Heaving-to

reefmagnet · Aug 20, 2001

Hi George,

I don't pretend to be an expert, but several other sources are available.
For example, the "Westerly" conference which is based in the UK (England to me) mostly have "north sea" experiences to share.

Two books which seem very promising to me, in terms of "how to" content (obviously no substitiute for "been there, done that" ..

- "Heavy Weather Sailing" -- Allard Coles
- "Storm Tactics" - Lin and Larry Pardey .. written specifically for "small boats" (20 - 45 feet) which borrows some, I am sure, from Allard Coles work. But adds additional material (been there, done that) for the small boat perspective.

Bob E
s/v Second Nature
"Life is what happens while you are making other plans."

reefmagnet · Aug 21, 2001

Hi George,

I heave to on the San Francisco Bay every now and then. The Vega is pretty
stable in light winds, but you have to pay attention to the current.

I haven't used a tri-sail, but I usually double-reef in winds over 20 kts.
Weather helm is reduced, allowing the boat to ride flatter in the water. She
scoots along pretty well, too.

I recommend just taking her out, and try everything once. She'll let you
know what's good for her. The Vega is a pretty forgiving boat. That's what
makes her such a pleasure. The more you get to know her, the more you'll
love her.

Steve DeMont
"Erendira" Vega 2947

reefmagnet · Aug 21, 2001

George,
We were hit by a fast moving front on our way to Mexico. Winds to 50
knots and 25 to 30 ft seas. With a lee shore and no refuge in range we had
to head into it. We "hove to" with 2 reefs in the main and the tiller lashed
hard over. No jib. The next morning showed that we were about 12 miles
further off shore than when we started. I guess we "fore reached" also.
Scary night but the boat behaved well. As an aside, we had the occasional
big one on the bow put water in the cockpit. Big cockpit, small drains. We
wound up putting a couple of extra drains above the existing ones. Keep a
bucket tied in the cockpit just in case. Sailmaker talked us out of a
trysail. Put a third set of reef point in instead. We also put a babystay on
the mast so we can move the storm jib in closer to the center of effort.
Truthfully speaking though, we haven't used it. I guess the only way you
will be able to tell how well everything works is doing it the conditions
that you would need it for. We carry the same kind of sea anchor as the
Pardey's but also have not used it. Good luck.
Walt, Lyric #120

reefmagnet · Aug 22, 2001

"walt/judy brown/allore" bestvega@... writes:

| Truthfully speaking though, we haven't used it. I guess the only way you
| will be able to tell how well everything works is doing it the conditions
| that you would need it for. We carry the same kind of sea anchor as the
| Pardey's but also have not used it. Good luck.

I met a cold front between canaries and cape verde (outside africa) and
got a chance to test my newbought 12 foot para-anchor. I followed the
instruction from Pardeys and it was just like anchoring. But beware of
getting your fingers in the rope. I could play on a 1 inch rope as a
guitar. There is tremendous power and it was kind of hard to get the
para-anchor back on board again.

--
/Jonny
Opera Software
phone:+47-24164370 fax:+47-24164002

reefmagnet · Aug 22, 2001

Dear Walt, I find your description of heaving to very interisting.
I wondered if you have ever used the technique of towing a loop of
line cleated on each stern quarter?

While heaving to with 2 reefs in the main, were the slab reefs?
How did you lash the tiller? Did you use shock cord to allow some
movement? Is is neccessary. What happens during the heaving to with
main only....does the boat point at a safe angle to waves and wind?
Do you prevent the boom in any way? What is the size/make of the sea
anchor you carry? The pardeys wrote some great books and make amazing
videos also. They are truly special people!

Regards
Emile

reefmagnet · Aug 22, 2001

Emile, Yes they were slab reefs, the anchor is a Navy surplus drogue chute.
It's around 8 or 9 ft in diameter and made of a rather heavy but loose weave
nylon. I purchased it through a surplus dealer for a very decent price. From
the pictures in the Pardey's book it appears to be identical. The boom was
not prevented and the tiller was lashed hardover with a piece of line. If I
recall correctly the line was led over the coaming and made fast to the
upright of the stern pulpit. There wasn't much tension on the tiller. The
boat kept itself bow into the waves and wind. While we made some headway
there wasn't enough to come about. A backed jib would have pretty much
stopped our forward motion. I don't know if this technique would work as
well on a fin keeled boat. Towing loops or bights is something I've only
read about. We had a device called a Delta Drogue aboard. Towing a drouge or
bights would be for "runnning off" , a technique that I have no experience
in. As an aside if I had to use the sea anchor I would have used the 1/2"
double braid nylon anchor rode. I was told by somebody or read somewhere
that a three strand rode could "unlay" under the tension.
I am not an expert on any of this and would like to hear from others
regarding their experiences. Walt

Heaving-to

Brian Hofler

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