1. Which end is favored with respect to wind? (go to pin end)
2. Which side of the course is favored?
3. Rationale for shore sight (go to boat end)
4. How much time is there on the line?

1. Two basic strategies
• Vanderbilt start
• “Dinghy start”
2. Situation is inevitably complicated by other boats – so Rules (applicable to starting).
1. 4 basic “Vanderbilt” rules
Rule 10: Port vs. Starboard
Rule 11: Overlapped: windward vs. leeward
Rule 12: Not overlapped: yacht clear astern keep clear
Rule 13: Tacking yacht shall keep clear
2. No “room” at the starting mark:
   Rule 18.1(a) – No room “at a starting mark or its anchor line surrounded by navigable water”.
3. Important limitations on right of way
Rule 14: Avoid contact
Rule 15: Must give room to keep clear after acquire right of way
Rule 16: Must give other boat room to keep clear when changing course (no rapid luffing).
Rule 17: Proper course – no proper course before starting signal (Definitions and Appeal #43).

1. Is your air clear – point vs. foot?
2. Are you going the right way?

1. Point vs. foot trade off:
a. Point for puffs, fall off for lulls (exception: binary wind)
b. Fall off for waves
c. Jib trimmer call tell tales
2. Tack on major shift
3. Don’t tack too often

1. Rules

Rule 10: if on opposite tacks
Rule 11: if overlapped on same tack
Rule 18.2: leeward boat can also claim room
Rule 18.3: One boat tacks close ahead of a second boat within 2 boat lengths of windward mark:
- second boat should not be forced beyond close hauled
- if overtaking boat establishes overlap, first boat must provide room without consideration of Rule 15 (lag time).

2. Tactics
a. Don’t sail to port tack lay line
b. However, may not want to go to end of starboard tack procession.

Rule 11: Windward vs. leeward
Rule 12: Overtaking yacht keep clear
Rule 15: Give initial room to keep clear
Rule 16: No sudden luff
Rule 17: Proper course
- Rule 17.1: If establish overlap to leeward, can’t sail above proper course until break overlap.
- Rule 17.2: If boat is trying to pass to leeward, boat ahead can’t sail below proper course (does not apply on beat).

1. Rules
Rule 18.2(a): If overlapped at 2 boat lengths, outside boat gives inside boat room.
Rule 18.2(b): If no overlap at 2 boat lengths, boat astern keeps clear
Rule 18.2 (c): Onus
Rule 18.4: Inside boat must gybe at first reasonable opportunity
2. Tactics:
a. Try to get inside overlap if behind, break if ahead.
b. If jam up, often wise to steer wide of whole mess
c. Be vocal

1. Spinnaker set: may delay if air not clear
2. High course (faster but longer), straight course (shorter but slower).
a. Concentric circle concept
b. Bear off in puffs, head up in lulls
c. Light air: spinnaker sheet tension
3. Passing lane may be important

1. Cover if ahead, split if behind
2. Usually have enough separation to concentrate on boat speed

1. Boat speed: most difficult
a. Bear off in puffs, head up in lulls.
b. Tell tales not all that much help.
2. Wind shifts – important but hard to pick up
3. Usually at least one gybe but hard to tell optimal time

1. Try for inside overlap if possible.
2. Begin turn wide of mark if nobody around or if coming in behind jam-up at mark.
3. If outside overlapped boat, slow down and round astern of inside boat.

1. Establish objectives: cover boat behind vs. split with boat ahead.
2. Determine favored end of finish line (finish mark not necessarily to port)

1. May be advisable to finish on starboard if many other boats around
2. Be sure to clear the line after finishing.