Do you sail by the seat of the pants or by numbers? I like numbers mixed with seat of pants. I was taught as a child to feel the wind and use good instincts when making decisions. Today I encourage sailors to use numbers first and then back a decision with good gut feelings. The numbers I am interested in are:

• All moving settings
  • Jib Leeds
  • Jib halyard
  • Jib Inhaul
  • Jib Sheet
  • Main traveler
  • Backstay
  • Pole lift
  • Out haul
  • Cunningham’s
  • Main halyard
  • Boom vang
• Sailing Targets / Polars
  • Upwind
  • Downwind
  • Reach angles
• Instrumentation
  • Boat speed and heading, GPS
  • True wind and Apparent angles and speed
  • Current speed and direction
  • Racing Software, Hand bearing compass
• Internet
  • Weather
• Tuning guide
• • Settings on all the shrouds for different wind/wave speeds
  • Settings for all the different sails
  • Boat speed and angles up and downwind
  • Sheet tensions
  • Race history
  • Sails
    • Depth and draft position on jib/genoas/main
  • Course
    • Pre-race upwind and downwind headings
    • Pre-race wind speeds and wind directions
    • Pre-race wave and current conditions
    • Start ling, gate, mark settings
    • Course length, heading
  • Boat Handling
    • Tacking 3,2,1 Rolling, 3,2,1
    • Gibing 3,2,1, Rolling 3,2,1
    • Spinnaker hoist in 3,2,1
    • Dousing in 3,2,1

  I have to depend on numbers to help make senesce out of a sport that does not have many absolutes. Prior to the race I need wind and direction predictions from the weather. Then we have to sail and record the wind direction, speed and heading to get a feel for the day. During this time we will also try to determine the best target speed upwind and our target angle off the wind. If possible we try to sail next to another boat to check our rig settings and use the information to adjust prior to the start. Next we get a compass heading for the starting line, gate and a direction for current. Last would be the course heading and direction and number of laps.

  During the pre-start I use numbers to determine the favored end for starting, the preferred course and the time to start. Often based on our goals for starting we will be at the pin end with either 3,2 or 1 minute to the start. After the start we will discuss sailing a slow high target and then when to sail a normal target. The entire time the information team is talking about wind direction relative to our mean. The speed team is using a hand bearing compass to determine our speed.As we approach the top mark the information team will give out a hand bearing number relative to our last tack. If we were sailing 250 last time on starboard and now approaching on port the mark bears 240 he will sail -10. At 250 is 0 and 255 would be -5. We also will talk about the down wind course relative to the wind direction and discuss if we plan to bear away or set and a quick gibe.

  The entire time we will talk wind direction and speed to sail the best angle while setting the sails for speed. All decision on the race course should be based on numbers.

  After rounding the top mark the reason to gibe is because we are lifted or the wind is right of mean or because there is less current left and we are sailing against .7 of a knot of current. Use numbers and then if it feels right based on the move of your competitors make the call.

  During the race record on wet notes all the settings when the boat is sailing fast or slow so you remember. After the race discuss every detail of speed with the crew. Talk about the numbers used in sail settings, the numbers in rig tune and the numbers used to make tactical decisions.

  Numbers will help keep your team more consistent on the course and reduce the number of bad races. Try associating a number to every aspect of your race and then make a chart. You might see a pattern or not, yet make the attempt to learn and you may win more races.

  Wally Cross

  Tws	BS Up	BS Dn	TWA DWN	V1	D1	D2	H/S	Baslbs	Inh	Jb	Ld	Plate G10	Str
  4	5.97	5.12	133	175	90	131	131	19	2	#1	10	0	31
  5	6.67	5.52	135	175	90	131	129	19	3	#1	10	0	31
  6	7.11	6.39	136	175	90	131	127	20	3	#1	10	0	28
  7	7.66	7.21	137	175	90	131	125	22	4	#1	9	0	28
  8	7.80	7.69	138	175	90	131	122	22	4	#1	9	1	26
  9	7.95	8.04	142	175	90	131	120	24	4	#1	9	1	25
  10	8.07	8.34	143	175	90	131	120	24	3	#2	9	1	25
  11	8.10	8.59	145	175	90	131	119	36	3	#2	9	1	23
  12	8.15	8.84	147	175	90	131	118	36	3	#2	9	1	22
  13	8.21	9.12	150	175	90	131	117	36	3	#2	10	2	20
  14	8.24	9.49	152	175	90	131	117	36	3	#2	10	2	19
  15	8.27	9.97	152	175	90	131	116	48	2	#2	10	2	18
  16	8.29	10.3	151	175	90	131	115	48	0	#3	10	2	17
  17	8.30	10.7	149	175	90	131	115	48	0	#3	11	2	16
  18	8.32	11.5	145	175	90	131	115	55	0	#3	11	3	15
  19	8.33	12.1	144	175	90	131	115	55	0	#3	11	3	14
  20	8.35	12.7	142	175	90	131	114	61	0	#3	11	3	13
  22	8.39	14.5	147	175	90	131	113	61	0	#4	8	3	13
  25	8.40	15.5	150	175	90	131	112	61	0	#4	8	3	12