DOWNWIND
Pg #1
Written by Don Guillette

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        The downwind leg gives you the chance to exploit the same wind shifts you utilized going upwind, but with more dramatic results. When sailing downwind, the sails do not produce any lift. In fact, it is their drag that moves the boat forward. Only when the boat heading changes from dead downwind will flow develop to generate lift. This lift combined with the drag causes the boat to accelerate (cause and effect). The helmsman can initiate this cycle of cause and effect by merely heading up slightly. As always, there is a trade off between extra speed generated and extra distance sailed. Above a certain wind speed, the heading that produces the best speed downwind drops off drastically so at that point you should head directly at the mark.

Before rounding the mark you should decide way you want to go and when you will jibe.

You should ask the following questions:
    1) What has the wind been doing (oscillating or persistent shift)?
    2) Has one side of the course been favored and why?.
    3) Is current a factor?
    4) Where is the rest of the fleet and can you stay out of their wind shadow?

        Sailing direct to the mark is usually slow. Therefore you should sail on a broad reach and jibe back and forth. Your course is one that snakes back and forth across the rumb line. It may look inefficient but it achieves the greatest average velocity toward the mark- A fast course is to sail slightly above a downwind course. When the boats starts to slow, head up to keep the apparent wind forward.

Sail trim downwind:
    The mainsail provides the speed so ease the sheet out as far as possible.
    The vang should be fully tight but some twist is desirable,
    so ease the vang slightly and  trim mainsheet so top telltall flows.

Course to be sailed:
    Under 3 knots of wind:
            Sail directly downwind.
    3 to 10 knots of wind:
            Sail 40 degrees above dead down wind.
    10 to 14 knots of wind:
            Sail 145 degrees to 165 degrees above dead down wind.
            Sail off in puffs and up in lulls.
    Over 14 knots of wind:
            Sail direct to the mark.

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