When is dragging a sheet fast?

Dragging a sheet is fast, when someone else is doing it... Last Thursday, I noticed the In-N-Out Boys were dragging a line in the water. It wasn't until after the start that we passed in front of them and I pointed out the dangling equipment. As they tried to correct the situation, we all discovered they had actually sailed over the top of their starboard spin sheet. That would not have been a fun discovery rounding the windward mark...

So, that's slow for them but it gets even better... for us. We were the first to tack to port on a nice left hand shift. The Boys have crossed behind us and hold their course on starboard as they get their spin sheet out from under the bow. Meanwhile, they're crossing in front of just about the entire fleet... either on starboard but wanting desperately to tack or on port with no rights. They were all held hostage for a while as we made our get away... gaining a lead no one could overcome.

I still think it's helpful to point out such things to other boats (maybe not everyone). It's just that it rarely works out as such an advantage. It almost felt unfair.

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