Sailor Know How: Transom to Target

So you are out on a bright day and tacking out of your home waters. You want to make it out with the least amount of tacks as possible to get to your destination. However there is an obstruction off your stern and blocking your course once you tack . You are not sure how far you have to go until you can tack and make it around that object. This has been a question that I have asked many a sailor and no one could tell me the answer, until yesterday. I was out with a bunch of friends who have sailed a bunch and Pierre knew the answer: Transom to Target. When you can draw a straight line between the angle of your transom to the object, then it is time to tack. We tried it yesterday around the Berkeley Pier and it worked perfectly. Currents could be a variable to work into the formula as well. Give it a try next time you are out and see if it works for you. And maybe I can save you a few tacks in the future. Here was another sailing know how tip from a while back.