In this last case whoever the leeward boat was, was covering you both and there was nothing you could have done until the ROW boat gybed. Obviously he cannot carry way over the laylines.

I would have slowed down, gybed, then I would be covering them both; if they decided to follow.

In the amount of wind that day, you can have slowed down by heading up. Yeah you would have gained boat speed, but seeing how you are sailing off course you are actually falling back. Once I was clear then I would have gybed. Then all of a sudden you are on a good course and covering.

I am sure Murphey can tell us more about this stuff. After all he does sail a super duper fast TheMightyHobie18. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Murphey, dont blow a vein, im only pulling your strings. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> er mean lines all in good fun.