When daggerboard is up partway, where should the skipper and crew be to maintain windward heel and reduce friction?

• A. Skipper on windward rail and crew adjusting to maintain consistent windward heel
• B. Skipper on leeward rail while crew watches the sail
• C. Skipper aft of mainsheet with crew shoulder to shoulder
• D. Skipper in the stern with crew on deck

Answer: (A)

Balancing the boat with weight placement is how you control heel and keep the boat fast when the daggerboard isn’t fully down. With part of the daggerboard up, you lose some lateral resistance, so using crew weight to create windward heel helps the boat stay in a stable, efficient trim. Having the skipper on the windward rail and the crew shifting to maintain a consistent windward heel uses gravity to counteract the reduced daggerboard bite, reducing hull drag and helping the boat track better. The crew can fine‑tune by moving along the windward rail as wind and conditions change. Placing weight on the leeward side or keeping everyone on deck won’t provide the same active balance, leading to more drag and less control.