crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower main

Chris Patterson · Jul 12, 2014

Just a question....do you have reef points in your main? There's probably going to be some advice forthcoming about jiffy reefing, etc.

Chris Patterson · Jul 12, 2014

Well really, that's about it. I have stood on deck countless times dragging down a main in the stink. Running the main halyard to the cockpit takes some of the drama out of it, but personally I have never cared for that arrangement. So yep, put her in irons, and start clawing. Someone else I hope has something different to tell, but that's me.

The big secret is, is to reef early. Keep your eyes on the sky, and before it gets there, reef. The time to reef is the first time you think of it. I think 101 teaches to get rid of the rags, but for seasoned sailors, that really is not your best option. Put two reefs in the main, and because of your particular boat, you need a little jib out as well.

Nom De Guerre · Jul 12, 2014

Fire up the iron genny and power into irons, then hold course and drop the mainsail.

Chris Patterson · Jul 12, 2014

Yeah, I understand the scary part. If it makes you feel any better, I've had sailing boats for forty years, and still get the crap scarred out of me still. It wasn't a month ago I spent most of the day trying to keep one off of the bricks, and at the end of the day was wore to a frazzle. But it's good experience though.

Norm is correct though. Get some power going first. Keep yourself out of a broach.

Davidasailor26 · Jul 12, 2014

You should be able to drop the main without being in irons, especially if close hauled or on a close reach. Just release the halyard. If the boat is healing too much or there's still too much friction to drop the sail then just dump the mainsheet to luff the sail and you should be able to pull it down standing at the mast. Then just tighten the mainsheet so the boom isn't flopping around as you tie down the sail.

sailaway78 · Jul 12, 2014

A cool breeze

When you feel the first of a cool breeze kick up, start looking. In the summer that is usually the outflow of a thunderstorm. That is the time to act, not after it actually hits you.

victorhoisington · Jul 12, 2014

Re: A cool breeze

Welcome to sailing in colorado, as you have found there often isn't any warning and what looks like a small cloud suddenly dumps a downburst. Colorado sailing is different than most anywhere, I've been hit by 50 mph winds when there wasn't hardly any clouds. Stop by Carter lake sometime and I'll tell the story of Mother's Day 1997.

Yes, it often seems like the best thing to do is too roll the main and or jib, but my experience I actually try to keep the main or jib up, On my old hunter 25 the winds would pull the motor out of the water which to me was worse. I can reef the jib to a small hankerchef and then heave to to ride out the wind. You can handle a lot while n the water and hove to. Also, be wary of the lee shore, since our winds can come from any direction during these storms.

My rule is, always have my inflatable PFD on when sailing, Dillon is cold and you really don't want to end up in the water, Learn to heave to quickly and you'll be able to ride out most storms, the afternoon ones generally only last a few minutes and then you can sail in.

To all of those who say reef or head in at the first sign, around here in the summer that means when the sun comes up, we often will get 25-35 mph winds before the storm has fully formed and the idea of a warrning is there is a cloud in the sky. We truely don't get any warning of any kind.

Your still learning, just liek all of us, learn to embrace the wind, remember, people cross the southern ocean in hurrican force winds and consider it another day at the office, I like to get out in the heavy air and learn what my boat will do, and then when the sudden storms hit I know how she will behave. Our boats will generally take much more than we can handle.

Oh and by the way, get the reefing lines set up. when you are hove to, you can reef the main even if the wind is blowing hard.

Fair winds, and enjoy,

Victor

Joe · Jul 12, 2014

Re: crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower

If you want to keep sailing with the headsail, you can luff the mainsail by easing the main sheet and traveler before dropping.... or reefing. Do this on a close reach. If you prefer luffing the boat up into the wind, then heed the others advice to turn the motor on so you'll have control of the boat as the sails come down. I prefer to have the boom eased out to the ports side a bit (starboard tack) because the fasteners, halyard and cleats for dropping or reefing are on the starboard side.

I highly recommend you practice at the dock.. reefing, dropping, changing, folding or packing the sail are all procedures that should be familiar to you before going out in big wind.

Anonymous 121765 · Jul 13, 2014

Re: crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower

Crafty,

You have good advice from the guys here.

Since this is well-covered, I would like to offer some personal advice. We were all new once, it's all about trial & error. Einstein once said, "There is no such thing as genius. it's about making all the mistakes until you find out the correct one".

If out sailing & you see a changing weather approach, here's a failsafe rule I always use. If the thought, "should I maybe take down or reef my sails? Should my engine?"
This is the TIME to do it. Do it @ first thought, do it early to avoid white-knuckle, damage & injury.

You can always shake your sails out again.

CR

CHM · Jul 13, 2014

Re: crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower

As was already mentioned: reef early whenever possible, motor or steer into irons to minimize the work in dropping (or raising) main sail. Learn how to "Heave to" in a pinch. Be prepared as all it takes is an unexpected gust at the wrong angle to heel your boat over.

walt · Jul 13, 2014

I was at Elevenmile in South Park (about 50 miles from Dillon as a crow flies) and it got pretty wild there yesterday. I didnt sail Sat but did sail on Friday.

I always have extra respect for those T storms during the Monsoon season which goes from about now until mid August. At Elevenmile, if the storms come in from the West, you can see them ahead of time. I took this picture on Friday (also Monsoon conditions) looking West and that storm you can see is probably at least 10 miles away. This lake is surounded by mountains in any other direction and if the storm comes in from a different direction.. they really come in fast!!! This lake is at 8600 ft elevation and Dillon is just over 9000 ft el. The higher you are, the faster things change.

The picture below is from yesterday at Elevenmile. I dont know if you had the same conditions at Dillon (likely) but I feel your pain..

Anonymous 121765 · Jul 13, 2014

Re: crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower

Walt,

The pic looks like maybe a front was moving thru.
In summer where I live, we get alot of thunderhead formations.
Lot's of thunder, lightning, waterspouts & quick sea builds.

I used to sail my pal's Hobie & we had daredevil times. He never believed in having two Amas in the water at any given time. We were literally flying sideways!

CR

walt · Jul 13, 2014

I dont know if there was a front or not but if the monsoon flow is sending moisture our way, those storm build up like that just about every day. It was like this the last two days, I think today will be the same.

I am not at all complaining however about these conditions as the last two years before, we were worried about forest fires.. monsoon storms are way better.

Chris Patterson · Jul 13, 2014

In answer to one of your thoughts, no, there is little possibility of you hurting that boat, short of the beach or bricks. Joe would know this better than I, but that Capri series is one tough boat, that racers keep standing on her ear most of the time. Now that I think of it, that is one boat I've never had to work on. Must be a tough one..

jibes138 · Jul 13, 2014

Re: crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower

Crafty, how many people do you have for a crew or are you single handing? In a small outboard powered craft I always felt it was better to motor when there was no wind and try to sail when there is wind. When the waves kick up your outboard will keep popping out of the water, and over revving as the boat pitches. Better to have a small amount of sail up that helps steady the motion and give you consistent power to get through the waves.
As noted previously you don't have to be totally in irons if you have a crew, keep the headsail up and sail on a close reach to close hauled. Ease the mainsheet until the main luffs and drop the halyard and either reef the sail or tie the sail to the boom with sail ties. If you keep a reef in the main you can then use it to power the boat close hauled while you release the jib sheet until the jib luffs and then lower the jib if it is hanked on or roller furl it if so equipped.
Great sail ties can be made with 1 inch webbing by sewing a loop in one end that has a single twist in it. This keeps the loop open when you want to use it and so your not fumbling around with one hand trying to open the loop while putting the other end through it. Bungee cords can also be used but the webbing is a lot better.
You can always keep the motor running in neutral as a safety precaution in case you need to drop all sail immediately or you are being blown onto rocks and can't claw your way off. A motor may let you straight line to your destination but in a short pitch wave scenario (like on most lakes or shallow water sounds and bays) the pounding of the boat through the waves will be severe, as mentioned the prop will keep coming out of the water, you will lose all or most headway with every wave and be very uncomfortable.

crazy wind Lake Dillon, CO - question re: when to lower main

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