Smart Moves Near the Laylines
by David Dellenbaugh

The layline is a critical part of any windward leg because every boat has to get there eventually and, once they do, it’s a tactical dead-end. The closer you come to a layline, the fewer options you have, so you need smart tactics whenever you are approaching (or avoiding) it.

When you’re behind
Going to the layline when there are boats ahead of you is like running into a dead-end alley while you are being chased: there is no escape. So when you’re behind, a basic tactical rule of thumb is to stay away from the laylines.

Of course, you can’t avoid the layline forever. But the farther you are from the mark when you reach the layline, the more risk you take (of other boats tacking on you). So consider tacking short of the layline (see diagram) to keep options open.

As you get closer to the mark, it’s OK to go to the layline, especially when there aren’t so many boats around you. But if you think other boats may tack on you, go a little past the layline before tacking. This will encourage them to tack in front of or to leeward of you (where they won’t hurt you so much), and it will give you room to foot slightly if they do tack on your wind.
 

When you’re ahead
When you are concerned primarily about the boats behind you, the layline is your friend because once you are there it’s very difficult for other boats to pass you. Therefore, another good tactical rule of thumb is to push the boats you are beating toward a layline.

If possible, ‘herd’ the boats behind you toward the layline on the unfavored side of the course (so you will gain strategically as well as tactically) and/or toward whichever layline is closer (so they reach the dead-end as soon as possible). The further you are from the mark, the more effective this tactic becomes.
 

It’s usually not a great idea to get to the layline first because boats that are ahead of you will then be able to tack on your wind. Therefore, before you reach the layline, take a look at the boats to windward. Are they ahead of you? If a boat on your windward hip is far enough advanced to tack in a safe leeward position, then they will give you trouble and you should consider tacking before the layline. But if they can’t lee-bow you, then you can go to the layline and they won’t be a problem. Photo by J.H. Peterson.

The port layline temptation
When you must round the windward mark to port, there is often a traffic jam on the starboard-tack layline but hardly anyone on the port-tack layline. That’s because it can be difficult to tack near the mark without breaking a rule (see rule 18.3). However, many of the boats on starboard tack have to sail in bad air or overstand the mark. That’s why it’s often tempting to approach on port.

When you do this, however, you must be careful tactically. If you come right in to the mark on the port-tack layline you will be asking for trouble, especially if you’re in the middle of a pack.

It’s almost always better to be at least several lengths to leeward of the port-tack layline. You want to be far enough away so that, when you reach the starboard layline and tack for the mark, you have room to complete your tack (i.e. get to a closehauled course on starboard tack) before you enter the two-length zone around the mark. This will make it much easier to avoid breaking any rules (especially 18.3).

Two tacks or sail in bad air?
If you’re on the layline and a boat tacks on your wind, should you tack twice to get clear air, or just continue sailing to the mark in bad air? Your best tactical option depends on at least two factors:

1) How far you are from the mark. Obviously if you are only a few lengths from the mark it would be better to keep going, but if you are half a mile away it’s probably better to make two tacks. The tradeoff point is some place in between where the cost of two tacks is equal to the cost of staying in bad air; and

2) How much you are being hurt by bad air. If it’s windy and you can sail almost as fast in dirty air, then you should probably keep going. But if you’re sailing in light air (where wind shadows can really hurt), then you should definitely consider two tacks (especially if there is any chance the bad air means you won’t fetch the mark).
 

Try a “head-fake” on the layline When you’re trying to judge the layline, it helps to look at other boats that cross ahead of you to see if they are fetching the mark. Other boats also look at your angle when they cross behind you (A). If you are fetching the mark, consider bearing off for a moment to make it look like you are below the layline (B). This way you will encourage the other boat to continue sailing past the layline, and you will round the mark farther ahead of them. This trick may also work when one of your competitors crosses ahead of you (C). If you bear off to make it look like you aren’t making the mark, you may entice them to sail far enough past the layline that they will not give you bad air after they tack.

Tack on the layline or on a boat that is overstanding? A common tactical situation near the layline happens when you converge with another boat that is overstanding the mark. If you are ahead of that boat, should you tack on the layline (A), or continue past the layline so you can tack on the other boat and give them bad air (B)! When you’re in this position on the race course, it often seems like tacking on the other boat is the better option. But more often than not, tacking on the layline is a smarter move. You decision should depend on at least three main variables; how far you are from the mark, how much the other boat has overstood, and the position of other boats. You should consider tacking on the other boat if they are far from the mark, not overstood by too much and/or other boats are not a factor. Tack on the layline when you are closer to the mark, when the other boat has overstood by a lot and/or you are worried about nearby boats.

Dave publishes the newsletter Speed & Smarts. For a subscription call: 800-356-2200 or go to:
www.speedandsmarts.com.

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