| Have you ever tried to sail downwind on an early | | | | Turn in a slow, easy motion to a beam reach-but no |
| summer morning when winds are light and variable? It | | | | higher! This will increase the flow of the apparent wind |
| can be an experience in frustration to try to keep your | | | | across the sail and build your speed. As soon as your |
| sails filled when your speed keeps dropping like a rock. | | | | speed increases, go to the next step. |
| Learn to sail a boat better than ever before when you | | | | 3. Fall Off Back to a Run |
| use the secret of "swooping" downwind. | | | | Make a smooth turn back to your original running |
| When you sail downwind, apparent wind become | | | | course. Once you're back on your downwind course, |
| lighter. In ghosting conditions (0-3 knots), your small | | | | keep an eye on your speed. As soon as the boat |
| cruising sailboat can slow down to the point that it | | | | slows down to a crawl, swoop back up to a reach |
| barely moves through the water. Follow these three | | | | again. Build up your speed and then fall off back to |
| steps to take advantage of every puff of wind and | | | | your downwind course. Repeat these steps as long |
| increase your downwind sailing speed. | | | | as the wind remains light. |
| 1. Use a Light Touch | | | | Learn how to sail a boat downwind in the light winds of |
| Smooth motions make a difference in light wind sailing. | | | | summer with the secrets of swooping. Use these |
| Use gentle, fingertip pressure on the sailboat wheel or | | | | techniques to beat the competition on the race course |
| tiller. You don't want to stall the boat. Make your turns | | | | or get to your next downwind landfall faster than ever |
| in the next two steps in an easy, glide-like motion. | | | | before. |
| 2. Head Up to a Beam Reach | | | | |