As we do more Windmill racing with the fleet, and looking at more Windmills, it seems like there are many areas where many individuals could focus on improving their boat speed to be competitive with the fleet, and therefore increase the fun. Now, I know not everyone wants to tinker with his or her equipment, and it’s not easy to find the time to make improvements on the boat. But for those who want to improve and move up in the fleet, here are some ideas to consider.

Our list of six tips for improved performance would be:

1. Sailing with the correct rake to ensure proper helm for the conditions. Related to this is sailing with the daggerboard at the right angle, and correlated to the rake. In light to moderate conditions the rake pretty much stays the same. As the breeze builds and you need to depower a little, and the first step is to make the board vertical. After you are at a full hike and you have set the outhaul, cunningham, and flattened the main with a little vang, and you are still overpowered, then you need to start easing the jib halyard. As you ease the jib halyard, it also changes the sheeting angle on the jib and eases the leech. It’s nice when some things work in harmony!

2. Sailing with a tighter rig so that it doesn't de-power too early. Traditionally, the class has always used a pretty loose rig. This is partly due to sheeting the jib outside the shrouds. But in light to moderate conditions, the boat can use the power and a tighter rig maximizes the power available.

3. Quality of the centerboard (shape, fairness, stiffness, fit). This is as important has having a good suit of sails. It’s easy to maintain a decent surface, and beneficial to boatspeed.

4. Using a jib slot window in the main to observe the actual jib slot. This give the skipper or crew an good view of the slot, which is really nice for consistent jib trim and changing gears as the conditions change.

5. Raising the spreaders and moving the chainplates outboard to sheet inside without interference. This is important if you decide to rig tighter, as you might otherwise have the jib leech around the spreader! I think that it also supports the mast better. This is a personal preference, and I think I am in a group of one here!

6. Outside of equipment, it’s just sailing the boat flat and time in the boat!

I'd just like to see the fleet get better, and keep everyone going up the learning curve. Otherwise, it’s not fun and, and the participation will wane. I volunteer to do a rigging talk at any event just ask, and I trust many of the class veterans will also. There are many good but different ways to get around a racecourse. I am also willing to swap boats with others to compare notes. A question and answer session after racing is a great format to have the leaders answer questions and assist other sailors on techniques, tactics, rules, lunches, whatever, at a chalk talk format. Try it, it’s fun and helpful.