Windward Sailing - Windex, instruments, telltales, windshifts

In the earlier Sail Setting chapters the importance of detecting wind direction and harnessing it's force have been stressed. Most Sailing Yachts have ribbons attached to the side stays for this purpose. Serious racers have a Windex (see picture) attached to the top of the mast and some fast off the beach yachts have conveniently positioned the windex lower down on the bow or forestay bridle to keep the helmspersons arc of vision concentrated forward.

Larger yachts have electronic Instruments to detect and display the wind direction and speed to the helmsperson and for the crew to respond to. The art of successfully helming upwind is keeping the yacht moving forward to its optimum close hauled wind angle by keeping your eyes glued onto your favorite wind direction indicator and sail Telltales to detect any wind or boat angle shifts, then respond by steering the yacht to its best advantage and compensate for these windshifts.

The upwind specialist positions him/herself comfortably in the cockpit with a clear line of vision to the wind indicator and telltales enabling them to concentrate on steering and quickly responding to take best advantage of the changes in wind angle being encountered.

The helmspersons touch can be measured in degree's of sensitivity (see diagram) and relies on getting accustomed to the yachts motion in a seaway and how quick she responds to the helm, which comes with experience.