Quote:
Originally Posted by Barquito
OK, here is a basic question. Why is it that when you are close hauled and are hit with a puff you feather up, whereas, if you are on a reach you head down to reduce heel? Is it just because falling off all the time beating to weather will reduce VMG?
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Another -- crude -- way to look at it is that as the wind becomes more parallel to the fore and aft centerline of the boat, it exerts less side-to-side heeling force. This is true whether going upwind or downwind.
So on an upwind leg if you feather up during a puff, you bring the wind direction closer to parallel with the boat's centerline.
Sailing off the wind, by driving down in a puff you achieve the same result, only the wind is coming from further astern rather than further forward.