ISSUE 107:  Mark Rounding Rules of Thumb

If you want your mark roundings to be quick and safe, there are certain strategies that work almost every time. For example, you should round each mark close enough that you could reach out and touch it. You should locate the next mark   visually before you round this one. And you should definitely develop a strategic plan for the next leg before you round any mark. These ideas are described in more detail on this page and the next.

      One reason why it’s important to follow rules of thumb like these is that they help you limit risk during mark roundings. As I said before, it’s easy to make big gains or losses near marks. If you stick to certain guidelines, it’s easier to navigate through the chaos at marks. By thinking ahead and having a plan, you will add a sense of purpose to the randomness of many mark roundings. And this will help you be more successful consistently. 

     Before you get to any mark, think ahead about how much risk you’re willing to take. If you’re content with your fleet position or if it’s early in the race or series, you’ll probably want to minimize risk at the mark. If you come into a windward mark on port tack, for example, you should probably duck that starboard tacker and overstand slightly on the starboard layline. But if you’re not happy with how you’re doing and you need to play catch up, then you’d be willing to take more risk. In the same windward mark situation, you might try to leebow that starboard tacker on the layline and hope you can squeeze up around the mark. 

      Here are some more strategies to help minimize risk at marks:

• Watch the boats ahead – Keep a close eye on boats that round the mark before you. They will warn you about trouble (e.g. current) and may give you some ideas about how to get around the mark quickly.

• Perform maneuvers early – One of the most common, and costliest, mark-rounding mistakes is waiting too long to perform boathandling and sailhandling maneuvers. Be conservative by doing these earlier than you think (see page 16).

• Communicate your rights –  Another easy way to lose big at marks is to break a rule. Many rule problems can be avoided with better communication. For example,   if you think you have an inside overlap at the zone, yell to the other boat (before you get there). Either they will agree with you (and you’ll get mark-room) or they’ll disagree (and you can decide if you want to take a big risk by forcing your way between them and the mark).

• Put on the brakes – Often the best way to be conservative at a mark is by slowing down. Going slower may not seem like a smart strategy for winning a race, but it’s usually better than rushing into a crowd and coming to a dead end. Maintain your tactical options by slowing to avoid getting any overlap on the boat(s) ahead. 

• Find a happy balance – Good mark roundings often come down to the ability to find a compromise between a bunch of factors. Focus on the maneuvers that happen in your boat, but make sure you keep your head outside the boat and watch the big picture. Try to be conservative and avoid the risks that come with being greedy, but at the same time stay alert to possible opportunities for making big gains. You must be a tight-rope walker.