The current is pushing me sideways and my mark is dead ahead. Do I point my bow at it, or aim off?
Aim off. We sailed it both ways in a simulator with two identical boats on the same reach, same wind, same current. The boat that points her bow straight at the mark is swept down into a curve and has to turn up, nearly close-hauled, to climb back. The boat that aims up into the current has her bow above the mark, but her track over the water runs dead straight to it. She arrives first, while the other boat is still almost a boat length away and sailed a whole length further. Pointing at the mark is only right with no current: the lighter the wind and the stronger the current, the bigger the curve. A simple check is to line the mark up with something behind it. If the two stay lined up, you are on track.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/7h79TnDJrgI/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
- Elvstrøm Explains the Racing Rules 2025-2028 — Every rule, with plain-English explanations and diagrams.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
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