I am a beginner in sailing... I motored my 26' sailboat with sail down to try to fish... (don't like the hassle with sail when fishing) But even 1-foot waves generate by commerecial ships 500 feet away can make my boat shake pretty violently... Is it normal? If I put on mainsail, will it make the stability better or worse? Thank you!
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Waves
Craig, You'll find that the boat will rock and roll a bit if you take a wave broadside. So, steering into the wave, bow first, will result in a more stable boat. Tray it.
Craig, You'll find that the boat will rock and roll a bit if you take a wave broadside. So, steering into the wave, bow first, will result in a more stable boat. Tray it.
Stabilty w/sails down
I don't know what kind of boat u have, is it a sailboat, or motorsailor? If it's a sailboat then most sailors leave the mainsail up even while motoring, it keeps the boat stable. If you want to relax and fish, try heaving to. Head up into the wind (not directly, as tho u were actually going somewhere). Tack (slowly) as u normally would, but don't release the jib. The boat will come to a stop because the sails are opposing. Then move the rudder all the way over slowly and lock it there. If the bow falls off the wind reduce (let out) the jib slightly. If the bow heads up, reduce the main. When the boat holds it's position, it is simply drifting calmly and should remain stable just as if you were sailing. Now u can fish or have lunch with hands off. A 26 foot boat will drift with the current so make sure you aren't drifting towards land. To go again, simply release the jib and rudder.
I don't know what kind of boat u have, is it a sailboat, or motorsailor? If it's a sailboat then most sailors leave the mainsail up even while motoring, it keeps the boat stable. If you want to relax and fish, try heaving to. Head up into the wind (not directly, as tho u were actually going somewhere). Tack (slowly) as u normally would, but don't release the jib. The boat will come to a stop because the sails are opposing. Then move the rudder all the way over slowly and lock it there. If the bow falls off the wind reduce (let out) the jib slightly. If the bow heads up, reduce the main. When the boat holds it's position, it is simply drifting calmly and should remain stable just as if you were sailing. Now u can fish or have lunch with hands off. A 26 foot boat will drift with the current so make sure you aren't drifting towards land. To go again, simply release the jib and rudder.
The boat was vibrating with waves
It went up and down with waves. But what made me feel really uncomfortable was the lateral dangling like a pendulum (especially for waves coming from sides). Felt like I was going to be thrown into the ocean on the cockpit and things inside cabin got messed up. If the boat is powered by mainsail, will it get more stabilized? thanks!
It went up and down with waves. But what made me feel really uncomfortable was the lateral dangling like a pendulum (especially for waves coming from sides). Felt like I was going to be thrown into the ocean on the cockpit and things inside cabin got messed up. If the boat is powered by mainsail, will it get more stabilized? thanks!
If its not too windy
You can put the mainsail up, and keep it centered. This will keep some wind pressure on the boat, and you'll get a constant slight heel. If it's windy however, this will get you blown over!
You can put the mainsail up, and keep it centered. This will keep some wind pressure on the boat, and you'll get a constant slight heel. If it's windy however, this will get you blown over!
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