TO TACK OR NOT TO TACK…

Q:

Assuming that I need to sail around 40 nautical miles into the wind with no current, no wind shifts, no swells, waves perpendicular to the bow—in other words everything is perfectly balanced—what would be the optimum number of tacks to reach my destination? Geometrically, the distance would be the same assuming all tacks are at 90 degrees and cover the same distance. However, from the practical perspective I am still puzzled whether two long tacks make more sense than three or five shorter ones. (The actual time lost while tacking is of no concern.) Any expert advice would be appreciated, as this drives me nuts.

Z Staneck, via sailmail@sailmagazine.com

BRIAN HANCOCK REPLIES

Given the parameters that you have laid out (which, to be clear, are pretty unrealistic given the nature of the wind and the sea) it would not make any difference whatsoever if you do numerous tacks or just two long tacks, since you have removed all the variables, including the time it takes to tack the boat. That said, there is one variable that you have left out, and that is any potential obstructions, such as other boats and shallow water. For example, say there is a regatta going on halfway to your destination and it’s in the middle of your course. If that was the case, it would make sense to do two long tacks to avoid having to deal with the other boats that could be in your way. If on the other hand, there was shoal water around the edges, you might want to do a number of short tacks up the middle. s