Halfway up the beat, two boats are level, about five boat lengths apart. One is on the layline and one is in the middle. The wind shifts twelve degrees. Who is ahead?
The boat in the middle. Leverage is how far apart two boats are across the wind. When the wind shifts, the line that joins two level boats turns with it, so the boat on the side the wind shifts towards is suddenly ahead, without sailing any faster. Twice as far apart means twice the gain, or twice the loss. Here the shift is a header for the boat on the layline: she can no longer make the mark and needs two extra tacks, while the boat in the middle takes the lift and fetches. From level, she reaches the mark about four lengths ahead. Had the wind gone the other way, the boat on the layline would be lifted but would just sail further than she needs to. Use leverage on purpose: stay nearer the middle until you know where the next shift is going, and come in on the layline late.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/hi5PdGXKJzQ/">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.
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