Yesterday we were sailing in 25 to 30 knot winds for the afternoon. I reefed the main but had a difficult time keeping the rail out of the water and generally keeping the boat under control. It was too nice of day to go in. I took down the main and sailed with about half the jib unfurled, although I could of duct taped my underwear to the mast and still would be flying across the lake. Reefing the jib worked OK while reaching, but it was a rocky ride. We had lots of water spraying over the top of the boat. My question is this: is it really hard on the rigging to sail with a reefed jib? It was the only way to still stay out on the water, although I asked myself a few times "are we nuts being out here?
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Old wives tale
Sailing solely on the jib is just fine, as long as your rigging is in good condition to begin with. It's easier on the helm and easier to control otherwise. Enjoy those 25 knot winds while others wimp out!
Sailing solely on the jib is just fine, as long as your rigging is in good condition to begin with. It's easier on the helm and easier to control otherwise. Enjoy those 25 knot winds while others wimp out!
the hardest thing
Is going out with too much sail. That's what overloads everything. You tried sailing with reefed main alone, and no jib, and couldn't keep the boat under control? Usually that works best for me,
Is going out with too much sail. That's what overloads everything. You tried sailing with reefed main alone, and no jib, and couldn't keep the boat under control? Usually that works best for me,
You did the right thing
..and yes it's perfectly fine to sail under jib only. The more times you sail in high wind conditions the better you will feel and the better able to handle your boat. Pushing the envelope and learning to deal with a wider range of conditions is what practical sailing is about. The next time you experience these conditions you will know exactly how to deal with them and you will be a better sailor for it. Good for you
..and yes it's perfectly fine to sail under jib only. The more times you sail in high wind conditions the better you will feel and the better able to handle your boat. Pushing the envelope and learning to deal with a wider range of conditions is what practical sailing is about. The next time you experience these conditions you will know exactly how to deal with them and you will be a better sailor for it. Good for you
I fly the jib only
on several occasions. If I have a larger crowd on board and 15+ knot winds, it's easier for me to handle the jib alone from the helm rather than crawling over people to get to the main sheet on the cabin top. Couple weekends ago, 25+ gusts, I had the jib only out on a run and surfing hit 9.2 knots (SOG GPS) and set a new speed record for our boat. Wahooo ;D
on several occasions. If I have a larger crowd on board and 15+ knot winds, it's easier for me to handle the jib alone from the helm rather than crawling over people to get to the main sheet on the cabin top. Couple weekends ago, 25+ gusts, I had the jib only out on a run and surfing hit 9.2 knots (SOG GPS) and set a new speed record for our boat. Wahooo ;D
Main is the main thing
High wind is harder on rigging than lower winds, period. I've sailed in 50 knots but I'll admit that was stupid. Depending on reef points, reefing the main should give the best control, especially when comming about. After reefing the main, a little jib, even just a "storm jib amount", may be addedd for speed. Jib only causes excess spray and inability to come accross the wind. But that's just me.
High wind is harder on rigging than lower winds, period. I've sailed in 50 knots but I'll admit that was stupid. Depending on reef points, reefing the main should give the best control, especially when comming about. After reefing the main, a little jib, even just a "storm jib amount", may be addedd for speed. Jib only causes excess spray and inability to come accross the wind. But that's just me.
I've tried both
and I think I prefer using the jib only in winds above 10-15 knts. If there are whitecaps when I go out I usually won't take the sail cover off the main and I will use the jib only. I do find that the boat is more difficult to handle with the jib only. The rudder feels a little spongy and tacks can be tricky. With my 22 the boom is low enough to knock some noggins in the cockpit, so if I have company and the wind is up I will use jib only and everyone is happy. I recently picked up a storm jib and I really want to try that with a reefed main in 15+ knots.
and I think I prefer using the jib only in winds above 10-15 knts. If there are whitecaps when I go out I usually won't take the sail cover off the main and I will use the jib only. I do find that the boat is more difficult to handle with the jib only. The rudder feels a little spongy and tacks can be tricky. With my 22 the boom is low enough to knock some noggins in the cockpit, so if I have company and the wind is up I will use jib only and everyone is happy. I recently picked up a storm jib and I really want to try that with a reefed main in 15+ knots.
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