sailing in stronger winds

MrBill_FLL · Feb 20, 2013

beyond the boat? (obviously the boat rig needs to be up to snuff).

being able to douse the jib, sailing without a jib, heaving to, (critical for bathroom/ drink breaks).

using the traveler, if you have one. (to dump air). running downwind and managing the roll... (without jibeing)

and, can you start the engine and make way against the surf? will the motor cavitate ?

if possible take a more experienced sailor with you...

Stu Jackson · Feb 20, 2013

reef

go upwind FIRST (Why? 'Cuz the return will be downwind and easier)

Consider sailing on only the main or only the jib for starters. Depending on where you are and where you are planning to go, the jib will get you more upwind, the main will be slower.

Make sure everything is stowed carefully. One of the worst things is going out and having noises. Not so much stuff flying around, but other noise which distracts you from your sail. Have food and drink handy. Dress proerly - wind makes wind chill.

Go for it!

Calif. Ted · Feb 20, 2013

What Stu said

and if you can get a day like last Saturday, mild Santa Anas, you can get 15 kts of breeze with NO CHOP!!:dance:

MrBill_FLL · Feb 20, 2013

I almost burned up an impeller trying to get out of a cut, on motor alone. I was down to 1 knt and still cavitating, then raised the main. (out of desperation more than anything), but that was the trick!

it settled the boat's rocking motion... enough to motor sail out at 2-3knts.

Stu Jackson · Feb 20, 2013

It usually only bounces out when you're going directly into the waves. If you visualize when you're sailing, the waves are coming at you from an angle. If possible, do the same thing with wave direction if you're only motoring. If you're going downwind, you may be lifted a bit, but nothing near like when you're motoring directly into them. And, you're right, when in doubt, slow down.

Joe · Feb 21, 2013

If you're by yourself, the main think you should do is wear a harness and tether.... and stay clipped on to the boat. Reef the main before leaving the dock.... easier to take it out because the wind drops than the other way. If your headsail is hanked on..... put up the smallest one and rig a jib downhaul... easy and inexpensive to set up.... makes life a lot easier by keeping the jib secure on deck after a controlled drop.

Always think in terms of getting the rig balanced..... don't worry about motoring.... sailing in 15kts is perfect.... chances are you won't have to reef if you understand how to depower your sails....... so.... study the trim guides and go for it... you'll love it.

Don't worry about the waves.... If they're long and smooth, it will be comfortable. If they're short and choppy, power up a bit... and steer an "S" shaped course over the crests and troughs. Have fun.

rgranger · Feb 21, 2013

Sail balance. A sailboat making 6kt through the chop has a very good feel and drives right through the waves. A sailboat that is heeled over at 30 deg. and is bouncing up and down is not so much fun. Do you have hanked on head sails or a roller head sail? If you have hanked on sails, do you have a smaller one for stronger winds? Roller reefing a head sail only works a little and then the shape of the sail doesn't give you the lift you want.

In my last boat (a MacGregor 22) I had three different size head sails. And I got quite comfortable in 20+ winds .... so long as I had two reefs in the main and the small head sail up.

Also ... if you have hanked on head sails, consider a down haul system for quickly dousing the sail.

tomgrigsby · Feb 21, 2013

Sail Trim is a big deal in higher winds. RichH posts much great information on sail trim. Go to post #23 in the link below for his recommendations regarding the boat in the picture. Read his posts on sail trim and especially try to get a good understanding of how to set the main and jib, and where to position your jib sheet fairleads for higher winds.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=148592&page=2

bffatcat · Feb 21, 2013

heavy weather sailing

Most sailors either roll up a furling jib or drop a hanked on jib when it breezes up. Becaue its easier and quicker. In my opinion this is a mistake You have to bear in mind a light breeze for a heavy deep keel boat might be considered a heavy breeze for a small light board boat. With that in mind Its always prudent to reef before things get out of hand. I have always believed in a balanced rig when possible. Always start with a reef in the main. next take a second reef. Make sure your reefing gear is properly installed and works easily After a second reef and Im talking about breezes around 25, now. If im still overpowered I completely drop the main. A boat will go up wind with just a jib a lot better than with just a main. Rolling down a jib is a last resort the sail becomes pretty ineffective. More wind than this the average boat needs heavy weather sails.

Stu Jackson · Feb 21, 2013

bffatcat: Bravo!!! Perfectly described. Thanks. Should be a textbook example for how to manage a sail plan on a masthead rig.

Stu Jackson · Feb 21, 2013

rgranger said:
Also ... if you have hanked on head sails, consider a down haul system for quickly dousing the sail.

Good advice.

Here's the downhaul idea

MrBill_FLL · Feb 21, 2013

add:
lock the swing keel, and get that main outhaul very very tight. (flat main)

mac22 (venture 22) is a iron swing keel boat.

not sure on the rudder, but normally the mac's rudders tend to round up. if you add some leading edge to the blade that usually helps.

OTOH, the rudder is a safety 'feature'.

GL!

rgranger · Feb 21, 2013

Stu

don't mean to dis your down haul but I couldn't make out the diagram.

the first one of these is a drawing I made and the second is one that I got off of this list serve.

I have not tried the second configuration yet but I really like the idea and plan to give it a try.

zeehag · Feb 21, 2013

is no fair me commenting, a si have a wonderful deep keeled heavy displacement cruiser, and we are only beginning to get going with 15 kts breezes--and 60 is a walk inthe park--but on the seidelmann i sailed gom with, we took some intense winds --sloop rigged with roller furling--we often used a small corner of that jib as our only sail...worked well, but for the weather helm. am happy mine hasnt that option built into her.

once you have become comfortable with more wind, you will love it--is a lot of fun.

Joe · Feb 21, 2013

rgranger said:
Stu

don't mean to dis your down haul but I couldn't make out the diagram.

the first one of these is a drawing I made and the second is one that I got off of this list serve.

I have not tried the second configuration yet but I really like the idea and plan to give it a try.

Your first drawing is the right idea, but I highly recommend you NOT THREAD the downhaul line through the hanks, it's unnecessary for operation, can cause jamming, and is a pain when bending on or removing the sail.... which you should always do after sailing.

Simply run the line through a block at he stemhead and tie a buntline hitch to the first or second hank up top....not the head plate grommet or shackle.... why? because if you do the line will pull the headplate down, folding it over the first hank, thus, binding it up....

No let the line run free except the block at the bottom and where it is attached to the top hank.... when the sail is up, you can tension the downhaul enough to keep it from flopping around.

I rigged my boat with the second system and found it not to my liking.....too much friction... it might work better on smaller boats... it is designed to be a reefing AND a dousing system.... but I just found it unnecessarily cumbersome for my 27 footer.

Stu Jackson · Feb 21, 2013

I agree with Joe. Don't thread.

John23883 · Feb 25, 2013

Let's simplify things

Newsailor,
You have a small lightweight boat. If it were heavy and you were more experienced, by all means sail on the jib. Because you are new, every time the boat heels quickly in a gust you will over-react.

So. First reef the main before you go out. In fact, if you THINK it's a bit windy, always reef before you go out. It is much easier to shake out a reef if it turns out you were wrong, then to put in a reef if it is too windy!

Second, leave the jib furled or off and sail on the main only. One sail is easier to handle than two if inexperienced.

The reason you want to sail on the main is because in a gust you can release the main sheet and spill the wind, keeping you from heeling past your comfort level. If you are sailing on the jib alone and the wind gusts, there is no way to spill the wind, the jib sheet is cleated and out of reach. I came around a point on jib alone and had the wind speed change dramatically and almost drive the bow under!

So, reef the main before going out and spill the wind with the main sheet. As you become more experienced and more comfortable, try other things, but not now.

kpgraci · Feb 25, 2013

rgranger said:
Stu

don't mean to dis your down haul but I couldn't make out the diagram.

the first one of these is a drawing I made and the second is one that I got off of this list serve.

I have not tried the second configuration yet but I really like the idea and plan to give it a try.

I have tried the 2nd option and the big problem I had was friction and the sail cloth getting bunched up and interfering with smooth operation. It has the appeal of tucking the jib into a nice ball that does not get blown over the side but I gave up on trying to make it work.

I currently use your first option and for my 100 and 135 it's works well.

sailing in stronger winds

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