Sailing at Woodbridge

1. Keep it moving.
   Even if you aren't going in the right direction, once you loose steerage way you loose control. Speed = control , without that you are stuffed.
   
   
2. Speed is better than position
   It's better to start fast but late than drift over the line on the gun.
   
   
3. Watch the boat like a hawk.
   Fit telltales and watch how the air is moving at the boat, it will probably be different to where you are. 
   The wind at the boat will probably be changing all the time, keep up with the changes.
   
   
4. Stay out of traffic.
   Not only do the other boats blanket you but you are likely to have a collision if a gust comes through.
   In light conditions it can be difficult to get the boats apart once they touch even if they don't tangle
   
   
5. Avoid penalty turns.
   Penalty turns in these conditions can take forever.
   Keep well away from marks as a sudden gust can push you right onto it
   You can get stuck on the buoy once the wind has died again
   
   
6. Use a tall rig.
   What wind there is more wind higher up and is less turbulent
   
   
7. Over canvas.
   If it doesn't nosedive in gusts you haven't got enough sail on.
   The wind on the pond is usually much less, take your big rig even if it's windy at home.
   
   
8. Heavier boats have an advantage.
   A heavier boat can keep moving though the lulls, retaining control for the next puff .
   
   

9. Make sure the rig is free.
   There isn't much energy in the wind make sure you don't waste it with sails that don't swing freely.

10. Use lots of camber.
    Use plenty of camber in your sails to extract the most energy from the wind