Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
"Target Boat Speed" is the maximum speed, upwind and down wind, a particular boat - Capri 25 in this case, should achieve given a specific wind speed and angle of attack. You use the chart as a guide to set your boat up (set sails, steer, etc) to obtain the speed listed for the wind conditions. If the boat isn't going as fast as is listed for a given set of conditions you need to tweek the rig or make a helm adjustment. I believe the charts are established using a combination of scientific calculation and trial and error. The tables are generally used in racing but cruisers use them as well. It would be nice if someone would work up a chart for the C25.
They are just that - Targets. If you look at the very first line of that spreadsheet in the link. If in two kts of breeze, your target Boat speed should be 2.3 Kts. I basically don't buy it, regardless of the wind angle. the numbers after about 3 knots look more realistic. The concept is to give you a number to hit in any condition. Its basically the numeric version of a set of polar diagrams.
If I can get some verification of the data, I might be able to whip up a set of polar diagrams for your fleet.
Ditto on that. When racing, I sail the fastest I can as close as I can get to the rumb line without pinching the speed out of the boat. Once the course and sails are set for max efficiency/speed, I am constantly checking the speedo, tell tails/windex, and the boats around me. In this way I'm sailing the fastest the boat can go given existing conditions.The big questiion is when to tack, a decision I seldom make correctly. Since I am not a serious racer anyway, the outcome doesn't really matter. It's being on the water that counts and continually learning my and my boats capabilities and deficiencies.
You can also use the TBS Chart to determine the downwind sailing angle that nets the best VMG.
If the leeward mark is dead down wind, use the TBS chart (or polars) to determine whether sailing the rhumb line (shortest distance) or a hotter angle (further and faster) will get you to there first.
Just follow the steps outlined below to determine the optimum sailing angle for the current wind conditions:
1. Start by sailing the angle you feel is best considering the wind conditions.
2. Note your boat speed.
3. Note the apparent wind angle from your masthead fly.
4. Find your current apparent wind angle on the TBS chart. Compare the target speed to your boat speed:
a. <b>If your boat speed is higher than the target speed, sail a lower course </b>(shorter and slower).
b. <b>If your boat speed is lower than the target speed, sail a hotter course </b>(longer and faster).
5. After adjusting your course, repeat Steps 1 through 4 until your boat speed matches the target indicated for the angle you're sailing.
Although the above method seems pretty clunky, once you've used it a couple of times, achieving target boat speed will come pretty quickly. Of course it will never work if your boat is not in-tune and trimmed well.
The following diagram combines the hull shape and mast location of the Capri 25 with the target angles and speeds from the chart. Note that estimating the apparent wind within 5 or even 10 degrees is pretty sketchy, especially in a chop. So this whole exercise becomes a little academic. I find that in the prevailing conditions off Long Beach, we almost always sail DDW anyway. "Never get off the Boat." -Chief
Edited by - Pokey uh da LBC on 10/06/2005 20:03:21
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.