Half wind equals 90 degrees. If on open water (what seems to be your case) you should be looking at an 130 to 145 degree angle. So that's 40 to 55 degrees downwind.

However you can't sail at these extreme angles all the time to reach top speeds. It depends on the wind strenght / sail pressure. Get the board riding loose, feel like flying on the fin. Wait for a gust (sail should feel overpowered!) and start steering downwind, this could feel tricky but just steer further downwind and you'll notice it will get easier. Try to keep some pressure in your sail. If you make a to large angle you'll notice your sail will loose all it's pressure just steer upwind a bit until you get some pressure back.

Looking at the speeds you're doing at the moment you'll def. go over 30kts!

Yeah,

the advice from Tank is tops. Overpowered on beam reaches means powered up on broad reaches. I've only got over 30 knots a couple of times and doing so meant sailing broad when fairly overpowered. I'm not sure what angle and probably it doesn't matter.

Just hook in, aim downwind, and hold on!

Now where is that wind

The easiest way to determine if you are going deep enough is.... when you gybe, you *shouldn't* be able to sail back upwind to where you started from, ie: it should take you *at least* 4-6 tacks... usually *many* more.

And as others have said, you need to be somewhat overpowered on a beam-reach, so that you still have enough power to go deep.

Windxtasy said...

mathew said...

The easiest way to determine if you are going deep enough is.... when you gybe, you *shouldn't* be able to sail back upwind to where you started from, ie: it should take you *at least* 4-6 tacks... usually *many* more.

I'm really pleased to hear that. I thought taking four tacks to get back meant I was just bad at sailing up wind!

Not if you are down at the Estuary, just head on for a few more at the end of your run back at a sailable angle into the wind for a few clicks then head home a considerable amount more