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'I gave myself a headache once trying to account for leeway on a trip,
and gave up.'

This is just a rough rule of thumb. Look at the wake your boat is
leaving behind. If the leeway is significant you will see it stream out
not dead astern, but at an angle of, say, 10 degrees. I have heard of
people putting marks on their pushpit indicating 5, 10, etc degrees so
they can factor it in to their calculations. My experience is that the
effect is generally mild  EXCEPT for when you are carrying too much sail
for the conditions and are consequently being excessively heeled. The
keel can no longer work efectively and then you do make lots of leeway.
Another reason for reefing early.

Peter Fogg

   

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