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Sailing is one of the most exciting activities that you can pick up. It can be your new hobby that you can do leisurely, but it can also be a new sporting activity where you can compete against other sailing enthusiasts. When you are new to sailing, it is pretty common to make these classic sailing mistakes. Get to know them so you can avoid these mistakes and ensure a victory.
Not Checking for Equipment Issues
One of the most detrimental mistakes you can make when you compete is failing to check if all your equipment is working optimally. While this may not be an issue if you have a brand new sailboat, it can be problematic if you have a pre-owned boat. Make sure to check all your equipment. Replace broken parts. Invest in premium materials, especially when it comes to your sails. Some stores like www.fareastsails.com can create sails tailor-fit for your vessel, so you don’t have to worry about it during your race.
Joining a Race While Tired
Most boat races are scheduled, so if you are planning to join one, make sure that you get plenty of rest at least two days before. Sailing is physically intensive, and racing when you are tired can mean losing because you feel out of control. Investing in your fitness and nutrition can help spell success.
Failing to Strategize
Aside from skills, having a good strategy will help you win some points when it comes to sailing. There have been cases when participants have enjoyed a good start only to fail later on because they do not have strong knowledge about wind direction, pressure variations, and breeze types. Having a pre-race routine is also critical. Make sure to have one. You can check out some pre-race methods here.
Being Called for Over Early
This mistake is pretty standard when the race has tons of boats. Being called for over early is a disaster. To avoid this, you should have a radio so you can hear the announcement. Having line sight will also help you identify where you are. If you don’t have one, it will help if you do not set up near the line. It is also crucial to have an early reaction should you be called for an over early. As such, you should have a restart plan in hand.
Heading Out of Phase
When you are out of phase with the wind, it’s easy for you to lose your boat. Make sure that you are familiar with the different signs that you are out of phase. This includes:
- Opposite tack boats are closer to the mark
- Opposite tack boats are trying to wave you across
- You are losing shore reference on your lifted tack
Losing Track of Marking and Ley Lines
This mistake is very critical. When you lose your marking and ley lines, it is as if you are already declaring a loss. Remember that when you are sailing way beyond the ley line, you are essentially sailing an extra distance beyond the market. Getting to the ley line way too early and the direction of the wind changes means that your boat will go an extra length, and you would need an additional tack. Pay close to attention to your mark and Ley lines, especially going into the latter half of the course.
When you are sailing, you have to make sure you have all the information you need. Immediately joining a race without conditioning your boat, your body, and your mind can ultimately cost you a win. If you want to make a career out of sailing, attending a sailing school can help.