[bob_walden]

The key to pointing as I understand it is to reduce the side forces that cause leeway. You reduce the side forces by moving the center of effort forward. Things that do this:

- Closed leeches on both sails--achieved with strong sheeting (possibly twings on jibsheets if no lateral cars)

- In strong wind, increase mast bend--achieved with backstay tensioning

- In low wind, decrease mast bend

- Uppermost main telltales should be just at stall;

It''s also important to figure out if you have excessive leeway or not. Which is a subjective question that depends on your boat, but for most racing boats would be around 5 degrees I''m guessing. If it''s a leeway problem, then you might need to hike harder (get bigger crew!), and you might need to experiment with adding more cunningham and outhaul while easing the sheets a bit.

On the other hand, it''s good not to get obsessed with pointing to the exclusion of watching your overall VMG. After all, a boat in irons is pointing perfectly. :-) Some boats will beat you by sailing lower but faster over the entire course.

bw