Time your start. You know how it is when the 10 min gun goes. You are allways tacking, gybeing or busy doing something in the boat that stops you from starting your watch. You end up starting it a few seconds later and being shy of the line at the start.
Well before you go on the water set the watch for the required countdown and start it. Count 3 seconds, one thousand and one one thousand and two etc, then stop it, and when the first gun goes start counting again, you have 3 seconds to get to your watch and at the end of the 3 second count start the watch which is already 3 seconds advanced. Hey presta you are exactly in time with therace officer.
Championships and Sea Sailing. For those who sail at inland clubs the National Championship may be their only sea event of the year, or maybe a couple of open meetings on the sea, but whichever the strains and stresses on your boat will be far greater at sea than on an inland venue.
So prior to any event make doubly sure the boat is sound. This is good practice anyway but if it is your only sea based event you may need to reinforce some areas of your boat. Pay particular attention to how secure your fittings are, always use bolts not screws, check the rudder, both the stock and mountings are vulnerable. Ensure the mast step in solid and the mast fits tight into it. Check all mast fittings and renew any suspect rivets. Finally a good tip is to use 'loctite' onn all bolts as this will stop them working loose.
These are all things good sailors will check regularly, but please pay particular attention at sea, I know because I once lost a safe second place when my rudder came apart on a reach.
Altering the setup. We all do it, we think there must be a better way to organise the boat. We change the control lines, move the position of the cleats, move the toestraps and generally fiddle with the settings of the boat. Well yes we must experiment, but how often do you say to yourself you will get used to it, and its only a matter of time before you find the new system second nature. Well I believe as a general rule if it doesn't feel right first time ditch the idea as all you are doing is adjusting for the sake of it, if its better it will be better first time.
Start at the top. Somehow these days crewing does not seem fashionable, and is often looked down on, with all the accolades going to helms. However a quick glance at the results in top class fleets will often show helms now at the front who started crewing for the fleet leaders a few years ago. They learnt faster than most and got used to being at the head of the fleet. The result being that when they moved to the back of the boat they were not only confortable in the lead but expected to be there. Crewing for top helms is a great way to learn the sport and will improve all your skills faster than following them round the racecourse.
Boat Handling. Want to improve your boathandling. Then pick a day with a moderate breeze and find a quiet piece of water, probably inland at first. Sail out into the middle, take the rudder off, and sail the boat by sail trim and heel anly. You will be surprised by how much the boat alters course using just these, and with time will be able to sail quite competently without a rudder. This will help a lot in tight situations around the racecourse and you will realise what the forces on the boat are when sailing. Good luck, as you ,will probably look a little daft at first, and be careful not to capsize and loose the rudder, it may not float!
Look and Talk. You must have heard it before, but it is true, go and look at the top boats. Start by copying their setup, after all it must be fast.
Then talk to the top sailors, most are more than happy to chat, and it will probably only cost you a pint. Ask them why they have the boat the way it is? And how they handle the boat in different conditions? You may be surprised : and find that much is a compromise and not an out setting or method! But don't take my word for it, ask.
Many thanks to Roger Battersby from UK Dinghy Racing
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