The one thing that volunteer race officers and many sailors overlook is the helpfulness of using a wind log sheet. Not sure what one is? We have one for free download in our Race Committee Supplies section of our web site. Download any of our forms here.

What is a wind log sheet?
The wind log sheet provides for a way to organize the wind direction data over time to see patterns that may affect the race. Our wind log sheet is perfect for PROs and volunteers that are on a stable boat with space to keep records but what if you are on a smaller sailboat in the race. Try drawing a grid on the bulkhead or in any easy place you can write with a pencil. Pencil is great on gelcoat it will wipe off with a little water and elbow grease.
How does it work?
The left most column is for the time. I suggest reading the wind every five minutes as soon as you reach the race course. For each five minute interval write the wind speed in the next column and then use the next 8 columns for the wind direction. For the first wind direction entry put the compass direction into one of the middle columns, this is for visual reasons. At the next five minute interval write the data in the next row down but when entering the wind direction make sure that if it has changed to change the box you write the bearing. For example if the wind direction moved 5 degrees to the right use the box that is one right of the box you used to write it last time(but obviously in the row below the first entry). If you have a persistent wind shift you will see a diagonal line on the page. If you have an oscillating wind shift you will see a zig zag line down the page. And if you have consistent breeze you will see a straight line down the page.

What are the benefits?
For a PRO (principle race officer) this data and how it is organized can help him or her quickly recognize what the wind is doing and provide the guidance for setting the course, line and time of start.
For a racer this data will help him or her make quick and informed decision on what end of the line to start, which side of the course to sail towards, when to tack or jibe and many more decisions that make for a much longer blog entry.

Why don’t many of us use this technique?
Simple, we are lazy and undisciplined. We think we can check the wind every once in a while and understand what it is doing and keep track of it in our head. However, it is my experience whether racing or running the race, the many distractions that we encounter on the race course create a situation where we forget or don’t actually know exactly what is happening with the wind. We then make a decision on what we think is happening and not based on what is ACTUALLY happening. As a PRO or a skipper you have many decisions to make, what type of beer to bring, when the crew can eat lunch, should you use the green marks or the orange, etc.., etc…Therefore delegate! Ask one of your crew or volunteers to keep the wind records. This person’s task is to take the wind readings on the exact time you two agree. If this means asking you to stop the boat and interrupt your plan for a minute or so then so be it.
Do you use this technique/tool? Have a better idea for the same application. Let us know about it.