Explain Forereaching vs HeavingTo for Storm Tactic

[Joe Mullee]

I was reading an article from the SAILNET archives last night (can't remember who wrote it). In it the author was describing two different tactics to use in a storm. I understand how to heave-to. He also wrote of "forereaching" 50-60 degrees off the wind as a very effective storm tactic. This I'm not sure I understand. Is he referring to just a close haul into the wind as a storm tactic? He suggested that forereaching was a better tactic than heaving-to in most situations. I don't understand why. Explanations and opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Gord May]

Forereaching has 2 meanings ...

Deliberate forereaching is coming up into the wind at perhaps 30-45 degrees, under reduced sail. So, yes, this is a sort of slow close-hauled tactic. Mostly used under moderately bad conditions, you might make about 1-2 knots headway.Inadvertant forereaching occurs when you intend to be hove-to, butrather than slowly falling off to leeward, you make some unintended headway; thus moving out of the calmed water to windward. This would be ill-advised under the most severe conditions, when we prefer to heave-to.You might characterise forereaching as a storm management tactic, whereas heaving-to is more a storm survuival tactic.Both tactics require practice, prior to encountering a situation when they are required.