speed or distance..sailing into the wind

[Uricanejack]

I tend to sail "full and by". Both tell tails flying.
I just feels right. When she is in the groove you can feel it.
In light air I might even sail fuller and more by.
I don't have the fancy gauges. Though I do have sailing instruments now. They are a bit off. I do look at them but prefer to watch the tell tails and the wind vane.
I am probably one of the folks who annoys the purists on sail trim. Traveller on the center line, I have my sheet cars set for full sail close hauled and rarely change.
I do tend to set up the vang or kicker.
But mostly just adjust the sheets. "lazy cruiser" usually just myself.
If I have more crew I will tweak more.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I tend to sail "full and by". Both tell tails flying.
I just feels right. When she is in the groove you can feel it.
In light air I might even sail fuller and more by.
I don't have the fancy gauges. Though I do have sailing instruments now. They are a bit off. I do look at them but prefer to watch the tell tails and the wind vane.
I am probably one of the folks who annoys the purists on sail trim. Traveller on the center line, I have my sheet cars set for full sail close hauled and rarely change.
I do tend to set up the vang or kicker.
But mostly just adjust the sheets. "lazy cruiser" usually just myself.
If I have more crew I will tweak more.

I would find it VERY hard to not reach for the traveller if sailing with you (or drop some steadily less subtle hints about adjusting it!)

On a less stroppy note, may I humbly suggest that using the traveller to help adjust the twist in the mainsail will make an appreciable difference to your boat speed. It's very easy to haul the main sheet in tight and lose all drive from the top if the sail. An easily adjusted traveller is a joy, and the results are seen in the shape of the main and your boat speed.

 

[Uricanejack]

I would find it VERY hard to not reach for the traveller if sailing with you (or drop some steadily less subtle hints about adjusting it!)

Using the traveller to help we the twist in the mainsail will make an appreciable difference to your boat speed. It's very easy to haul the main sheet in tight and lose all drive from the top if the sail. An easily adjusted traveller is a joy, and the results are seen in the shape of the main...

If you ever do you would be most welcome to adjust it. I just don't because I can reach it. having just not quite enough hands. and often in relatively narrow channels with frequent tacks.

 

[rotrax]

I seem to remember Tom Cunliffe's book "Cunliffe on Cruising" showing a diagram of a course to windward.
It outlined a pinched more direct course against a cracked off faster course that covered more distance. Both were within a couple of hours ETA.
In Tom's manner it said either would do the job but on one you would probably get a cracking good sail.................................

Simple choice I think.

 

[Blueboatman]

Well if we're talking cracking good sails, full batten mainsails and staysails innit, none of this part furled inmast or genoa nonsense...