Was out solo yesterday under a small craft advisory. Took the main straight to the first reef and was having a blast. It looked like I was easily going to be able to get my goal of 50NM of sailing. Then the wind really piped up!
I quickly realized that I needed to depower the rig, but I wasn't going to risk going to a close haul and then going forward to take the second reef with two-three foot seas on the Patuxent River. Years ago, I accidentally put the boat in a heave to while taking a reef. I've seen lots of discussion on this board about using heave to to take a reef, so I thought, why not? It worked! I tacked the boat, leaving the working jib sheet where it was, then brought the boat to around 35 degrees off the wind. Boat speed was around 4.3 kts, but she was stable. I did my thing, then brought the jib across.
Things were better, but I was still overpowered in gusts that exceeded 23 kts, so I cut the day short. Thanks to all for another trick in my sailing tool box!
I quickly realized that I needed to depower the rig, but I wasn't going to risk going to a close haul and then going forward to take the second reef with two-three foot seas on the Patuxent River. Years ago, I accidentally put the boat in a heave to while taking a reef. I've seen lots of discussion on this board about using heave to to take a reef, so I thought, why not? It worked! I tacked the boat, leaving the working jib sheet where it was, then brought the boat to around 35 degrees off the wind. Boat speed was around 4.3 kts, but she was stable. I did my thing, then brought the jib across.
Things were better, but I was still overpowered in gusts that exceeded 23 kts, so I cut the day short. Thanks to all for another trick in my sailing tool box!
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