If you're racing, then you naturally want to point. The upwind leg of the race course is very important because you'll be sailing it longer. "Higher and faster" are the magic words, and are also where you want to be in relation to the competition. The 16 is a reaching cat and footing is just letting the boat do what it likes to do. Pointing takes a lot of work. While it sounds like your competition was doing it a little better, don't let that discourage you from trying to improve. Never be shy about soliciting help from others after a race. Most sailors(especially the winners) are pretty generous about helping others. A good compliment followed by a couple of questions to the right crews can be a big help in learning to improve.



Without going into detail already present on this forum, here’s a couple of things that might help .

Most Hobie sails are cut a little on the full side, which inhibit pointing, so never stuff the battens in any deeper than you need to. Most of the time just try to get out the wrinkles.



I won't rehash the details and definitions, but a good amount of mast rake in 15-20 knot winds will help you point by loading up the rudders and making them a little more like centerboards. Expect an increase in helm with extra mast rake. You may need to rake the rudder tips forward to reduce this feeling. A little rudder toe-in is often used with lots of mast rake to offset the added helm.



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