First that we must determine it is the type of wind, his intensity and as it is anticipated that it varies throughout regata. It can be constant or to tilt rolando 90º to, or being more of oscillating type if it is changing of the order of 10º or 20º a side to another one, or even a combination of both (so that it has tendency to tilt but it does of an oscillating way).

Following its intensity we will be able to identify changes and gusts of wind, or holes in which we will not have anything of wind. The orography of the land in the coast will have a very important influence in as it is the wind and for that reason we must study it with attention. The land breezes tend to be more oscillating than sea breeze and as we advance and changes the profile of the coast, we must remember very this characteristic. Although oscillating winds also them we can find by other reasons, as the cloud presence or the opening of zones of different atmospheric pressure.

The changes in the conditions of the wind allow to go ahead to the others and to take advantage of the new conditions to gain positions or to gain distance on the others. At the difficult moments it is when the positions are decided. Watching the surface of the sea we will be able to see if some gust of wind takes place that we pruned to be useful. With a little experience they are identified perfectly as the change of brightness, texture or color in the water. But it is necessary to consider that all this can be due to a current and therefore we must be kind and to observe with attention everything what it surrounds to us.

The field of regatas can be divided in two halves that we will identify like left half and right half being faced the wind, that is to say when we go towards the windward buoy. Therefore when we went towards the leeward buoy the right side of the field of regatas is exactly on the contrary, that is to say to our left.

What are the Laylines?

From the leeward buoy we will have to make two bordos to arrive at the one of windward. If we are fitting those to the maximum they will be exactly ours laylines. If we go by outside them we will be able to lower to reach the buoy. On the contrary if we go within the quadrilateral determined by laylines, then we will have to make a turn additional to be able to arrive correctly at the buoy.

So that his it is to go exactly on the Laylines not to make distance of more or what he is worse, not to have to do turned of more. And the complica thing if we sailed in zones of currents. Most of people sail considering by rough estimate what is layline, although also they help with a compass of markings taking reference with respect to earth (the tactical one).

In cruises always the GPS is used to calculate the deviations due to currents and also we will be able to sharpen the course to do the two embroidered of such form very well that we cross the minimum range. In small sailboats where the GPS does not fit, everything it will be considered and we will have FIAR to us of our intuition and good sense.

In cruises with important crews will be the navigator the one that is in charge of all this calculation, that with current forts and complicated changes to consider, usually decides like winner to the boat with the best navigator.

The orography of the coast affects of drastic form winds. It is necessary to study it.

To look for the wind

In changing light winds it is important to know how to anticipate themselves and to be able to take advantage of all the power that us can offer the slightest breeze. But even when the wind is stable, strong, and maintains its direction, we could be able to scratch differences with respect to the other boats if we are kind. The maintained winds even have small changes in direction and intensity that we must be useful in our benefit. 

Another important responsibility of the tactical one, that if it is truly good will know to anticipate to the changes of intensity and direction that we will find just next. One is to kindly observe everything our surroundings; The surface of the water, cloud columns in earth, birds,… all bond, all speech. The tension of escotas in small boats will indicate variations impossible to detect to us this way in a boat of several tons with escotas in winches, but in return we will have the digital instrumentation of the wind equipment.

It is important to calibrate the wind equipment so that they offer precise data to us.

As they paint the candles, the movement of clouds, changes of color in the surface of the water, whatever is listing the boat, other boats, or simply the sensation that produces the wind to us on the face and in our ears. Good a tactical one must own good knowledge of meteorology and mainly to understand local winds and the influence that the orographic accidents will have on these.

Competing in a Match-RACE with another boat it is very important to know how to anticipate the wind changes to be able to be placed alongside correct and to cover the wind on the contrary. In regatas with many boats the fleet is a perfect indicator of the ruling conditions of wind to ours around, of which we will be able to deduce if the wind changes of intensity or rola.