Sailing in heavy weather

[kpgraci]

As a new sailor I’m interested in learning more about this topic.

I sail on Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans, and the area is prone to fast developing and potentially powerful thunderstorms. It will not always be possible to avoid getting caught in one and I expect it's just a matter of time before I do.

Now I've read a bit on the subject and I think I understand the basics: Avoid heavy weather if possible. Reef early, more is better than less. Any port in a storm, find safe harbor if possible. Flatten the sails to reduce power, reduce angle of attach. Better control will be maintained on a 2 sail vessel if both sails are used (assuming reefing or a storm jib). Slight weather helm is desired, avoid lee helm.

Now I don't claim to know (without experience) my ability to achieve any of these goals, but I'm working on that.

I've also read (and here is my question) that unless you're an in tropical storm force winds, 90% of heavy weather encountered can be sailed on the desired course (keeping in mind the above points).

My question is, for a novice sailor wanting to return to port topside up, would it be better to sail on a close or broad reach in heavy weather? My reading seems to offer contradictory advice. In one article a broad reach was recommend unless the waves were fast enough to break over the transom, then the recommended correct course of action was to heave to.

Most articles, however, did not specifically say but described techniques for maintaining a close reach, bow pointed 45 degrees into the wind (and waves). This seems more intuitive and is how I was taught to handle large waves from my power boat days.

What I want is to prepare a plan of action if and when I get into this situation, and I would like to have confidence that the plan it is appropriate.

Thanks,
kpg

 

[RichH]

.... to add some more for heavy weather:
•everyone on board should wear a pfd.
•CLOSE the companioway so that if you 'take a dumper', the boat wont downflood
•Lock/close all hatches/vents/portlights.
Have a previously thought out firm plan on what to do if one of your crew does go overboard. Dont wait until someone actually does overboard to begin making such a plan.

 

[Drew13440]

In an O'Day 22, if you even THINK you are going to get caught in a thunderstorm, get all sail down immediately. You will likely experience gusts of 40 knots or more and your little boat can't handle it! Depending where you are, you can either A) Anchor the boat (best option) go below and have a beer, or B) start your engine and keep the bow into the wind as best you can. You will get very wet, but you'll dry out, eventually.

Avoidance is best, but these honkers can sneak up on you sometimes. Best of luck.

 

[Sandy Stone]

Lake Pontchartrain storms

Rich and Drew give very good advice. Years ago I owned a Paceship 23, which is pretty similar to an O'Day 22. I think you'll find that if you're really caught out in a bad one, with big lake chop, the prop will be out of the water half the time, making it difficult to make any headway. At least try to get on the tack that puts the motor on the low side. If you're anywhere near the seawall or the causeway, have the anchor ready to go. In other words, have the rode led through the bow chock and back to the cockpit outside the lifelines, with the anchor in the cockpit ready to go over the side.

If it looks like one is coming (lots of whitecaps upwind) immediately drop the jib and secure it so it won't get loose during the squall and try to climb the forestay or go in the water. If you have time and crew available, you might try going to the second reef on the main to try and feather upwind, otherwise drop it and secure it. Don't even think about trying to sail downwind due to the possibility of an accidental jibe.

As far as one sneaking up on you, it doesn't sound like that would be possible, but on a hazy summer day they really can surprise you. Pay close attention if you hear distant thunder or if the haze starts to look a little darker in one direction. Sorry, there's nothing good I can tell you about lightning. Just make sure your mast is grounded.

The first time you get caught in a real squall, it's going to seem like the end of the world, I mean one of those "What the @#$% am I doing out here" moments. Just remember that as long as you keep everybody on board and the boat away from anything hard, it is astonishing just what the boat can take. Then after 15 or 20 minutes (it will seem like hours) the sun will come out, the wind and waves go down, and you will be left wondering if it wasn't all just a figment of your imagination.

 

[tommays]

20' 50' it does not matter if you get a big sudden storm and dont get enough sail down you will have problems

 

[druid]

.... to add some more for heavy weather:
•everyone on board should wear a pfd.

NO! Or at least, realize a pfd is pretty much useless in those conditions - once someone is overboard he's pretty much dead. Instead, make sure everyone on deck (including in the cockpit) is wearing a HARNESS and is properly hooked in. That way, they don't go in the water in the first place.

Now, as to "heavy weather sailing" (a thunderstorm is a special case, since it comes up fast, doesn't last long, and wind is VERY gusty and comes from all directions): A sailboat is far more stable with some sail up. For "survival" conditions I'd keep a heavily-reefed main up (drop the headsail and lash it down or take it off). Motoring will be difficult at best. I've had conditions where the engine was not strong enough to get the boat headed into the wind without help from a sail.

I don't like sailing downwind in heavy air - it feels too much "out of control". I'd prefer to take the waves at about 45 degrees. The main will help with this - it "weathercocks" the boat into the wind, and will give some drive to help the motor. If you do want to go downwind, drop all sails and go "bare poles".

But for a thunderstorm, it's a matter of waiting it out, rather than having to go somewhere. Just keep the boat stable until it blows over.

druid

 

[RichH]

druid .....

have you ever been on a boat with four or five people that are ALL wearing harnesses attached to jacklines? Do you know what a 'maypole' is?

kpgraci is sailing an ODay 22, not a maxi-boat.

 

[higgs]

One problem with leaving the main up is that T storm winds can change quickly and if you are overpowered with a main, you may not be able to get it down especially if winds go into the 60 kt range. Went through a storm like that on L Michigan. We choose bare poles as the storm looked terrible coming in, while another boat left the main up. He couldn't get it down and while he survived OK his main did not. Personally, i don't like the idea of dealing with an out of control main in 60 kts. If it stays under that, you probably would be OK with a main.

In another storm, which did not look to be the 60kt type we left up only a storm jib and kept our course going downwind. Very nice sailing in big seas and winds up to 40. One thing about a jib, if you let the sheets go the sail won't heel you over and you won't have to go up on deck to douse it until it is safe to do so.

No sails is best if you have room to drift.

 

[RECESS]

Do you have a netflix account? I have watched many sailing videos both on instant view and sent away on DVD que.

There are three that cover some techniques rather well.

Sailing in Heavy Weather it is filmed on a larger boat but the principles and techniques are the same.

The Shape of Speed - it is about sail trim but it also goes over this aspect in heavy weather.

Basics of Sailing with Penny Whiting - a general sailing video but very well done.

I like reading about this things but I am a very visual person and seeing it done works better for me. I have watched them more times than my wife would like.

 

[zeehag]

ponchartrain is a shallow water body of water--makes seas that are huge and boxy--steep--is best to keep bow pointed iinto it--or get out of the seas...find a sheltering bit and anchor behind it until the squall is finished then sail more. we sailed thru them in gulf , but we werent 22 ft.....the deep water is best for heavy weather sailing as the seas are less steep and there is room to maneuver--but in your case, i would try to find somewhere in shelter from wind and seas and anchor for a bit until they are done with you....the winds in those t-storms gets to 70 kts--lol is a bit much for a tiny sloop.. best thing for you guys to do as newbies, is to get into home safe port before the storms hit---

 

[kpgraci]

Thanks for the replies so far, anyone else with advice I will be glad to have it.

Well, not unlike my readings there are some differing opinions here, but enough commonality for me to make a plan.

With this boat and at this point in my sailing career and I would say:

Avoid of course, but if avoidance is not possible:

1. PFDs all around, secure the hatches.
2. Lower and secure the Jib
3. Heavily reef the main, if it looks to get really bad, lower it altoghther.
4. Prepare the anchor for a quick deployment.
4. Start the engine, mine's on on the starboard side, so a port tack to keep the prop wet.
6. If its too difficult to control or the boat is being blown into danger, Lower the main, throw out the anchor, and go below.

 

[Drew13440]

Keep in mind that when it hits, it's too late to do much of anything except pray, which you will assuredly do, like guys in foxholes. I would not include trying to "sail" a light, 22-footer in my T-storm plan.

 

[zeehag]

make sure the anchor doesnt drag also....lol very important if going below--do an anchor wartch -keeping as dry as possible....

 

[Everett]

My 2 cents: Prepare for the worst before you set out. Make sure any thing you might
need is easily accessable (without tripping over it). I sail single hand often and have had
my share of scary. One thing going wrong is workable; two things difficult; three things
fatal. A forward hatch slamming down on the head sail sheet could be the end of it all
if you are in high winds and trying to reef. Practice reefing your main as that is often
your first/best option. On a nice day three things can go wrong with no ill effects but there is always that one blowing over the hill. Don't mean to be chicken little but as they
say: stuff happens.
Everett

 

[druid]

druid .....

have you ever been on a boat with four or five people that are ALL wearing harnesses attached to jacklines? Do you know what a 'maypole' is?

kpgraci is sailing an ODay 22, not a maxi-boat.

Actually, I've DANCED a may-pole...

My comments stand. Safe is ON the boat. If you can't hook in, go below. And yes, he's sailing an O'day22, which means maybe 2 of those 5 people are moving around sailing the boat, the rest are just sitting there. No tangled tethers.

druid

 

[sailaway78]

Lake P

Lake P is big and shallow. In a typical thunderstorm it can get real nasty real quick. You will not experience extremely large seas, but they will be very steep and close together. It is not totally uncommon to get 40 to 60 knot winds in some of them, but usually for a short time. Until you get more experience and a much better feeling for how your boat handles, I would strongly recommend that you drop the sails if you see one coming at you. Keep the radio on at all times, usually you will have some warning. And if it gets cooler real quick, and then dead calm, get ready to get your butt kicked.

 

[higgs]

Drop the sails if you have sea room. If you don't have sea room, I go with as small a jib as you can control because of reasons I stated earlier. The ODay 22 can handle Lake P if handled in a reasonable fashion. My biggest worry would being blown onto a rocky shore. Otherwise, drop sail and ride it out - the boat will take it no problem.

 

[Ross]

Drop the sails if you have sea room. If you don't have sea room, I go with as small a jib as you can control because of reasons I stated earlier. The ODay 22 can handle Lake P if handled in a reasonable fashion. My biggest worry would being blown onto a rocky shore. Otherwise, drop sail and ride it out - the boat will take it no problem.

I don't think that a rocky shore on lake P will ever be a big problem.

 

[higgs]

I used to have an O'Day 20 and as i recall the boat did not sail well under main alone. That is one thing to find out - how does your boat handle under main alone and under jib alone.

 

[Sailm8]

Wear a swim mask. With wind driven rain and spray I find it hard to see. The mask helps. I once used a snorkel there was so much water blowing around.