We were out sailing Saturday when a thunderstorm came up "real fast". We were on a port tack close reach heeling about 20 degrees. To get back to the marina I needed to go to a run. When I tried to head down the wind came up even more and we darn near got knocked down (admiral not happy). Headed back up and eased the sheets all the way out and was able to go to the run but still way overpowered going 7.2 to 7.9 knots. Wanted to reduce sail but didn't feel comfortable going back into the wind to so cause that would've taken time and with the gusts would have been difficult. I forgot to mention that the storm was accompanied by a lot of lightning so everyone aboard, including me, wanted to get in ASAP. I managed to get the jib in using the winch and went the rest of the way under main alone eased as far out as possible but it was rubbing the spreaders and I know that ain't good. Here's the question, could I have reefed or dropped the main without heading back into the wind? In the debrief I did in my head afterwards I probably should have dropped the main and gone under jib alone but I can't figure out how I should've done it under those conditions.
Need critique and advice
- Thread starter Hugh4753
- Start date
- Status
Similar Incident
Had a very similar experience Friday on Lake Champlain. Storm rolled up on us out of the haze, no where to go. Rolled up the head sail but didn,t have time to safely take down the main. As the squal line hit I rounded up into the wind and eased of the sheet line to let 90% of the wind spill of the main. Maintained about a 30 degree heel until it calmed a little, then proceeded to run down wind around 7 knots. To answer your question I am not sure if what I did was the best way to handle it but I do not feel that I would have had enough time to safely reef or get the main down. Interested to get some experienced views.
Had a very similar experience Friday on Lake Champlain. Storm rolled up on us out of the haze, no where to go. Rolled up the head sail but didn,t have time to safely take down the main. As the squal line hit I rounded up into the wind and eased of the sheet line to let 90% of the wind spill of the main. Maintained about a 30 degree heel until it calmed a little, then proceeded to run down wind around 7 knots. To answer your question I am not sure if what I did was the best way to handle it but I do not feel that I would have had enough time to safely reef or get the main down. Interested to get some experienced views.
Raising and dropping the main sail
should be under no lateral forces. I have been taught to do so only into the wind which causes flogging but, better than damaging lazy jacks, dutchman or what ever sail track system you have. I think you did ok considering the impending storm. I think that keeping a constant eye on the weather is probably more important so you know what you need to do 15 minutes ahead of time. If you think it's time to reef - you should be reefing. Dont get caught with your pants down - or in this case with your sail up
should be under no lateral forces. I have been taught to do so only into the wind which causes flogging but, better than damaging lazy jacks, dutchman or what ever sail track system you have. I think you did ok considering the impending storm. I think that keeping a constant eye on the weather is probably more important so you know what you need to do 15 minutes ahead of time. If you think it's time to reef - you should be reefing. Dont get caught with your pants down - or in this case with your sail up
Hair Raising Experience
I had a knock down in a 26 foot Chrysler several years ago. I was raceing in the "Mug" race in Jacksonville, Fl and a thunderstorm came up. I was on a close reach starboard tack when the blast hit us and my mast went in the water. The wind subsided, we righted, changed our pants, and finished 5th in our class. Only damage was some broken cups and bent windex. Since then when I see a thunderstorm threaten I always dowse the sails and proceed under power. With the 35.5 the only safe way is to head into the wind to lower the main. It helps when furling the jib to block the wind hitting the jib with the main. That takes the pressure off the jib and you can furl it by hand without the winch. Thunderstorm winds have been reported to reach 80 mph. I was lucky and don't take chances anymore.
I had a knock down in a 26 foot Chrysler several years ago. I was raceing in the "Mug" race in Jacksonville, Fl and a thunderstorm came up. I was on a close reach starboard tack when the blast hit us and my mast went in the water. The wind subsided, we righted, changed our pants, and finished 5th in our class. Only damage was some broken cups and bent windex. Since then when I see a thunderstorm threaten I always dowse the sails and proceed under power. With the 35.5 the only safe way is to head into the wind to lower the main. It helps when furling the jib to block the wind hitting the jib with the main. That takes the pressure off the jib and you can furl it by hand without the winch. Thunderstorm winds have been reported to reach 80 mph. I was lucky and don't take chances anymore.
Hugh, what that storm did was give you the most
valuable gift; experience. No one knows your crew or boat better than you. We can yack about this-or-that procedure but that event you went through is forever seared into your memory and you will act accordingly next time. Glad it worked out. You did good!
valuable gift; experience. No one knows your crew or boat better than you. We can yack about this-or-that procedure but that event you went through is forever seared into your memory and you will act accordingly next time. Glad it worked out. You did good!
Running
I don't think I would ever run in those conditions becauseI would be deeply concerned about a change of wind direction and my boom in an unintended jibe.In a storm, I would not have confidence in a preventer either. I would broad reach and, if I had to change tacks, "wear" the boat. I may not be using that term right, but what I mean is that when you would want to jibe but you don't want to risk it because of heavy wind, then come about, but go 300 degrees instead of the usual 100 degrees or so.
I don't think I would ever run in those conditions becauseI would be deeply concerned about a change of wind direction and my boom in an unintended jibe.In a storm, I would not have confidence in a preventer either. I would broad reach and, if I had to change tacks, "wear" the boat. I may not be using that term right, but what I mean is that when you would want to jibe but you don't want to risk it because of heavy wind, then come about, but go 300 degrees instead of the usual 100 degrees or so.
Hindsight
With my 20/20 hindsight, once I realized I couldn't turn to make the run downwind with all sail set I should've immediately headed up into the wind dropped the main and gone on the run with jib alone. Although time was of the essence and the wind was really howling in that situation it would probably not taken have taken that long reduced sail immediately, made for a more comfortable trip back in and not stressed me out about the main rubbing on the spreaders. As Fred said, EXPERIENCE, next time in a similar circumstance I'll probably handle it a little differently. And Eric, I actually did wear the boat to get on the port tack to start the turn downwind rather than jibe, which under those circumstance would've been violent,so that's sound advice too. Thanks for the input.
With my 20/20 hindsight, once I realized I couldn't turn to make the run downwind with all sail set I should've immediately headed up into the wind dropped the main and gone on the run with jib alone. Although time was of the essence and the wind was really howling in that situation it would probably not taken have taken that long reduced sail immediately, made for a more comfortable trip back in and not stressed me out about the main rubbing on the spreaders. As Fred said, EXPERIENCE, next time in a similar circumstance I'll probably handle it a little differently. And Eric, I actually did wear the boat to get on the port tack to start the turn downwind rather than jibe, which under those circumstance would've been violent,so that's sound advice too. Thanks for the input.
Heave-to!
Why not heave-to to drop the main? Use the backwinded jib to shield it and drop it! (or raise).
Why not heave-to to drop the main? Use the backwinded jib to shield it and drop it! (or raise).
Just drop the main
I have frequently dropped the main when the wind is at my back - within 20-30 degrees off the stern. (I have a 40 ft Hunter) Simply pull the main sheet line in tight so the boom is over the cockpit, and if need be pull it slightly to one side to reduce the wind angle further. The end result is effectively the same as pointing into the wind, except from a 180 degree change. It works fine, especially if you are sailing short handed, and do not want to leave the cockpit for too long. You can pull it down by the back of the sail most of the way, and then go up to the mast to finish. But as others have said, if you think you might need to reef, then reef (or drop your sails). You can always pull them out again if you were wrong. Sounds like things worked out in any event.
I have frequently dropped the main when the wind is at my back - within 20-30 degrees off the stern. (I have a 40 ft Hunter) Simply pull the main sheet line in tight so the boom is over the cockpit, and if need be pull it slightly to one side to reduce the wind angle further. The end result is effectively the same as pointing into the wind, except from a 180 degree change. It works fine, especially if you are sailing short handed, and do not want to leave the cockpit for too long. You can pull it down by the back of the sail most of the way, and then go up to the mast to finish. But as others have said, if you think you might need to reef, then reef (or drop your sails). You can always pull them out again if you were wrong. Sounds like things worked out in any event.
Brian M is right.
Heave to is the obvious answer. Fred brings up a VERY good point. If you never challenge your sailing skills you will NEVER be able to handle your boat in all conditions and you will not improve. Mother nature threw you a present with that storm. That's the time you put your knowledge into action. Practice putting in a reef in light air while hove to. Then do it in stronger and stronger breeze. You will gain self confidence and feel comfortable reefing next time you face those conditions. Thats how we learn and improve.
Heave to is the obvious answer. Fred brings up a VERY good point. If you never challenge your sailing skills you will NEVER be able to handle your boat in all conditions and you will not improve. Mother nature threw you a present with that storm. That's the time you put your knowledge into action. Practice putting in a reef in light air while hove to. Then do it in stronger and stronger breeze. You will gain self confidence and feel comfortable reefing next time you face those conditions. Thats how we learn and improve.
Helloooooooo
Hugh, With the storm that developed over the top of us the other day you could have eased your main halyard while taking up your reef line. You can use this procedure while running. Then when you catch your breath and have the boat dead down wind you can lower the mains'l by completely releasing the halyard if you have someone available to pull down and flake the minimized portion of your main. Ive employed this tactic a couple of times with the winds gusting enough for a white knuckle round up. The way that storm developed you should have errored on the safe side and dropped all sail and motored in. In retrospect, you did sail faster than I could motor. See ya'll soon. Fair Winds, Bill
Hugh, With the storm that developed over the top of us the other day you could have eased your main halyard while taking up your reef line. You can use this procedure while running. Then when you catch your breath and have the boat dead down wind you can lower the mains'l by completely releasing the halyard if you have someone available to pull down and flake the minimized portion of your main. Ive employed this tactic a couple of times with the winds gusting enough for a white knuckle round up. The way that storm developed you should have errored on the safe side and dropped all sail and motored in. In retrospect, you did sail faster than I could motor. See ya'll soon. Fair Winds, Bill
Go with it
Sounds like you where having fun and didn't know it. I know it is an adrenaline rush, but you could have just seized the moment and gone for it down wind. Trim everything up nice and go for it. You might have set a personal speed record to tell all your friends about.
Sounds like you where having fun and didn't know it. I know it is an adrenaline rush, but you could have just seized the moment and gone for it down wind. Trim everything up nice and go for it. You might have set a personal speed record to tell all your friends about.
reefing
reefing in a storm is certainly a rush, no question about it. I could be mistaken, but it is my understanding that with the fractional rig on the hunter, that if you are going to reduce to one sail, it should be the main and not the jib in order to maintain boat balance. any opinion on this?
reefing in a storm is certainly a rush, no question about it. I could be mistaken, but it is my understanding that with the fractional rig on the hunter, that if you are going to reduce to one sail, it should be the main and not the jib in order to maintain boat balance. any opinion on this?
Your not alone
Hugh: The more you sail the more you will encounter just what happened to you. I got caught in gusty winds (about 35 mph) and did the following. 1. Easied the main out as far as I could to depower it staying about 110 degrees off the wind. 2. Put on the autopilot 3. Pulled in the jib via the roller furler. What a bear since it was still getting loaded by the wind. (Heading into the wind was not an option since I was in a narrow channel. Not sure I would head into the wind anyway since the boat would really heal over and make it very unstable.) 4. After the jib was furled, I then turned the boat as close to the wind as I could (about 60 degrees off the wind). Having the jib down also really depowers the main. 5. Reefed the main to the second reef point. 6. Boat sailed very smoothy after that even though the wind was blowing with gusts to 35 knots. I realize now that I should have listened to the forecast and reefed early but as I said before, I sail alot and this sometimes happens. I think if the forecast was to predict even higher winds I would not have gone out that day. If I was unfortunate and got stuck in higher winds than 35 knots, I would have completely furled the main and headed home under power if possible. Other wise I would have heaved to with 2 reef points and wait it out. Hope this helps, Ray
Hugh: The more you sail the more you will encounter just what happened to you. I got caught in gusty winds (about 35 mph) and did the following. 1. Easied the main out as far as I could to depower it staying about 110 degrees off the wind. 2. Put on the autopilot 3. Pulled in the jib via the roller furler. What a bear since it was still getting loaded by the wind. (Heading into the wind was not an option since I was in a narrow channel. Not sure I would head into the wind anyway since the boat would really heal over and make it very unstable.) 4. After the jib was furled, I then turned the boat as close to the wind as I could (about 60 degrees off the wind). Having the jib down also really depowers the main. 5. Reefed the main to the second reef point. 6. Boat sailed very smoothy after that even though the wind was blowing with gusts to 35 knots. I realize now that I should have listened to the forecast and reefed early but as I said before, I sail alot and this sometimes happens. I think if the forecast was to predict even higher winds I would not have gone out that day. If I was unfortunate and got stuck in higher winds than 35 knots, I would have completely furled the main and headed home under power if possible. Other wise I would have heaved to with 2 reef points and wait it out. Hope this helps, Ray
- Status