There is an interesting article in this month's Cruising World magazine by Steve and Linda Dashew about the use of heaving to as a storm tactic. What I found interesting was their comment that boats with roller furling headsails will have trouble getting closer to the wind than 65 to 80 degrees when heaving to. This pretty much reflects my experience even with the helm hard over with my Hunter 335 and its 135 genoa which is my working headsail. Being off the wind this much in a moderate wind as a tactic to go fix lunch isn't a problem. However, in a real blow this would leave you really exposed to beam-on waves. The authors suggest dropping your big genoa and hanking on a working jib or using a riding sail off the aft end of the boat to increase weather helm and bring the bow more into the wind. Anyone have any thoughts on this? What kind of off wind angles are you experiencing? What tactics do you use to bring your bow more into the wind when heaving to? Thanks for your help. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi
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Hazards of roller furling
I have hank on sails so can't really comment on angles, etc. but my biggest concern about roller furling in big blows is the possibility of mechanical failures. If you get caught before "reefing," you run the danger of not getting the sail in. There is always the possility too that it could unfurl & cause some real problems. I would have to agree that if you're going to heave to in a blow, remove the sail & hank on a storm/working jib. LaDonna
I have hank on sails so can't really comment on angles, etc. but my biggest concern about roller furling in big blows is the possibility of mechanical failures. If you get caught before "reefing," you run the danger of not getting the sail in. There is always the possility too that it could unfurl & cause some real problems. I would have to agree that if you're going to heave to in a blow, remove the sail & hank on a storm/working jib. LaDonna
Gale Sail
I haven't met anyone with actual experience using it, but the "Gale Sail" idea looked interesting. It's a storm jib with the luff attached to a sleeve that slides over the furled jib & its sheets. They claim it will prevent the roller furled jib from becoming "undone". Don't know how much that sleeve will chafe the jib/sheets underneath it, though. See: http://www.atninc.com I've wrestled with the roller furled jib (previously furled to about 80%) during a storm where the winds were 20-25knts, gusting up above 30kts, and it is a real chore to get it rolled up before it tears itself apart. Takes some really close crew coordination easing the sheet while hauling in on the furler. One lesson I learned (and its in every book on the subject) is that it must be taken in BEFORE the winds get that high. Also, many writers suggest going downwind with the main shading the jib in order to furl it (I didn't have that option).
I haven't met anyone with actual experience using it, but the "Gale Sail" idea looked interesting. It's a storm jib with the luff attached to a sleeve that slides over the furled jib & its sheets. They claim it will prevent the roller furled jib from becoming "undone". Don't know how much that sleeve will chafe the jib/sheets underneath it, though. See: http://www.atninc.com I've wrestled with the roller furled jib (previously furled to about 80%) during a storm where the winds were 20-25knts, gusting up above 30kts, and it is a real chore to get it rolled up before it tears itself apart. Takes some really close crew coordination easing the sheet while hauling in on the furler. One lesson I learned (and its in every book on the subject) is that it must be taken in BEFORE the winds get that high. Also, many writers suggest going downwind with the main shading the jib in order to furl it (I didn't have that option).
Another comment
The problem with roller furled jibs is they lose their efficient shape after about 80% of their max size. If you are using a 135% genoa, then furling it to about 115% is the limit. If you take it in further, you might try adjusting the jib sheet block car to alter the shape a bit while hove to. Might work. Also, another trick I've used to point a tad higher is to bend a line to the working jib sheet up near the clew using a rolling hitch, and pull the clew in tighter toward the mast, securing it onto some convenient point. Just remember to undo it before tacking! This works to allow you to ease off on the sheet tension & adjust the block car while under way, too.
The problem with roller furled jibs is they lose their efficient shape after about 80% of their max size. If you are using a 135% genoa, then furling it to about 115% is the limit. If you take it in further, you might try adjusting the jib sheet block car to alter the shape a bit while hove to. Might work. Also, another trick I've used to point a tad higher is to bend a line to the working jib sheet up near the clew using a rolling hitch, and pull the clew in tighter toward the mast, securing it onto some convenient point. Just remember to undo it before tacking! This works to allow you to ease off on the sheet tension & adjust the block car while under way, too.
already backwinded pointing?
i dont get the roller furling part .unless they are refering to the poor entry of a large wad of sail at the luff. however do mess a bit with the trim of the main. it makes a large difference on a smaller boat as far as how high you point while hove to. also i find that as i trim in the main the helm is never really that far off center. by the way if its that ugly out you really should have the genny down and working or storm jib up . remember the boat is designed to sail (i presume you have a sloop) with 2 sails not a main and a rolled up genny. Dont compromise your boat out of the inconvenience of a sail change. good luck.
i dont get the roller furling part .unless they are refering to the poor entry of a large wad of sail at the luff. however do mess a bit with the trim of the main. it makes a large difference on a smaller boat as far as how high you point while hove to. also i find that as i trim in the main the helm is never really that far off center. by the way if its that ugly out you really should have the genny down and working or storm jib up . remember the boat is designed to sail (i presume you have a sloop) with 2 sails not a main and a rolled up genny. Dont compromise your boat out of the inconvenience of a sail change. good luck.
Two more cents
I agree with MG. Get that big sail down and get something up that is made for the weather at hand. And also, a roller furl is made for just that..to furl, not to reef. You may also consider a removable inner stay. I sail a cutter rig and use the staysail to heave-to. LaDonna also has a good point, but if you buy good equipment and maintain it well you shouldn't have any trouble furling a sail in a blow. It sure beats riding a wildly bucking deck while trying to grab arm loads of wet and whipping sails. Good luck... Ron
I agree with MG. Get that big sail down and get something up that is made for the weather at hand. And also, a roller furl is made for just that..to furl, not to reef. You may also consider a removable inner stay. I sail a cutter rig and use the staysail to heave-to. LaDonna also has a good point, but if you buy good equipment and maintain it well you shouldn't have any trouble furling a sail in a blow. It sure beats riding a wildly bucking deck while trying to grab arm loads of wet and whipping sails. Good luck... Ron
Hey guys, there are no big genoas on new Hunters
..but due to large main/small jib , there is a problem to find the correct setting for heave to. In my experience (29.5) heave-to cannot be mentained unless main reefed , and even so it's not a eassy possition to keep.What are your experiences about that?
..but due to large main/small jib , there is a problem to find the correct setting for heave to. In my experience (29.5) heave-to cannot be mentained unless main reefed , and even so it's not a eassy possition to keep.What are your experiences about that?
Read and Heed their advice......
I read that article twice, and have decided to copy it into my sailing archives. The Dashew's are a legendary couple with incredible sailing/cruising credentials. Their article states that one needs to experiment with heaving to in various conditions to find the right balance for one's particular boat. It stands to reason that a boat with a high freeboard and 135% RF will perform differently than a bluewater passagemaker with many rig options. Experimentation aside, however, I believe their article is very clear about ALL BOATS: When heavy weather is forthcoming, take down the big sail, put up the small one. DON'T MESS AROUND! If you don't like changing headsails, stay close to the shelter.
I read that article twice, and have decided to copy it into my sailing archives. The Dashew's are a legendary couple with incredible sailing/cruising credentials. Their article states that one needs to experiment with heaving to in various conditions to find the right balance for one's particular boat. It stands to reason that a boat with a high freeboard and 135% RF will perform differently than a bluewater passagemaker with many rig options. Experimentation aside, however, I believe their article is very clear about ALL BOATS: When heavy weather is forthcoming, take down the big sail, put up the small one. DON'T MESS AROUND! If you don't like changing headsails, stay close to the shelter.
A book
As many of you probably know, Lin and Larry Pardey are advocates in the extreme when it comes to heaving-to. Their book, "STORM TACTICS HANDBOOK, Modern Methods of Heaving-to for survival in Extreme Conditions," tells it all. It's 165 pages (many drawings and pictures)of Heaving-to and covers all aspects of parking your boat. I think I got my copy at Amazon.com ......Ron KA5HZV
As many of you probably know, Lin and Larry Pardey are advocates in the extreme when it comes to heaving-to. Their book, "STORM TACTICS HANDBOOK, Modern Methods of Heaving-to for survival in Extreme Conditions," tells it all. It's 165 pages (many drawings and pictures)of Heaving-to and covers all aspects of parking your boat. I think I got my copy at Amazon.com ......Ron KA5HZV
A second for the book
I want to kick in a second recommendation for the Pardys' book on heavy weather. It reads easily but is full of great information. I hope never to need the skills they advise, but I do practice them. I picked up the book after having a really hard time getting my C25 to heave to, and wound up reading most of it in one sitting. Lots of narrative illustrations so it feels like reading sea stories, and learning is a bonus. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I want to kick in a second recommendation for the Pardys' book on heavy weather. It reads easily but is full of great information. I hope never to need the skills they advise, but I do practice them. I picked up the book after having a really hard time getting my C25 to heave to, and wound up reading most of it in one sitting. Lots of narrative illustrations so it feels like reading sea stories, and learning is a bonus. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Hey, you don't have to go to Amazon to buy tis book. It is sold right here through Bly and Phil. Look in the book and reference section of the ship's store
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