This video shows how to make sure you're sailing the least possible amount of distance by always being on the lifted tack, and we show that trading height for speed on the upwind leg is rarely worth it. We compare three boats, one which sails a very tight close-hauled course and tacks only on the headers, to two others, one which sails a much broader close-hauled course, and one which tacks onto the headed tack. Predictably, the boat that sails high and stays on the lifted tack wins the windward leg.


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