25 knots!

[Brian M H23]

Thanks

Yeah- it was definitly worthwhile for the experience. I think of NUMEROUS things I should have done differently - but none of them involve not going out at all. I think the biggest lesson learned is not to be trying to dock on the lee shore during a severe blow. Before deciding to head in, the east shore was the LAST place I wanted to be, and was doing my best to stay far away from it. But, when things got ugly I decided to head there- and I kick myself everytime I think about it now- but that was jsut my reaction at the time. What would a better course of action been? Heres my thought process - just drop the halyard and get motoring It was easy enough to think to myself everything that I wanted to do, and I remember anchoring being on that list, but with the gunnel wet, getting the main down and the engine started was my top priority. Once i was motoring the apparent "right" thing to do was to head towards my slip and get off the water. So, rather than the original go/dont go question posed (and thank you all for your concern at my safety), I'd like to know what you think of my choices. Next time, I might be more unlucky (less lucky?)

 

[Mike]

Choices

Brian glad to hear that you made it back without personal injury. What happened to your boat is the reason I dont go out for a pleasure cruise in those conditions. The work and risk soon take over the pleasure. Besides I've found you'll end up there without looking for it and the experience will come accordingly. You learned a valuable, yet expensive lesson that when under fire we dont always think quickly and clearly. That said it leaves some answers as to what you could have done differently. Whatever you do always remember it 's best to do it when you first think it may be necessary. Waiting almost always leaves you in worsening conditions where the difficult can become impossible. If it does subside then you wont mind shaking out a reef or raising the anchor. Yes you could have dropped sail and motored. If I recall you have a water ballasted boat. I'd would have kept the ballast tanks full for stability. Keep in mind the water depths around you. Shallow water piles up faster than deep. You'll also run aground quicker so try to stay in deeper water if your not looking to anchor. Stay out of the shipping channels though. That's the last place you'd want to be parked. If you do anchor what do you expect the holding ground to be like? Is it in area known for poor holding? Let out extra scope, set references and watch to make sure you dont drag anchor. Watch to be sure you dont chafe your rode through. You could have tried to look for a safe cove or anchorage where you wouldn't have been left with a lee shore. The wind was out of the west so consider your options on the Elk, Bohemia and Sassafras for the next time. You could have hove to and ridden it out for a while. You could have brought her into a different slip or T head and left her there until conditions subsided. Was there a place available where you could have approached bow into the wind? You'd have had more control than taking it on the beam or stern. I've said this before but it is worth repeating; leaving the dock is entirely different than returning. Before you leave do a mental check of what it will take to return safely and without damage or worse yet personal injury. If there's any doubt in your mind then decide if one day of sailing is worth the risk. You've damaged her once do you really want to go for more? I'm sure you'll receive many more options or variations in addition to my comments. Take all our advise with a grain of salt. Walk before you run. Don't allow any one of us to influence you beyond your comfort level. Remember that your the captain and have the final say and liability in what happens on your boat. Go build your skills and enjoy!

 

[Joe11688]

I've been there before

I can understand your concern of being a little leery on taking your boat out on a windy day, but how are you going to get used to it if you don't use it? Just use a reefed Mainsail and try beating up the river. It'll be easier with the wind behind you on the way back. The river that I sail on has a couple of sheltered coves that I can duck into for a couple of hours and hang out on the hook. I think that one of the smartest things I ever did, was to buy an autopilot for my boat. This gadget really frees you up to do a lot of things if you single-hand a lot. There will be times when you're going to encounter 25 knot winds, and you're going to have to deal with it. You always have the option of just taking the sail down and motoring. But what if you spent the night in your favorite cove about 15 miles up the bay, and woke up this morning to strong winds, and you need to go to work tomorrow? If these winds are SW and you're headed back in a Northerly direction, what a fast ride you'll have getting back under a reefed Mainsail! If at some point in time you'll probably have to jibe, and if you're afraid to do it under a strong wind, just "Ware" her into the prefered tack downwind. The term "Ware Ship" goes all the way back to the days of the square riggers. If you were sailing on a Port run or Port broad reach,(the wind is filling the Port side of the sail) and you wanted to get on a Starboard run or reach, you merely head up gradually while taking up your Mainsheet till you get to a close Port tack. Then you'd take her through to a Starboard Tack, and keep falling off the wind while paying out your mainsheet till the boat got on the Starboard run or reach. In essence, what you're doing is steering your boat around a circle. Once you get to really know this boat, and know what you can and can't do with her, then you may want to try taking her through a safe jibe. This may involve taking up on the mainsheet while turning the tiller and letting the mainsail go over in a controlled jibe. With a little practice this can be accomplished with very little effort on a windy day. The more you sail her, the better you'll get. On days with good conditions, try picking up a mooring under sail, or try sailing up to a dock. Another thing to try is, anchoring under sail, and picking up your anchor after you hoist your mainsail, and sail off. These are things that I do all the time and I keep honing my skills by doing them constantly. My First Mate is a Pit Bull Greyhound, so if I screw up, I know she won't be able to help me. I make a practice of always having an alternate plan, just in case my first plan doesn't work. Smooth Sailing!