Sailing in heavier wind

[YVRguy]

Off for a sail today and it looks like a little extra wind out there (20kts + in places.) I'm taking my GF rather than my sailing buddy so I want to be a little extra careful about managing the sails, lest I put her off sailing for good.

I'm thinking of putting in a reef at the dock but I'm wondering if I could just run with one sail instead. That leads me to wonder about which is the better sail to use on it's own. I'm frankly not sure what size genoa I have but I know it comes back to the front of the dodger when sheeted in tight.

Any suggestions on sailing with a head-sail vs. just the main? Here in the Gulf Islands the wind is incredibly variable so reefing gets a bit tiresome (one minute you need it, the next you don't...)

Thanks for your guidance as always.

 

[tomgrigsby]

If your rig is masthead, the Genoa will be fine and you'll be able to point well. If you rig is fractional, then the main is the way to go. I can't tell what you have from your picture.
If you reef the main and use both sails, it would be quite fun, but maybe more "fun" than she would like.

 

[YVRguy]

If your rig is masthead, the Genoa will be fine and you'll be able to point well. If you rig is fractional, then the main is the way to go. I can't tell what you have from your picture.
If you reef the main and use both sails, it would be quite fun, but maybe more "fun" than she would like.

Perfect, thanks. I have a masthead rig so I'll go with the genoa. Maybe I'll still reef the main before I leave so there's some extra sail available if it's needed.

Cheers

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Your thought about putting a reef in at the dock is a good move. It is easy to remove a reef when on the water if the winds are not as strong as you thought, but it is harder to put a reef in when you are getting blown around, especially if you have some one with little experience at the helm while you are at the mast. I have done a lot of deliveries and sometimes it just makes sense to use the genoa and leave the main stowed as you can get into trouble with the main, unless you have enough crew on board and if you are on a big boat.

 

[Stretch]

Nice weather for a sail, Doug, I assume you didn't have to worry about reefing on the way home. I read your trip report on your blog. I was wondering how Pt Aitk was with the tide running 12 ft, out in the morning?
I didn't make it out sailing, but another member out on sunday reported seeing a deer swimming to Defense Island and 20 dolphins off Potlatch Bay.
There is the Round Bowen Island Race you would like, a lot more laid back than the Southern Straits.

 

[Jared1048]

I have a 150 Genoa and I'd be overpowered with 20 knots. Use just a full main instead if you want the smoothest ride. You have more ways of shaping the main then your do the headsail. I'd be able to almost maintain hull speed with main only depending upon how choppy it was. With a #3 jib I'd be able to get the extra knot but would be 2x more work to maintain

getting pulled around by the nose is going to want to heel the boat over creating lots of drag wanting to round you up. With the main your getting pushed more on the center axis of the boat so you don't get that drag as much

 

[YVRguy]

Nice weather for a sail, Doug, I assume you didn't have to worry about reefing on the way home. I read your trip report on your blog. I was wondering how Pt Aitk was with the tide running 12 ft, out in the morning?
I didn't make it out sailing, but another member out on sunday reported seeing a deer swimming to Defense Island and 20 dolphins off Potlatch Bay.
There is the Round Bowen Island Race you would like, a lot more laid back than the Southern Straits.

Stretch, Pt. Atkinson was fine but it was really lumpy for the first half KM outside of First Narrows. After that, smooth sailing as it were...

I've heard of the round Bowen race and maybe someday I'll do it. As you can probably tell from my blog, sailing is more about relaxation for me at this point.

BTW, I was talking to my GF about your invite to Squamish. Might just look you up later this spring when we get the boat that far.

 

[YVRguy]

I have a 150 Genoa and I'd be overpowered with 20 knots. Use just a full main instead if you want the smoothest ride. You have more ways of shaping the main then your do the headsail. I'd be able to almost maintain hull speed with main only depending upon how choppy it was. With a #3 jib I'd be able to get the extra knot but would be 2x more work to maintain

getting pulled around by the nose is going to want to heel the boat over creating lots of drag wanting to round you up. With the main your getting pushed more on the center axis of the boat so you don't get that drag as much

Interesting thought.. Although your picture shows you with just a spinnaker

 

[MLampner]

My take folks having dealt with all three it sends on where the wind is from relative to course. Under some conditions both with reefs works best others one or the other may be the ticket. If its coming from behind I find the Genoa is the ticket as you get close to hard on the wind both with reefs seems to work best.