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Name	JimGodders
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2018-09-12 18:50:34

Re: VMC

Board » General Discussion

Thanks very much Bimmer. I had seen that article already, and others on the same blog and this is what is leading to my confusion!

Let's take this article. Outlaw has chosen to VMC to a bearing of 280*. For the given wind conditions, sailing a course over the ground of 307* gets Outlaw furthest down a line drawn from his/her current position on a bearing of 280*, though they will be to starboard of a point on a direct 280* bearing from their current position. Nevertheless, sailing a course of 307* gets them farthest up the 280* bearing.

Now, I understand that 280* was chosen as this is the TWD that Outlaw will tack at. But this is what I can't quite get my head around. A TWD of 280* seems incorrect - that could happen anywhere along the leg, and not necessarily in the best tacking position. Does he mean he'll tack when the bearing to the mark is 280*? I often see mentioned that a tack/gybe should be done when VMC = VMG. Why is this not a consideration here?

I feel like this is a missing piece of the puzzle for me, so I'd love to try and understand it better!
2018-09-11 20:30:24

VMC

Board » General Discussion

Hi all,

I've been reading about a little as I'm looking to improve, and have zeroed in on VMC as an interesting concept. But, for the life of me, I can't seem to get my head round it properly and I have a few questions that I'm sure you fine folks will be able to answer for me.

As I understand it, sailing to VMC maximises the boat's speed over the ground in the defined direction. Considering 2 boats, starting at the same point at the same time with both wanting to get as far north as they can, if 1 is sails to VMC, they will be further north than the other sailing due north, though the boat sailing to VMC will also be off to the left or right.

What I'm struggling to understand is how this is useful in racing. I know there's little point in sailing VMC direct to a mark if the wind ins't expected to shift as you'll lose whatever time you've gained on the leg trying to get back to the mark.

I've seen some suggest that in shifting wind, a reasonable VMC target is to sail to half the shift. I don't understand what this means though. I've tried google but to no avail - this doesn't seem to be a topic that is easily accessable. Could someone please explain what the VMC target would be if trying to get a mark due north, with a wind veering from NW to W over the course of the leg please?
2012-05-29 04:59:22

Weather Routing

Board » General Discussion

Hi all,
I've joined SOL so I can learn to compete in long ocean races manually rather than use an automated weather router. Problem is, I don't have the foggiest ideaon where to start! I've had a look around the internet, but haven't been able to find anything for beginners to this, other than some blogs such as SOL's 76trombones.

I appreciate the concepts of VMG and VMC in getting to a point, but at tbr moment I have no idea on where that point should be based on other things such as the weather. A couple of questions I have are:

- Do you work forwards, i.e. look at where you can be in 6, 12 hours etc, or work backwards and look at where you want to be in 2-3 days and route based on that?
- Is there some sort of rule about straying to far from the GC? I can't imagine its wise to add an extra 100 miles to the route for an extra half knot of wind.

I really want to try and get better at this, so any info you have for a begginer would be much appreciated. Also, if anyone is aware of any other media (books or websites etc), that would also be bery helpful!

Thanks in advance!!

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