How hard does the wind have to be blowing before you decide not to go out on the water? When the big winds blow, do you go out for a yee-hah? Do you see this as a time to grow your sailing skills, in preparation for that day when you're caught in a real bow? Or do you think that discretion is the better part of valor, and it's foolish to endanger your boat and crew in high winds? Share your views here, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden from an idea by Peggie Hall)
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Too windy?
When is it too windy? Well, that depends on what you are planning. If you have non-sailing friends along for a daysail, you may want to draw the line at 15knots. If you are passage-making, about 25 is where it stops being fun. We've made a number of passages (over 500 miles) in near-gale conditions (not beating) and we made really good time - but it really wasn't much fun. As an example, we made a crossing from Vanuatu to Australia (Coral Sea) that had us broadreaching in winds of 25 gusting to low 30s. We put three 200-mile days together, back to back. With a double-reefed main and the full 130 jib, the boat was doing a pretty steady 9.5 knots. While it was exhilerating sailing, it was also very tiring. It was very difficult to sleep due to the noise and the motion. A few hours is one thing; a few days is another matter entirely. The vibration causes a lot of wear and tear on the vessel, also. On that particular passage, the jib halyard and the Dutchman topping lift parted. At the time, we did not have a hard vang, which prevented us from doing much of anything with the main, up or down. 15 knots against you can be about all you want to beat into; 15 behind you can be boring. Again, how long are you going to be doing it? A day beating against 20-25 in the Sea of Cortez can be a lot of fun - but the ability to find shelter for the night is priceless.
When is it too windy? Well, that depends on what you are planning. If you have non-sailing friends along for a daysail, you may want to draw the line at 15knots. If you are passage-making, about 25 is where it stops being fun. We've made a number of passages (over 500 miles) in near-gale conditions (not beating) and we made really good time - but it really wasn't much fun. As an example, we made a crossing from Vanuatu to Australia (Coral Sea) that had us broadreaching in winds of 25 gusting to low 30s. We put three 200-mile days together, back to back. With a double-reefed main and the full 130 jib, the boat was doing a pretty steady 9.5 knots. While it was exhilerating sailing, it was also very tiring. It was very difficult to sleep due to the noise and the motion. A few hours is one thing; a few days is another matter entirely. The vibration causes a lot of wear and tear on the vessel, also. On that particular passage, the jib halyard and the Dutchman topping lift parted. At the time, we did not have a hard vang, which prevented us from doing much of anything with the main, up or down. 15 knots against you can be about all you want to beat into; 15 behind you can be boring. Again, how long are you going to be doing it? A day beating against 20-25 in the Sea of Cortez can be a lot of fun - but the ability to find shelter for the night is priceless.
Good practice for bad weather
25 gusting to 30 offers good foul weather practice. We seldom see wind that strong here so when we do, we go for a short sail to practice reefing and develope our skills.
25 gusting to 30 offers good foul weather practice. We seldom see wind that strong here so when we do, we go for a short sail to practice reefing and develope our skills.
depends
depends on weather you have to get somewhere.Depends on weather you have a race or cruise ship.depends on how much energy the crew has!!!!!!
depends on weather you have to get somewhere.Depends on weather you have a race or cruise ship.depends on how much energy the crew has!!!!!!
If you're waiting for days with less than 20 knots of wind in Corpus Christi, you'll never go sailing. But the 212 is over powered in winds >25 knots and the constant gusts here (+/- 6-10 knots) make trimming the sails an educational experience.
Good wind
When the wind blow more than 30 Knots, I will stay home for sure. Between 25 to 30, It will depend on my crew. If they fill O.K., I will go, if not I will stay home. Under 25, I normaly go out on the water, except if they expect rain or thunderstorm.
When the wind blow more than 30 Knots, I will stay home for sure. Between 25 to 30, It will depend on my crew. If they fill O.K., I will go, if not I will stay home. Under 25, I normaly go out on the water, except if they expect rain or thunderstorm.
Not with Huracane
I have sailed in very strong winds 8 miles offshore sea in the Pacific Ocean of southern Nicaragua, close to Costarican waters, I have also sailed in storming conditions in the Nicaraguan Lake, for the las year I have had my boat on the water docked at my summer House in the beatiful Laguna the Apoyo which is a little over 5 miles wide with a circular shape. Thats where the picture was taken.
I have sailed in very strong winds 8 miles offshore sea in the Pacific Ocean of southern Nicaragua, close to Costarican waters, I have also sailed in storming conditions in the Nicaraguan Lake, for the las year I have had my boat on the water docked at my summer House in the beatiful Laguna the Apoyo which is a little over 5 miles wide with a circular shape. Thats where the picture was taken.
Attachments
It's a crew experience thing
If it's me and my sailing partner of 35 years, we'll take on anything up to 30 knots, but that also depends on what the seas are doing. I once rode out a screaming nor'easter (full gale) at anchor rather than try to run for home with a crew including two children under 10. Everything is relative. Generally speaking, a pleasant day sail doesn't involve winds of more than 25 knots, or seas of more than 3 feet, but there are times when reefing down the main, lashing down everything in the cabin, donning the foul weather gear, and just sailing hell-bent for leather is exactly what the soul requires.
If it's me and my sailing partner of 35 years, we'll take on anything up to 30 knots, but that also depends on what the seas are doing. I once rode out a screaming nor'easter (full gale) at anchor rather than try to run for home with a crew including two children under 10. Everything is relative. Generally speaking, a pleasant day sail doesn't involve winds of more than 25 knots, or seas of more than 3 feet, but there are times when reefing down the main, lashing down everything in the cabin, donning the foul weather gear, and just sailing hell-bent for leather is exactly what the soul requires.
Go For It - Maybe
Conditions and crew do make the difference. It is an opportunity to practice skills and test crew. Reefing on the Chesapeake is a rare opporunity - so take it. Usually nothing more than 25 knot winds and 3 to 5 foot seas. My Hunter handles it well. Last Saturday we had gusts up to 30 knots and it was a roller coaster. Glad I went out.
Conditions and crew do make the difference. It is an opportunity to practice skills and test crew. Reefing on the Chesapeake is a rare opporunity - so take it. Usually nothing more than 25 knot winds and 3 to 5 foot seas. My Hunter handles it well. Last Saturday we had gusts up to 30 knots and it was a roller coaster. Glad I went out.
I Watch the Weather
I watch the weather very carefully before going out. If it looks like there will be storms coming through (the mid-Chesapeake area), I don't go out. When the Volvo racers were in the Bay, we had a narrow window when we were able to go out. I don't like getting caught in nasty stuff if I can avoid it.
I watch the weather very carefully before going out. If it looks like there will be storms coming through (the mid-Chesapeake area), I don't go out. When the Volvo racers were in the Bay, we had a narrow window when we were able to go out. I don't like getting caught in nasty stuff if I can avoid it.
Direction is as important as speed
Had a super sail down Hawk Channel from Key Biscayne to Marathon in NE winds to 27 knots. If we had been going from Marathon would have stayed put in those winds. By contrast, we spent a week in Spanish Wells (just above Eluthera in the Bahamas) waiting out a front that blew mostly 15-20 before departing for the Abaco. Where it's coming from is as important as how hard it's blowing. Like last week's poll about rainy days, my answers may not match the choices we get to select from: there was no way to indicate that on rainy days we often just sail on. Carl Reitz WINDROSE, h40 #217
Had a super sail down Hawk Channel from Key Biscayne to Marathon in NE winds to 27 knots. If we had been going from Marathon would have stayed put in those winds. By contrast, we spent a week in Spanish Wells (just above Eluthera in the Bahamas) waiting out a front that blew mostly 15-20 before departing for the Abaco. Where it's coming from is as important as how hard it's blowing. Like last week's poll about rainy days, my answers may not match the choices we get to select from: there was no way to indicate that on rainy days we often just sail on. Carl Reitz WINDROSE, h40 #217
Wooo Hooo!
Its funny that this came up. Just Saturday We went out sailing. The wind was stronger than the 15mph expected, but what a great day for sailing! Its strange we were the only sailboat on the water with our sails up. We would pass other boats with their sails down, they would try to unfurl and as soon as the boat started to heal down the sails came. I dont know if I'm crazy or stupid but I like to get my boat over as far as I can and hold it there. My boat is no stranger to 40 to 50 deg. Small craft warning you say. I say lets go sailing!
Its funny that this came up. Just Saturday We went out sailing. The wind was stronger than the 15mph expected, but what a great day for sailing! Its strange we were the only sailboat on the water with our sails up. We would pass other boats with their sails down, they would try to unfurl and as soon as the boat started to heal down the sails came. I dont know if I'm crazy or stupid but I like to get my boat over as far as I can and hold it there. My boat is no stranger to 40 to 50 deg. Small craft warning you say. I say lets go sailing!
The more the merrier!
While it depends on the direction, on our lake any direction works. Yahoo!!
While it depends on the direction, on our lake any direction works. Yahoo!!
Think about the Dangers
Over 700 people Died in Boating accidents last year on the water. 95% of those were form drowning. I worked in weather at the weather channel for a few years as an on-camera-met. and have learned that the thrill of sailing in high winds must not take the place of saftey of your crew or others on the water with you. When you have lake adv's or small craft adv's for high or rough seas, play it safe, if not for you,then for others and always check the weather or boat and beach reports, and safe sailing skipper.
Over 700 people Died in Boating accidents last year on the water. 95% of those were form drowning. I worked in weather at the weather channel for a few years as an on-camera-met. and have learned that the thrill of sailing in high winds must not take the place of saftey of your crew or others on the water with you. When you have lake adv's or small craft adv's for high or rough seas, play it safe, if not for you,then for others and always check the weather or boat and beach reports, and safe sailing skipper.
Depends
Tough survey question because of the variables. Who is your Crew? Do you have crew, or singlehanded? What direction is the wind? On Lake Michigan the wind direction just as important as the speed. A 20 knot north-east can pile the water up pretty good, but 20 knot from the west can be a blast!
Tough survey question because of the variables. Who is your Crew? Do you have crew, or singlehanded? What direction is the wind? On Lake Michigan the wind direction just as important as the speed. A 20 knot north-east can pile the water up pretty good, but 20 knot from the west can be a blast!
High winds bye buy equipment
I have gone out on many occasion in winds over 25 knots. It indeed is very thrilling and I learned alot about myself and my boat and sailing for that matter. However, I also had to repalce some parts and make repairs to my sails. I single sail 99.99% of the time so I check my boat over very carefully after a day of high winds before taking off to the boat ramp for haul out. I have found that while high winds for me are at about 25-30 knots I choose to stay in at anything above 20knots now and save my self the bumps and bruises and the money for another day.
I have gone out on many occasion in winds over 25 knots. It indeed is very thrilling and I learned alot about myself and my boat and sailing for that matter. However, I also had to repalce some parts and make repairs to my sails. I single sail 99.99% of the time so I check my boat over very carefully after a day of high winds before taking off to the boat ramp for haul out. I have found that while high winds for me are at about 25-30 knots I choose to stay in at anything above 20knots now and save my self the bumps and bruises and the money for another day.
Not foolish
It's not foolish to go out in a good breeze. Don't go out in a breeze above you sailing ability. In a good breeze using reefing in both jib and mainsail, traveler, you can keep the boat flat and have a hoot. yee-hah. I was out in a breeze to 24 knots this past weekend on my H-306 and never had to reef the main or jib. Just using good control with mainsheet and traveler allowed us to point higher and keep the boat flatter then other vessels that were sailing with reef mainsails.
It's not foolish to go out in a good breeze. Don't go out in a breeze above you sailing ability. In a good breeze using reefing in both jib and mainsail, traveler, you can keep the boat flat and have a hoot. yee-hah. I was out in a breeze to 24 knots this past weekend on my H-306 and never had to reef the main or jib. Just using good control with mainsheet and traveler allowed us to point higher and keep the boat flatter then other vessels that were sailing with reef mainsails.
Condition of sea is important
I agree with most posts that indicate that with winds above 25 knots the sailing becomes more work than pleasure. I find the biggest challenge is the sea state and not the wind. One can always reef down to keep the boat upright and moving but the size, shape, and frequency of the seas can either make the experience of high wind thrilling or intolerable. I'll take high wind over rough seas any day, unfortunately, the two seem to go together out in the ocean.
I agree with most posts that indicate that with winds above 25 knots the sailing becomes more work than pleasure. I find the biggest challenge is the sea state and not the wind. One can always reef down to keep the boat upright and moving but the size, shape, and frequency of the seas can either make the experience of high wind thrilling or intolerable. I'll take high wind over rough seas any day, unfortunately, the two seem to go together out in the ocean.
windy
I'll go day sailing in winds up to 25 knots with one reef in my main and a partially furled jib. It rarely blows harder than that in southern Calif.
I'll go day sailing in winds up to 25 knots with one reef in my main and a partially furled jib. It rarely blows harder than that in southern Calif.
Lesson learned
I like going out for a yee haw...I discovered one rule of thumb...Point Roberts is a well protected marina...if you crack a beer on the dock...and the wind whistles very loudly through the neck..it is probably a 30 knot wind..and that is too much!
I like going out for a yee haw...I discovered one rule of thumb...Point Roberts is a well protected marina...if you crack a beer on the dock...and the wind whistles very loudly through the neck..it is probably a 30 knot wind..and that is too much!
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