Three boat, or more, practice.

This, I think, is one of the most underutilized ways to improve your sailing. Oh it is great to get out and race, indeed, but to be able to sail against others when it does not matter so much the outcome allows you to try different settings and styles. Two boat drills are okay for improving handling, three are good for speed issues. Three boats on the water confirms that you are not sailing into a hole of going slower that two boats could get caught in. I also will go out with one boat only...why? I love to sail.

I was fortunate enough to be one of the three boats sailing in the session John mentions.

Cheers,
Dan