Video: Leeward Mark Rounding Technique

Analysis of Ross and Mike's Technique

Many Americans import their prescriptions drugs from Canada; maybe we should do the same with boat handling techniques.  Ross Macdonald and Mike Wolf appear to execute the prototypical leeward mark rounding.  However, a couple details help make it more efficient than most.  First, Ross and Mike maximize the use of their weight and sail trim to maneuver around the mark with a minimal use of the rudder.   Second, Mike’s takedown priorities ensure that by the time they pass the mark the boat is at maximum speed, full trimmed, weight over the side, and prepared to tack. 

I try to end up where Ross and Mike are when they pass the mark but I often fail.  I am usually ten yards beyond the mark before full speed, proper trim, and weight over the side, and ready to tack.  I look up and I ‘m already in the dirt box of boats in front, and I can’t tack because boats behind are sailing higher; welcome to Alcatraz.  Here is why.  First, I try to keep the crew forward and have him move back at the last second and initiate the Chinese fire drill necessary to:  pull on the levers, drop the halyard, trim the jib cunningham, trim the outhaul, drop the pole ant pre-trim the jib sheet, drop the mast back, trim the mainsheet, trim the jib, hike, and trim the leeward backstay.  Too much to do, too little time.  

Start earlier:  It appears that Mike moves back to the cockpit much sooner with the halyard already down.  Mike then sits on the weather side of the boat awaiting Ross’ command to drop the pole.  He uncleats the jib and holds the pole until Ross trims down the jib cunningham and outhaul. 

 Crew trims jib sheets:  When done, it appears Ross lets him know and then Mike pulls the pole down but does not unclip the pole until he trims the leeward jib sheet and cleats it.  I usually trim the weather sheet for my crew and leave the leeward loose for the crew to clean up.  Ross and Mike’s technique is better because:  1) the crew doesn’t have to wait and coordinate with the skipper, 2) the skipper can concentrate of other things like positioning and steering, and, 3) in the end, the weather sheet is not as important as the leeward sheet, therefore the leeward sheet is already trimmed and the crew can turn his attention to moving the mast back.

Less rudder:  Before Mike moves the mast back; he cleans up the weather jib sheet.  He then sits on the leeward side, turns his back to the boom, and drops the mast puller and brings the weather backstay back.  Notice that Ross leaves a boat length to a boat length and a half between the boat and the mark and doesn’t begin steering the boat towards the mark until he is even with the mark.  Mike’s weight to leeward, along with no pressure on the jib allows Ross to trim the main (seven pulls, after he pre-trimmed it a little) and thereby turn the boat sharply to weather with minimal rudder action.  Leaving the jib about a foot from fully trimmed is key.  If the jib is over-trimmed then the boat will not want to round up; instead the jib will drive the bow down and require the skipper to use much more rudder to steer the boat; all very slow.   

Finish flat and fast:  Once the boom touches Mike’s back he turns and grabs the jib sheet, sits up and hikes.  Mike then trims the leeward backstay from the hike position.  Meanwhile, my crew and I have our head down; we are wrestling with spaghetti, allowing boats to sail higher (both in front and behind), and are neither flat nor ready to tack.  Oh yeah, most likely we left our levers off.  We want to be more like the Canadians from now on.

- Tom Londrigan Jr.