanketing, when the boat in front of you, or is to windward, will be ineffective because air that is reaching you will be giving you very little  forward motion.