I am on port, late to the layline, and three starboard boats are queued up on it. Do I tack underneath them, or duck the lot?
Duck. We sailed it both ways with two identical boats. The one that tacks right under the last boat sits in its dirty air, below the layline, cannot make the mark and has to tack away and back again. The one that bears away a touch, ducks the last boat's stern and tacks just above the queue loses a moment in dirty air, then has clean air all the way to the mark and rounds about two boat lengths ahead. Tacking under can work close to the mark in a breeze and flat water, where you are in their dirty air for only a few lengths. This far out, duck, tack a little above the layline, and stay clear of the pile-up at the mark.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U2x_QJLoNms" title="Sailing Kiwi" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/U2x_QJLoNms/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Five Oceans masthead wind indicator — See the wind direction at a glance.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through a link in the list it helps fund the channel and keeps the videos coming for everyone.