sail flogging

[Mark]

At times we get caught in heavy wind without time to reef.When we are pointing up in such winds we find of course that our main flogs with such force that the boom and thus the whole yacht vibrates.As we bear away of course the flogging gets much much worse until the point where the main fills and of course we are then in a position where she heals well over.What can we adjust or fine tune, other than reefing, to prevent this bad vibration.

 

[Russell Egge]

Reef

You are overpowered. Start the engine, point into the wind and reef.My greatest fears in that situation is that (1)the wind will continue to increase and really ruin my day (2) some thing will break and really ruin my day.RussellS/V Allie Kat

 

[Hugh McCully]

Single Line Reefing

Single line reefing has worked for me. It allows a reef to be taken in from the safety of the cockpit. You can take the reef in despite the weather conditions. The sail is bound to flog some no matter how you do it. Single line reefing is probably the best sailability feature I have added to my boat.

 

[David Foster]

Ease traveler

if you really are in a gust, then moving the traveler downwind will depower the main, and decrease heeling force without changing course. Easing the mainsheet adds more twist to dump air at the top of the sail. (Would have to ease the vang, too.)But a strong, unexpected gust is often a forerunner of front, or storm line. So we would then heave to, and reef the main once the gust has eased.DavidLady Lillie

 

[Mark]

wow

Thanks for the very prompt replies!We do not have a traveller.The post was put on as an interest generator!What we always do is loosen the vang, pull in the main and reef and if the conditions warrant start the motor to maintain heading.Hope we get more comments.Regards

 

[Joe]

Flatten the Sail...

Flatten the main as the wind builds to depower the sail. Ease the traveller down to reduce heeling. Ease the mainsheet in puffs to twist off the air at the top of the sail. Make sure your leech line is adjusted. If you don't understand these terms, go the the library and check out a book on sailing and sail trimming.