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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/30/2012 : 07:59:17

http://www.uiowa.edu/~sail/skills/racing_basics/chap1.shtml

Found this manual while searching for lee-bowing an opponent in a race. Its meant for dinghy racing (so ignore the bits on hiking and sailing with your centreboard up), but it give a great, simple explanation of different sailing techniques and controls. While it intended as course material for racers, I think a lot of the explanations are good just to learn to sail better in simple, everyday language.

And it shows why my lee bow worked so well last night.

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5897 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2012 : 09:29:54

I have seen explanations of how to perform the lee bow maneuver, but not very good explanations of why it works. As the article says, you are putting the other boat in your wind shadow, if you are close enough to be able to feed it backwind from your sails, but with cruising boats and racer/cruisers, it's dangerous to hold your course long enough to get that close. But when your opponent is in the lee bow position, he is sailing behind your bow wave, and your bow wave limits his speed just the same way it limits your hull speed. As a general principle, you can't sail faster than your bow wave. A boat that is trapped behind your bow wave, as is the case with a lee-bowed boat, is limited in it's speed to your speed. Unless he is much bigger and speedier than you, he can't pass you. The only way he can get past you is if he can outpoint you, creating a separation between the two boats. Your bow wave diminishes in height as it extends farther from your boat. If he can get far enough to windward of it, it will become so insignificant that it will no longer hold him back. Your bow wave has a far greater effect in restraining your opponent than the effect of backwinding him, which only works when he's very close.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2012 : 15:43:59

If he is a faster boat who lee bows you, pull in immediately behind him with your bow pulpit as close to his transom as you dare - you will be drafting him and you'll both pick up speed!

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.