What's the strongest wind you've sailed in? Did you go out on purpose in this wind or get caught in an unexpected blow? Where were you at the time? What kind of sail configuration did you use? Did you continue with your sailing plans or head for the nearest harbor? When it was all over, was your reaction 'never again' or 'yee-hah?' Share your wind stories here then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Kenneth Pfaff
35 to 40 knots
We were out on the water when a thunderstorm blew through. So we furled the sails and headed back to the marina. So when the strongest winds hit we were under power, so I don't know if this counts.
We were out on the water when a thunderstorm blew through. So we furled the sails and headed back to the marina. So when the strongest winds hit we were under power, so I don't know if this counts.
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BILL ROBB
NOT BY CHOICE!
Anybody who sails a lot is - sooner or later - going to get caught in a squall. While we "survived" it - I would say it did a good job of teaching me respect for the power of the "sea." My advice - if you know it's coming - be ready for it! Bill on STARGAZER
Anybody who sails a lot is - sooner or later - going to get caught in a squall. While we "survived" it - I would say it did a good job of teaching me respect for the power of the "sea." My advice - if you know it's coming - be ready for it! Bill on STARGAZER
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Tim Leighton
MY EXPERIENCE
We've "sailed" our Hunter 31 in sustained winds as high as 45 knots (actual not apparent). This was downwind with double reef and severly reefed jib in 6-8' seas on the Chesapeake Bay. I've seen 80 knots in a micro-burst just as we were nearing the entrance to a marina on the York River (may have been more but by that time I was too busy to look at the AWI!!). Tried, but just couldn't coax enough speed to get to the anchorage before the weather hit and finally decided we'd rather face the storm in the river than in a narrow channel entrance. Luckily, we saw the gust front approaching (and were warned by the Nat'l Weather office) and had the main down/covered, and jib rolled up. Even so, the jib partly unfulled in the wind and flogging destroyed a good part of the leech and foot. Most interesting thing was that we found we couldn't hold the bow into the wind when the speed exceeded 60 knots. Finally gave up and turned to present the stern to the wind and put the engine in slow reverse to keep the boat from sliding too far downwind and toward a lee shore. Several other boats in the vicinity were severly damaged by this slow moving gust front and micro-burst. The experience only strengthened my resolve to be even better prepared for severe weather and continue enjoying sailing. Tim L.
We've "sailed" our Hunter 31 in sustained winds as high as 45 knots (actual not apparent). This was downwind with double reef and severly reefed jib in 6-8' seas on the Chesapeake Bay. I've seen 80 knots in a micro-burst just as we were nearing the entrance to a marina on the York River (may have been more but by that time I was too busy to look at the AWI!!). Tried, but just couldn't coax enough speed to get to the anchorage before the weather hit and finally decided we'd rather face the storm in the river than in a narrow channel entrance. Luckily, we saw the gust front approaching (and were warned by the Nat'l Weather office) and had the main down/covered, and jib rolled up. Even so, the jib partly unfulled in the wind and flogging destroyed a good part of the leech and foot. Most interesting thing was that we found we couldn't hold the bow into the wind when the speed exceeded 60 knots. Finally gave up and turned to present the stern to the wind and put the engine in slow reverse to keep the boat from sliding too far downwind and toward a lee shore. Several other boats in the vicinity were severly damaged by this slow moving gust front and micro-burst. The experience only strengthened my resolve to be even better prepared for severe weather and continue enjoying sailing. Tim L.
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Jason Roznos
I sail a 19' Macgregor powersail, " baby 26x" in Sarasota bay. The stronger the wind the better! We reef and let out a small amount of head sail and hang on! With the keel down 1/4 of the way and full ballast the boat is stable in 30kts and very fun. Strong gusts will make the boat point up before a knock down. Boatspeed has been over 9kts on a reach.
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Emile
Catalina 22 - wing Keel 1988 model
Strongest wind was 40 mph, Sailed with 1 reef in the main, no job and traveller all the way down. Boat behaved well, although we had to ease the mainsheet to let the gusts pass. It is also possible to use the jib alone, but tacking is almost impossible. Gybing works better when using the jib only.
Strongest wind was 40 mph, Sailed with 1 reef in the main, no job and traveller all the way down. Boat behaved well, although we had to ease the mainsheet to let the gusts pass. It is also possible to use the jib alone, but tacking is almost impossible. Gybing works better when using the jib only.
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Dan Gallagher
Not a good day!!!!!
Not a good day for going out. The winds were only at 15 to 20 knots and we just got out of the intercoastal into the Gulf of Mexico and were really enjoying the ride, when we experienced a Hat overboard. Being it was a special hat that my wife was given when she made her first skydive, I decided to practice man overboard routine to recove her most beloved possesion. As we did out turn, the wind took a heavy gust and ripped the main sail in half mid way up. Well, at that time we knew the day was over for sailing and since we could see the inlet from our location, we immediatly dropped sail and motored back home. Needless to say, we lost the hat, the sail, a good day of sailing, and when we returned home, our football team had also took a dump. Our day was not a "YeeHah" but neither was it a "Never again"! It was in fact a very expensive day of learning.
Not a good day for going out. The winds were only at 15 to 20 knots and we just got out of the intercoastal into the Gulf of Mexico and were really enjoying the ride, when we experienced a Hat overboard. Being it was a special hat that my wife was given when she made her first skydive, I decided to practice man overboard routine to recove her most beloved possesion. As we did out turn, the wind took a heavy gust and ripped the main sail in half mid way up. Well, at that time we knew the day was over for sailing and since we could see the inlet from our location, we immediatly dropped sail and motored back home. Needless to say, we lost the hat, the sail, a good day of sailing, and when we returned home, our football team had also took a dump. Our day was not a "YeeHah" but neither was it a "Never again"! It was in fact a very expensive day of learning.
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James Swain
Winds
We've had a steady 18 knots over the summer. Winds off the bow at about 35 degrees Had 1 reef in the main and a full 150 jib. Heeled 15 to 20 degrees and was just flying!!
We've had a steady 18 knots over the summer. Winds off the bow at about 35 degrees Had 1 reef in the main and a full 150 jib. Heeled 15 to 20 degrees and was just flying!!
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Jack
Windy tub
My 14 yrold son and I went out Oct 8 in the bay while the winds were blowing a sustained 30-35 mph. We reefed the main and had the working jib up. It was wild. We sailed sideways all afternoon. Even with the main reefed, we still had it hanging way out on windward runs. It was great getting wet and standing on the sides. Definitly Yee-Haaa!
My 14 yrold son and I went out Oct 8 in the bay while the winds were blowing a sustained 30-35 mph. We reefed the main and had the working jib up. It was wild. We sailed sideways all afternoon. Even with the main reefed, we still had it hanging way out on windward runs. It was great getting wet and standing on the sides. Definitly Yee-Haaa!
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Sean Ley
Lake Michigan Gale
My first boat was a Coronado 25 which I owned with a partner who was also a private pilot. We deliberately took the boat into a 45 knot southerly gale on Lake Michigan to see what would happen. This was October, 1980, out of the White Lake Channel north of Muskegon, Michigan. With a little boost from some Peppermint Schnapps, and the boat totally buttoned up, the biggest wave I ever saw met us at the end of the channel. I closed my eyes - and then, with hardly a bump at all, we were in it. Green water, green color everywhere. The boat sailed very well but in very jerky, quick motions as there was so much pressure on everything. We stayed out about 1/2 hour, did a triangular course, and made our two turns to starboard with great care. The roughest was on the way in with a following sea - steering was very tricky, and I had to aim for a narrow breakwall entrance. Asked if I felt confident by my partner, I said yes, and we made it. But be aware that it's running before the wind, or even on a broad quarter, that will really get you in trouble in a storm. That's why you hear stories about streaming warps, which would have helped us, but then again, I couldn't risk getting the warp tangled up on rocks near the entrance. It was just really tenuous steering. And...OK, it was a "yee-hah" experience, but to be taken with much caution. Another time, I got caught briefly in a gale with the mast off, putting the boat away for the winter, crossing Little Traverse Bay, and I'll never do that again.
My first boat was a Coronado 25 which I owned with a partner who was also a private pilot. We deliberately took the boat into a 45 knot southerly gale on Lake Michigan to see what would happen. This was October, 1980, out of the White Lake Channel north of Muskegon, Michigan. With a little boost from some Peppermint Schnapps, and the boat totally buttoned up, the biggest wave I ever saw met us at the end of the channel. I closed my eyes - and then, with hardly a bump at all, we were in it. Green water, green color everywhere. The boat sailed very well but in very jerky, quick motions as there was so much pressure on everything. We stayed out about 1/2 hour, did a triangular course, and made our two turns to starboard with great care. The roughest was on the way in with a following sea - steering was very tricky, and I had to aim for a narrow breakwall entrance. Asked if I felt confident by my partner, I said yes, and we made it. But be aware that it's running before the wind, or even on a broad quarter, that will really get you in trouble in a storm. That's why you hear stories about streaming warps, which would have helped us, but then again, I couldn't risk getting the warp tangled up on rocks near the entrance. It was just really tenuous steering. And...OK, it was a "yee-hah" experience, but to be taken with much caution. Another time, I got caught briefly in a gale with the mast off, putting the boat away for the winter, crossing Little Traverse Bay, and I'll never do that again.
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Rob
St Augustine Race
What's the strongest wind you've sailed in? About 40 mph gusts, thunderstorm Did you go out on purpose in this wind or get caught in an unexpected blow? It was the start of a race to St. Augustine. Saw it coming, but did not roller reef jib soon enough. Where were you at the time? Outside Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna What kind of sail configuration did you use? Too much jib, too much main. Did you continue with your sailing plans or head for the nearest harbor? Could not get the jib in on roller, eventually got main down, kept going. When it was all over, was your reaction 'never again' or 'yee-hah?' yeehah Share your wind stories here then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
What's the strongest wind you've sailed in? About 40 mph gusts, thunderstorm Did you go out on purpose in this wind or get caught in an unexpected blow? It was the start of a race to St. Augustine. Saw it coming, but did not roller reef jib soon enough. Where were you at the time? Outside Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna What kind of sail configuration did you use? Too much jib, too much main. Did you continue with your sailing plans or head for the nearest harbor? Could not get the jib in on roller, eventually got main down, kept going. When it was all over, was your reaction 'never again' or 'yee-hah?' yeehah Share your wind stories here then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Larry G Turner
Almost Made a BIG Mistake
While bringing our new (to us) 74 Catalina 27 from the broker in Annapolis to our marina in Yorktown Va., my wife and I encountered winds in the 25 knot range while running with main and 15hp engine. We didn't have Loran/GPS at the time and I failed to allow for tide - we ended further in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay than intended. We were in the main shipping lane and became more
While bringing our new (to us) 74 Catalina 27 from the broker in Annapolis to our marina in Yorktown Va., my wife and I encountered winds in the 25 knot range while running with main and 15hp engine. We didn't have Loran/GPS at the time and I failed to allow for tide - we ended further in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay than intended. We were in the main shipping lane and became more
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mark stevens
racing
This September my Yacht club held its annual handicaped big boat race for all members. With sustained winds of 25 knotts and gusts to 35. My centerboard on my oday 30 was stuck in the raised position from the start. We started with one reef in the main and the 150 genny roller furled to about 80%.The boat performed ok even with the board in the up position,however tacking to the first mark proved difficult and we could not point as high as we would have liked therefore loosing valuable time and distance on each tack. The seas were very confused with a good swell in this offshore race and after the first mark we packed it in as the lead boats were so far ahead we would have missed the party at the finish!! the winners were as usual a Saber 39, a multihull, a j-boat, a niagra 35. In all though if we had not been racing the boat handeled everything thrown at her.
This September my Yacht club held its annual handicaped big boat race for all members. With sustained winds of 25 knotts and gusts to 35. My centerboard on my oday 30 was stuck in the raised position from the start. We started with one reef in the main and the 150 genny roller furled to about 80%.The boat performed ok even with the board in the up position,however tacking to the first mark proved difficult and we could not point as high as we would have liked therefore loosing valuable time and distance on each tack. The seas were very confused with a good swell in this offshore race and after the first mark we packed it in as the lead boats were so far ahead we would have missed the party at the finish!! the winners were as usual a Saber 39, a multihull, a j-boat, a niagra 35. In all though if we had not been racing the boat handeled everything thrown at her.
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Chris
about 25 knots - H23
I went out into the Galveston Bay. I didn't realize the wind would be this strong, but by the time I was at the boat ramp, I didn't want to have to go back home! Almost put my boat on the rocks 50 ft downwind from the boat ramp. The little 4 hp kicker barely had enough power to move the boat into the wind - but NOT in reverse! Luckily, the motor spins through 360 degrees, so I managed to get the boat away from the rocks with only a few ft to spare. At full throttle in relatively smooth water I could only make about 3.5 knots.... I was under a reefed main only, doing about 5.5 knots beating to the wind, occasionally as high as 5.7 kts. I continued with my plans and sailed from Baytown to Clearlake (about 15 miles), spent the night and headed back the next day in less wind. It took me a while to feel comfortable enough to have a beer, but it was great. Spray flying halfway up the mast and soaking the main sail!!! Gave me a lot more confidence in my boat and even my (questionable) sailing skills. It was definately a "Yeee-haw!!!" experience!
I went out into the Galveston Bay. I didn't realize the wind would be this strong, but by the time I was at the boat ramp, I didn't want to have to go back home! Almost put my boat on the rocks 50 ft downwind from the boat ramp. The little 4 hp kicker barely had enough power to move the boat into the wind - but NOT in reverse! Luckily, the motor spins through 360 degrees, so I managed to get the boat away from the rocks with only a few ft to spare. At full throttle in relatively smooth water I could only make about 3.5 knots.... I was under a reefed main only, doing about 5.5 knots beating to the wind, occasionally as high as 5.7 kts. I continued with my plans and sailed from Baytown to Clearlake (about 15 miles), spent the night and headed back the next day in less wind. It took me a while to feel comfortable enough to have a beer, but it was great. Spray flying halfway up the mast and soaking the main sail!!! Gave me a lot more confidence in my boat and even my (questionable) sailing skills. It was definately a "Yeee-haw!!!" experience!
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Dick Horton
On a circumnavigation of Long Island, I was sailing IRISH ROOTS my 1977 MacGregor Venture (23 foot cutter)in Long Island Sound off Fishers Island. I started out under power from Block Island in zero wind. Wind gradually came up and then blew hard 20 - 30 knots. Seas increased and old outboard finally got dunked too many times and gave up. Got the reefed main up, then the self tending jib. The boat took off like a shot and handled great! When I got to New London Light I hove-to to wait for my friend who had continued under power. This was the first time I had hove-to under conditions like this and it was text book. The boat sat there like a rock! YeeHah! This experience gave me much greater appreciation for and confidence in my boat. If it only had a little more room in the cabin....
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Pete Ludlow
Practice
We elected to do a day sail in 35-45Kt winds on LIS. Rigged with 80% heavy weather jib on inner head stay and single reefed main, the 36 tall rig proved up to the task and offered a pleasant sail, albeit wet on reach from quartering seas. Aside from that trip we regularly sail in 25-30Kts with some trips through the race in an easterly with a ebbing tide. Lots of fun surfing down some incredible seas. A great boat!
We elected to do a day sail in 35-45Kt winds on LIS. Rigged with 80% heavy weather jib on inner head stay and single reefed main, the 36 tall rig proved up to the task and offered a pleasant sail, albeit wet on reach from quartering seas. Aside from that trip we regularly sail in 25-30Kts with some trips through the race in an easterly with a ebbing tide. Lots of fun surfing down some incredible seas. A great boat!
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Luis Rodriguez
Whoffff
I have sailed my 1995 43' Legend in 30-32 knots conditions. I typically shorten my main sail and continue until I get to my next stop. My boat has also been through Hurricane Bertha and "Georges" with no damages, berthed at Virgin Gorda Yathch Harbor and on Marina Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, PR. Great Boat!
I have sailed my 1995 43' Legend in 30-32 knots conditions. I typically shorten my main sail and continue until I get to my next stop. My boat has also been through Hurricane Bertha and "Georges" with no damages, berthed at Virgin Gorda Yathch Harbor and on Marina Puerto del Rey in Fajardo, PR. Great Boat!
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Howie Stein
40 kts
We went out with our 30' O'Day expecting 25 kts and went with just a double reefed main. The downwind leg was great but then winds built to 40 and it was time to turn around. I tried but couldn't get the boat around against the blast so we fired up the 15 hp Yanmar and dropped the sail. We still couldn't turn the boat and finally got around with sail and engine.The rest of the ride back was great. Would we do it again? Probably not by choice!
We went out with our 30' O'Day expecting 25 kts and went with just a double reefed main. The downwind leg was great but then winds built to 40 and it was time to turn around. I tried but couldn't get the boat around against the blast so we fired up the 15 hp Yanmar and dropped the sail. We still couldn't turn the boat and finally got around with sail and engine.The rest of the ride back was great. Would we do it again? Probably not by choice!
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Pete Moxon
Racing in 35-45 kts
Last month we had our annual race vs. another club in winds blowing a steady 30-35 kts with gusts to 45. Testorone level was too high for most to drop out. Results were 18 boat started and 4 finished (we won back the cup). We had 2 collisions, 2 broken booms, numerous ripped sails and one grounding. We were sailing with a double reefed main alone and were actually quite comfortable,but did need to depower some. It built my confidence that we could handle that kind of wind, but I would not do it again by choice.
Last month we had our annual race vs. another club in winds blowing a steady 30-35 kts with gusts to 45. Testorone level was too high for most to drop out. Results were 18 boat started and 4 finished (we won back the cup). We had 2 collisions, 2 broken booms, numerous ripped sails and one grounding. We were sailing with a double reefed main alone and were actually quite comfortable,but did need to depower some. It built my confidence that we could handle that kind of wind, but I would not do it again by choice.
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Daniel Jonas
Wind
Strongest wind so far was off Point Reyes a little (near the edge of the northern traffic lane). We saw 40 - 45 knots. Seas were 8-11 feet and we used the time to practice man overboard drills. Helped you realize that you never ever want to fall overboard. We went in for the evening and anchored under sail only in Drakes Bay while still blowing 35 knots. It blew 30-35 all night. Anchor watch was the command of the evening. By the way, the boat was 43', so handled all quite well. We had a reefed main and jib. We see winds inside San Francisco Bay in the summer most days over 25 knots. I've seen 35 knots inside the bay on one occasion. If we don't have to reef, we consider it a pretty calm day around here. Outside the gate it can vary greatly, and change in short order. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
Strongest wind so far was off Point Reyes a little (near the edge of the northern traffic lane). We saw 40 - 45 knots. Seas were 8-11 feet and we used the time to practice man overboard drills. Helped you realize that you never ever want to fall overboard. We went in for the evening and anchored under sail only in Drakes Bay while still blowing 35 knots. It blew 30-35 all night. Anchor watch was the command of the evening. By the way, the boat was 43', so handled all quite well. We had a reefed main and jib. We see winds inside San Francisco Bay in the summer most days over 25 knots. I've seen 35 knots inside the bay on one occasion. If we don't have to reef, we consider it a pretty calm day around here. Outside the gate it can vary greatly, and change in short order. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
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