sailing in light air

["Mark White" <mwhite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was racing yesterday with E scows in 4 knots, going to weather we were very 
close.  Down wind was a different story.  They have symmetrical spinnakers, but 
still reach going down wind.  If I follow their course the boat moves like a 
snail.  If I heat the boat up, I am almost reaching straight across the course 
not making much headway to the leeward mark. Am I doing something wrong or do I 
just need more wind?  Any pointers on different wind speeds?  

Mark