Ken Legler: Running Angles

10/18/2002

It seems like you can sail straight downwind when winging the jib with good wind in a 420 (or FJ, or Lark). The best angle when winging is almost dead downwind but not quite. For wind under four knots, winging the jib with windward heel will collapse the main. You must jib reach up at about 25 degrees above a run in three knots in order to achieve the best VMG (Velocity Made Good, which is a common big boat term).

For wind from four to six knots, you can wing the jib but at an angle that is about ten degrees above a run. If you try to sail straight downwind the main will blanket half the jib and the main won't work efficiently either.

In higher wind speeds you can sail lower, especially in waves. You can use waves to get closer to your course to the mark or to get into a lane that is clear of wind shadows and traffic.

Here is a good example of using these optimum angles to your advantage. The wind is five knots and shifted right such that the top reach is nearly a run. You are in second with only a two length lead over the pack. You jib reach for a few lengths to find a winging lane then wing at ten degrees above a run and five degrees above the mark. Late in the leg you wish to sail lower to go directly to the mark but the pack is now converging behind you with a big wind shadow. This wind shadow causes the wind to drop to three knots in your area. At eight lengths from the reach mark, you jibe to port, jib reach for five lengths, jibe back for five lengths to the mark then jibe around the mark and jib reach away down the new leg still clear ahead of the pack.

Transition notes: Jib jibes are important to do well but we must overcome the temptation to use them to rock. Some sailors will go from windward heel to extreme leeward heel, then flat to fill the newly jibed jib to accelerate, then put heel back in to keep the sails filled. This is rocking and is illegal. It seems you should be able to flatten hard enough to get up to normal reaching speed but technically even this is illegal. This is unlike roll tacking where you are allowed to roll and flatten once to accelerate up to full speed but not beyond.

For mainsail jibing and winging in light to medium breezes remember, vang on for jibing, vang off for running.