Cutting a sail free in a surprise squall

[alvinski]

Odessa Mac 65 layer down by 92kt wind in NJ

Scary... we were also caught by the storm. Anchored inside Little Egg Harbor inlet in our Mac Gregor 65 "Odessa". The first wind wall and crazy lightning was 50kts and the anchor held. There was a short lull then 60kts established... a few minutes later the first big gust hit... 92kts for about 10 seconds. This one ripped us off anchor and slammed us on our side at close to 60 degrees with the rail in the water... it continued for half an hour. Doreen was screaming as I tried to use the engine to straighten Odessa our into wind... no hope in hell. I lost track of the wind speed with no time but to don the PFD, harness and hook on and hold on. We were dragged straight across the bay on our side and run aground on the west shore of the island... luckily Odessa has a 9' keel and we we're run 30' or so onto the 4' sand. A short keel and we'd have been smash onto the piers and rocks. I relate very well to your experience and have never felt so helpless. Our 85lb galvanized anchor was polished like stainless steel... so much for coastal sailing... give me the leeward islands any time. The night before the storm we were tenuously anchored in Atlantic City by the bridge... it felt unsafe and my gut made me move that day... always follow your gut. The wife and kids were pretty shaken up by it all... but, life goes on and we monitor the east coast weather every hour.

 

[alvinski]

I can imagine how shocking it would be to be faced with that situation when all is calm in advance. We were anchored well into the evening last Friday night after the fireworks display was over. In northern NJ, there wasn't even a hint of this storm.

You didn't mention if you had a sail cover for your main sail or not. When I tie my sail to the boom, I use three very flimsy shock cord ties. I don't worry about this when the sail cover is on. I've never been in a situation when I had to worry about holding down the sail in a blow without the cover on.

For me, it raises the question ... do most sailors secure the mainsail with substantial sail ties in addition to the sail cover when out in the open or is it enough to rely on the cover? We've talked about removing all sails when boats are at the mooring or dock when severe storm conditions are predicted and imminent. Obviously, the consideration is that the covered sail adds windage.

In this situation, is the cover just an added burden, or would it have secured the sail?

Hey Scott.
We have a sail cover but always have several lengths of Dynema line from 4' to 8' with a loop in one end... there handy for many things... quick shackles etc. but we use them to "ALWAYS" strap down the main at the head/halyard shackle when the sail comes down. Lesson learnt when we were hit by moderate squalls in the Caribbean to 50kts. Our main was pulled up a third of the way in one despite being bagged... when a small amount of sail gets into wind the bag tabs ripped and the zipper went whoosh. Odessa has a 75' mast so you can imagine the effect if that puppy gets loose. During the storm on Friday night I'm sure it was that short and cheap length of Dyneema that saved us major damage and permanent mental stress.

 

[Ross]

Alvinski, is your anchor really large enough for that size boat? I carry a 35 pound CQR on 35 feet of 3/8 inch chain and 300 feet of 5/8 three ply nylon.. My boat weighs less than five tons.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Guys,

Living in Florida, bad shit comes on you quickly.

If ever in the shit, hopfully with some searoom. Fire up the iron jib (motor) turn 180 off the wind till you gain some speed. then come around quickly straight up full throttle, with someone on the bow anchor. Hopefully you can hear on another and when throwing the anchor cleanly, you may get a set. I use 25 feet of heavy dity chain. Less or smaller will cause a difference.

The important thing to remember is the timing between dropping (never throwing) the anchor hand over hand to get it down quickly & the helmsman backing down at the proper moment. If it fouls, you might be screwed. Make sure you don't foul the anchor line/chain. It will never set.

Try a quick set. But, depending on shallow depth that 5 to 1 in a blow needs to be 10 to 1 in scope so your anchor sets.

All the while violently re-tug (hopefully alot of heavy duty chain about 20-25 feet in length) on the anchor line, if set, maybe this will hold (it's worked for me in some unGodly conditions in skinny water.

If you miss this opportunity, you might find yourself in worse SH**T. So make it happen the first time. Remember, cool heads prevail.

CR

 

[zeehag]

calm before storm is classic trap.

reef during calm and you are prepared. then there is no panic during beginning of storm when winds are often flukey. off west fla--drop main and furl part of jib. is easier to sail with just jib than deal with the mayhem of both needing reefed. we had 37 ft sloop---lots of work in storms.

ketches are easier by far. keep main down and reef mizzen and jib and go for it. i love mine.