Have you experienced the frustrations of trying to make a downwind destination in light, variable, and shifty winds? Learn to sail a boat better with these three secret techniques to make downwind sailing easier, faster, and exhilarating!

Morning winds often shift back and forth until later in the morning. This drives sailors crazy as the apparent wind seems to wander like a drunken sailor with the slightest change in true wind direction.

Use the "swooping" technique to build speed in light air. "Tack" downwind to get to your destination faster. Run "wing-and-wing" for more efficient sailing with a Genoa or jib.

Use these three tips from sailing guru John Rousmaniere to beat the pants off the competition or make faster downwind cruising passages.

1. Use the "Swooping" Technique

With the apparent wind dead astern, wind speed will be super light. Increase the flow of wind across the sail with the "swooping" technique.

Use a soft touch on the helm to head up to a beam reach (but no higher!).This increases the apparent wind speed across the sail.

As soon as your speed builds up, fall off in a gentle motion back to your original downwind course.

When the boat slows down again, head up slowly to a beam reach, build up speed, and fall back off to a run. Repeat these steps.

2. "Tack" Downwind

When beating to make a windward destination, you point higher on lifts (a wind shift that allows you to steer closer to your goal), and tack on headers (a wind shift that makes you steer farther away from your goal).

When sailing downwind to a destination, you want to do the opposite. Jibe on a sustained lift and point closer to your destination on a header. Wait to jibe until the wind shifts toward the bow by 5 degrees or more for at least 30 seconds. Sailors call this "tacking downwind".

3. Run "Wing-and-Wing"

The jib or Genoa becomes blocked by the wind shadow created by the mainsail. Without some help, the headsail flaps like a limp flag from side to side. Use a whisker pole to hold the clew of the headsail to windward. Use every bit of available wind to drive the boat toward your destination faster.

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Sailing downwind in light to moderate winds doesn't need to be frustrating. Learn to sail a boat better than ever before with these three techniques to get to your downwind destination faster every time.

Captain John was the director of the Seamanship department at the Chapman School of Seamanship, where he taught on a fleet of over 14 power and sailing vessels. He is a nationally certified sailing instructor and holds Coast Guard licenses for sail and power.

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