How to sail your boat better in light airs
Most sailors want to keep sailing when the wind is light and are reluctant to turn the engine on. However, there is often some minimum acceptable speed required to ensure they reach their destination on time. I have sailed with skippers who use 3.5-4 knots as a criteria on longish passages.
Light air performance is largely down to the design of a yacht and its rig, but will also depend on how it is sailed. Knowing the design characteristics of your boat can help you understand why she sails the way she does, and how to keep her moving under canvas when the breeze starts to fade. You might be surprised at how long you can sail without the engine, and there may be ideas of how you could improve your boat’s performance in light airs.
WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION
Boat speed depends on the relative wind direction. If you are just using white sails then the fastest point is with the wind on the beam. The direction the wind appears to come from when you are on a moving boat is the apparent direction. Someone on a boat anchored close to you will be feeling the true wind
