A San Fran sailor of a Bene 38, who has been sailing those water for 60 years, contacted me yesterday. First he complimented me on my book, which he indicated he found useful. He then indicated he was surprised that my book made no mention of reefing trim since on most summer days he has to reef. I'm sure my good friend Stu J knows all about sailing in those conditions.
I've only had to THINK about reefing three time. The first time was on Lake Havasu, AZ where it it either blows zero or 90 knots. I saw the front coming and merely dropped the main & jib on the Mac 22 and motored back to the marina. The next time was in Long Beach, Ca harbor on a Catalina 25. High winds are not common there and again I saw it coming. Fortunately, I was about a half mile from a oil island. I hot footed to the lee of the island and dropped anchor. After the front past I went happily on my way. The 3rd time was at a Catalina 30 National event in Santa Cruz, Ca. It was really blowing. I mean blowing like stink. Two boats were dismasted that day. I had sailed with this crew a number of times and everyone knew their job plus we were fighting for first place and the boat we were fighting against wasn't reefed. Matter of fact, reefing never crossed our mind. It was a photo finish - we came in second.
My advise is that when you first think that maybe you should reef you're next step is reef BUT before reefing, there are a number of things you can do with your main and jib to maintain control and sailing in heavy wind is addressed in my book and on my sail trim chart. Both products are designed for beginner sailors and my advise to them is that if it's blowing like stink when you arrive at the marina - don't go out. Know your limitations and if you have limited experience and have not practiced reefing and you're caught in it don't fool around - drop the main and jib and motor through it.
Note: If my wife and I arrived at the marina and it was blowing hard and I wanted to go out anyway I'd be going alone. She'd tell me have fun and to call her at Parkers Lighthouse (local restaurant) when I got back!!
Getting back to the San Fran sailor's question. He didn't mention his reefing sail trim technique SO, from those of you who frequently sail in those conditions or those that might - what is the technique you'd use?
I've only had to THINK about reefing three time. The first time was on Lake Havasu, AZ where it it either blows zero or 90 knots. I saw the front coming and merely dropped the main & jib on the Mac 22 and motored back to the marina. The next time was in Long Beach, Ca harbor on a Catalina 25. High winds are not common there and again I saw it coming. Fortunately, I was about a half mile from a oil island. I hot footed to the lee of the island and dropped anchor. After the front past I went happily on my way. The 3rd time was at a Catalina 30 National event in Santa Cruz, Ca. It was really blowing. I mean blowing like stink. Two boats were dismasted that day. I had sailed with this crew a number of times and everyone knew their job plus we were fighting for first place and the boat we were fighting against wasn't reefed. Matter of fact, reefing never crossed our mind. It was a photo finish - we came in second.
My advise is that when you first think that maybe you should reef you're next step is reef BUT before reefing, there are a number of things you can do with your main and jib to maintain control and sailing in heavy wind is addressed in my book and on my sail trim chart. Both products are designed for beginner sailors and my advise to them is that if it's blowing like stink when you arrive at the marina - don't go out. Know your limitations and if you have limited experience and have not practiced reefing and you're caught in it don't fool around - drop the main and jib and motor through it.
Note: If my wife and I arrived at the marina and it was blowing hard and I wanted to go out anyway I'd be going alone. She'd tell me have fun and to call her at Parkers Lighthouse (local restaurant) when I got back!!
Getting back to the San Fran sailor's question. He didn't mention his reefing sail trim technique SO, from those of you who frequently sail in those conditions or those that might - what is the technique you'd use?