Guide

Tack and gybe analysis: how to review manoeuvre quality

Good manoeuvre analysis focuses on entry speed, turn shape, exit angle, and acceleration. The goal is to find repeatable losses, not judge one isolated tack.

Takeaway 1

Compare manoeuvres as a group so one wave, gust, or tactical decision does not dominate the review.

Takeaway 2

Look at speed before, during, and after the turn to understand the real cost.

Takeaway 3

Use repeated sessions to confirm whether a change in technique is actually improving outcomes.

Break the manoeuvre into phases

A tack or gybe is easier to review when it is split into entry, turn, exit, and recovery. Entry shows whether the boat had enough speed and control before the helm moved. The turn shows whether the change of direction was smooth or stalled. Exit and recovery show how quickly the boat returned to its target mode.

This structure keeps the debrief specific. Instead of saying a tack was slow, you can identify whether the loss came from turning too sharply, oversteering on exit, or taking too long to accelerate.

Compare patterns, not anecdotes

One bad manoeuvre may have a tactical reason. A repeated pattern across the session is more useful. If several tacks show the same speed drop or recovery delay, that is likely a training opportunity.

TillerWise is designed to put manoeuvres in context with the surrounding track, VMG, and weather so sailors can decide whether a loss was technique, conditions, or a one-off event.

  • Group similar tacks or gybes before comparing outcomes.
  • Check whether exit speed recovers quickly or stays suppressed.
  • Review the map shape to spot over-rotation or inconsistent angles.

Use the data for the next drill

The best output from manoeuvre analysis is a focused drill for the next session. If entry speed is the issue, practice setup and timing. If the turn shape is inconsistent, simplify the helm and trim sequence. If exit recovery is weak, focus on target angle and acceleration after the turn.

Tracking the same pattern over time makes improvement visible. A single session can point to a hypothesis; repeated sessions confirm whether the change worked.