Are you ready for the wind to pick up.

[jssailem]

Reading the ASA website I reviewed this 5 tip quick list. It contained all good ideas.

5 Things to Remember When the Wind Starts Coming Up

After a 2 hours of sailing in perfect conditions, more white caps begin to emerge and the sky seems irritated - it's time to make preparations...

asa.com

Got me wondering what other ideas are helpful to the newer sailors here.
How do you react when that beautiful day sailing experience starts to change?
Do you keep going or do you turn back?

 

[kappykaplan]

Normally, I'd keep going. Put a reef (or two) in. Put on the foulies and PFD. It's all about time on the water.

 

[LeeandRick]

The wind just came up. Check the difference 20 minutes makes in direction and speed.

�

​
METAR text:​	KHII 202055Z AUTO 29019G38KT 10SM CLR 22/M07 A2994 RMK AO2​
Conditions at:​	KHII (LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, US) observed 2055 UTC 20 February 2021​
Temperature:​	22.0°C (72°F)​
Dewpoint:​	-7.0°C (19°F) [RH = 14%]​
Pressure (altimeter):​	29.94 inches Hg (1014.0 mb)​
Winds:​	from the WNW (290 degrees) at 22 MPH (19 knots; 9.8 m/s) gusting to 44 MPH (38 knots; 19.5 m/s)​
Visibility:​	10 or more miles (16+ km)​
Ceiling:​	at least 12,000 feet AGL​
Clouds:​	sky clear below 12,000 feet AGL​
Weather:​	automated observation with no human augmentation; there may or may not be significant weather present at this time​
METAR text:​	KHII 202035Z AUTO 25009G16KT 10SM CLR 23/M08 A2993 RMK AO2​
Conditions at:​	KHII (LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, US) observed 2035 UTC 20 February 2021​
Temperature:​	23.0°C (73°F)​
Dewpoint:​	-8.0°C (18°F) [RH = 12%]​
Pressure (altimeter):​	29.93 inches Hg (1013.6 mb)​
Winds:​	from the WSW (250 degrees) at 10 MPH (9 knots; 4.6 m/s) gusting to 18 MPH (16 knots; 8.2 m/s)​
Visibility:​	10 or more miles (16+ km)​
Ceiling:​	at least 12,000 feet AGL​
Clouds:​	sky clear below 12,000 feet AGL​
Weather:​	automated observation with no human augmentation; there may or may not be significant weather present at this time​
​

 

[jssailem]

I am with you Kappy. Usually, before we leave the dock I do a "secure the cabin" action. But after being on the water for a few hours and if guest are crew, things can get used and not returned to their heavy weather secure spots. So letting the crew take a turn at the helm and doing a walk around check is just part of the prep when I see the clouds change and the wind freshen.

I might not have put the jacklines out on a sunny gentle breeze day. When it freshens they need to be installed or checked for proper tensions and locating the tethers on the Jacklines is high on the priority list. PFD's for all crew and a clothing change also is considered.

 

[jssailem]

Oh @LeeandRick What a difference 20 minutes can be.

 

[kappykaplan]

John, I rarely have crew, so things are generally where they belong when it goes to caca.

 

[jssailem]

For some it is a choice...

 

[JamesG161]

things are generally where they belong when it goes to caca.

Is Caca a sailing partner's name? Dingy name?

Otherwise I will be glad to take that name versus Dammit Jim...

Caca Jim...

 

[capta]

It used to be that I would hear, then see, the white caps headed for us. I've learned that if I'm out on the water and I hear a freight train coming, I no longer wait to see the white caps before we take appropriate action. All sails are set or down, the foulies are on and I've a hot mug of strong coffee in hand when whatever is coming, arrives.
Of course, once in a while Neptune just has to have his fun. This little tiny squall was exceptionally strong.

 

[kappykaplan]

Is Caca a sailing partner's name? Dingy name?

Otherwise I will be glad to take that name versus Dammit Jim...

Caca Jim...

It's a polite way to say you know what!

 

[Stu Jackson]

not returned to their heavy weather secure spots.

Good point, John.
Since I singlehand and am professionally lazy, I long ago got used to finding where everything should go to avoid: 1) moving around and flying across the cabin; and 2) not making ANY noise (like stuff in cabinets or lockers).
I find that reading about folks who haven't put stuff away and post that their cabins have been trashed by simply beating a bit to windward, may have some lessons they need to learn.
I hate noise. To say nothing about cleaning up after my own self for being lazy. So I spent some time figuring out how to avoid that issue.

 

[DaveJ]

Caca, when you put on your brown pants!
I've been there, start engine, reef or drop sails, tighten pfds, talk about your plan.
My crew (family) are still talking about the last episode.
Cheers
dj

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I usually go down below for a leisurely shave, a la "All Is Lost"

 

[Kings Gambit]

One size does not fit all. Of the “tips”, donning the pfd is the generally applicable one. My deck and cockpit are always secure. Stuff is tied or stowed in all conditions, even at the dock or at anchor unless working on a “project.” Below all is stowed when underway, even when daysailing in light airs. We’re constantly tidying up cockpit spaghetti, so nothing special there. Haven’t seen much nasty weather lately while out on the water; we usually avoid. But taking in some headsail, reefing the mainsail as needed, is routine.

Our weather in CA is not so unpredictable as on the east coast. Sudden storms w/o warning are unusual. But when we faced the pop-up T-storms and line squalls in FL, we might douse sails until it passed. Some T-storms can pack 50-kt winds. Micro-bursts can bring down your rig. Some folks would douse sails and anchor, or try to. My “buddy” Macomber gives a riveting account of that facing a serious squall in the FL Keys. A T-storm can send down enough rain to reduce visibility to near zero. So, we’re not talking gradual build up of seas here as with tropical storms or weather fronts, which is what “tips” is seemingly describing.

 

[TomY]

We look far ahead, mostly in the forecast but also on the horizon. Usually, there is fair warning on the horizon or on your phone, today.

There is nothing more pleasant than being snugged down in a sheltered anchorage, to watch a storm pass through.

 

[All U Get]

On our radar we get returns from squalls that I can target them for speed and direction. Then plotting a course for evading is a little easier.

 

[Kings Gambit]

There is nothing more pleasant than being snugged down in a sheltered anchorage, to watch a storm pass through.

Hear hear!!

 

[DayDreamer41]

We made it in for this one, but I have been out 15 or so miles to catch one of these on the nose, drop the sails when it gets close and fire up the iron genny and power directly into it maintaining nose in position. The wind doesn't really bother me, the lightning is a different story though.