Page 6 - Suggested Courses 0318

How to set the start line

IDM—Inner distant mark

ODM—Outer distant mark

ODM
IDM

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Start between marks Transit

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The ideal start line for most conditions is to
O
have it at right angles (90 ) to the wind, as
demonstrated by the blue line in the illustra-
tion. The means that all boats have the choice
of starting on starboard (preferred) or port.

Perfectly Transit
square line

To add a bit of dare to the line, you can set
one that has a slight ‘port bias’ as shown.
This will give one or possibly two boats the
chance of starting at the pin end on port, as
the starboard tackers will be sailing below
their (the port tackers) line.

PORT
biased line

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If the line is set as shown below with a slight
starboard bias, it will be almost impossible to
start on port, with the possibility of all
starboard tackers converging on the pin end at
the start.

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STARBOARD
biased line