Well, I think we learned a lesson or two yesterday. Four of us went out for a sail on Sunday. From the marina, the winds looked brisk but within reason. But, duh, the winds were WNW and we were on the western shore. Got out into the Bay proper and whoa, baby!!! 25-30, gusting over 35. (One guy at the marina claimed it was over 40, but I think his shredded jib was the cause for some slight exaggeration.) Tried sailing with the main reefed and genoa mostly furled (it's a 140), but we were still completely overpowered. - The rudder simply does NOT work when you're heeled over 40 degrees. - Two (or three) sets of reef points are mandatory in your mainsail - Make sure you have some extra turns available on the furling line. When you furl the sail while the sail is under a lot of pressure, the genoa wraps more tightly than usual and you'll hit the end of your furling line before you can get the sail fully furled. I saw several boats out there that encountered the same problem. - Jacklines and safety harnesses should be available and deployed when it looks at all rough -- you never know when you'll have to go to the bow to mess with the furler when the wind's blowing a gale - Lazy jacks would be real handy to have... - Baseball caps are not compatible with strong winds Thomas Point lighthouse data: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=tplm2
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Geof Tillotson
Thought better of it yesterday in Boston
I've been dying to get my new "old" boat out for a sail, after many issues with the marina it's finally in the water. Yesterday was a day for hanging the sails and finishing up the commissioning. We finished around 1300 and then considered going for a sail. The boats that left earlier had all returned pretty quickly, a few with the crew all in life jackets and jack lines rigged etc. So I exercised disgression and went to see my son's baseball game. Got back to the boat for a cocktail in the evening. I would say that we had a GREAT day on the boat yesterday, just can't wait to sail it! Geof
I've been dying to get my new "old" boat out for a sail, after many issues with the marina it's finally in the water. Yesterday was a day for hanging the sails and finishing up the commissioning. We finished around 1300 and then considered going for a sail. The boats that left earlier had all returned pretty quickly, a few with the crew all in life jackets and jack lines rigged etc. So I exercised disgression and went to see my son's baseball game. Got back to the boat for a cocktail in the evening. I would say that we had a GREAT day on the boat yesterday, just can't wait to sail it! Geof
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Suzanne
Doug captured yesterday very accurately. Once again, the National Weather Service underpredicted, calling for 15 knots and only changing the forecast once we were out in gusts to 36. The "Mayday" call on ch. 16 from off Chesapeake Beach was sobering -- two people still missing this morning after their small fishing boat capsized. They say sailors should deliberately go out in strong winds to build skills and experience. It was definitely a good day to put our new (bigger/46') boat through her paces and learn how the force of the wind increases the forces on lines and sails exponentially.
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Jon Jones
After a terrific day sailing on Saturday with the family, we had two non-sailor guests arrive Sunday morning. We were all looking forward to a carbon copy of Saturday, but late in the morning as we were preparing to cast off with our just arrived guests, gust of over 30 knts in the marina got me thinking twice. Would have headed out if it were not for the two guests. We decided to walk over to the beach instead and I am glad we did. We had gusts over forty on the beach.
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AL
Strong winds in Boston as well
We headed out on our H260 to the Boston Harbor and sailed with a reefed main; we averaged 6 knots (SOG). The inner harbor had steady 20 mph wind with some gusts to ~30 mph. The further we got out (past the airport) the more wind and gusts there were (20-25 mph with gust to 35 mph). After 1 h, we turned around and high tailed it back to the marina. I was impressed with how well the H260 handled the strong wind - there is nothing like sea spray flying up and thu the cockpit!! I agree wholeheartedly with Doug's four points especially about adding at least another set of reef points!
We headed out on our H260 to the Boston Harbor and sailed with a reefed main; we averaged 6 knots (SOG). The inner harbor had steady 20 mph wind with some gusts to ~30 mph. The further we got out (past the airport) the more wind and gusts there were (20-25 mph with gust to 35 mph). After 1 h, we turned around and high tailed it back to the marina. I was impressed with how well the H260 handled the strong wind - there is nothing like sea spray flying up and thu the cockpit!! I agree wholeheartedly with Doug's four points especially about adding at least another set of reef points!
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RREgge
Sunday on Narraganset Bay
Left Wickford at 9:00 for a quick sail (a 2 hour tour, a 2 hour tour) We heard the weather forecast for winds up to 20 knots, so we raised our main with a reef in even though we had less than 10 knots of wind. After 20 minutes on the bay the weather started getting rough and the tiny ship was tossed (hunter 376) as the wind went from 10 knots to 30+ knots in less than 5 minutes. If not for the courge of our fearless crew, ok its wasn't that bad, however we were caught on a close-haul with way too much sail up and gusts to 34 knots. Have never seen 45+ degrees on the inclinometer before, and no you have very little steering. We powered up the Yanmar and under lots of power kept the nose into the wind while the crew lowered the sails in record time. We had a nice motor back to our mooring and managed to get on without any problems. A 2 hour tour a 2 hour tour Now for the plus/deltas for the day. Plus 1. The boat and crew both managed the conditions without any problems, and we are better sailors for it. 2. My 8 year old daughter went down below when the weather picked up as she has been told to do. 3. My 2 sons (15 and 17) came up into the cockpit without hesitation and really pitched in. 4. My wife and I didn't panic and never showed fear to the rest of the crew. Deltas (things we need to do better) 1. Not surprised Gilligan and his friends had problems on a 3 hr tour. If we were heading out to Block Island or Nantucket we would have been better prepared, but this was only to be a 2 hour tour. The weather changed so fast and we needed to react so quickly we didn't have time for jacklines and we were caught unprepared. 2. Our hand held vhf was down below charging (we did have our normal vhf) 3. We didn't even have time to get the pfd's out of their locker and put them on. We did have throwables in the cockpit and a couple of type 2's We learned a lot about our ability to handle rough conditions and the need to prepare better before the weather hits. Russell S/V Allie Kat
Left Wickford at 9:00 for a quick sail (a 2 hour tour, a 2 hour tour) We heard the weather forecast for winds up to 20 knots, so we raised our main with a reef in even though we had less than 10 knots of wind. After 20 minutes on the bay the weather started getting rough and the tiny ship was tossed (hunter 376) as the wind went from 10 knots to 30+ knots in less than 5 minutes. If not for the courge of our fearless crew, ok its wasn't that bad, however we were caught on a close-haul with way too much sail up and gusts to 34 knots. Have never seen 45+ degrees on the inclinometer before, and no you have very little steering. We powered up the Yanmar and under lots of power kept the nose into the wind while the crew lowered the sails in record time. We had a nice motor back to our mooring and managed to get on without any problems. A 2 hour tour a 2 hour tour Now for the plus/deltas for the day. Plus 1. The boat and crew both managed the conditions without any problems, and we are better sailors for it. 2. My 8 year old daughter went down below when the weather picked up as she has been told to do. 3. My 2 sons (15 and 17) came up into the cockpit without hesitation and really pitched in. 4. My wife and I didn't panic and never showed fear to the rest of the crew. Deltas (things we need to do better) 1. Not surprised Gilligan and his friends had problems on a 3 hr tour. If we were heading out to Block Island or Nantucket we would have been better prepared, but this was only to be a 2 hour tour. The weather changed so fast and we needed to react so quickly we didn't have time for jacklines and we were caught unprepared. 2. Our hand held vhf was down below charging (we did have our normal vhf) 3. We didn't even have time to get the pfd's out of their locker and put them on. We did have throwables in the cockpit and a couple of type 2's We learned a lot about our ability to handle rough conditions and the need to prepare better before the weather hits. Russell S/V Allie Kat
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Bruce
About 5 minutes after we left the mouth of the Rppahanock we caught a huge gust of wind that ripped our main sail fromt he leech to the luff about 2-3 inches above the foot! I listed to the weather broadcast before and after going out and was pleased to hear that only 15 knot winds were expected!
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Robert Polk
Great Day
Sailed back from St Michaels and experienced the same conditions. We sailed with just the jib (110% on the 460) and the 460 seems to balance beautifully. Saw winds of 32-33 true. Boat speed always in the high 8s with a max of 9.9. Put the boat on autopilt in wind mode, sat back and enjoyed the ride. Watched a lot of other boats with reefed mains and jibs flailing around in the rough conditions. Getting the boat into the slip was a bit of a challenge, but we got her in OK.
Sailed back from St Michaels and experienced the same conditions. We sailed with just the jib (110% on the 460) and the 460 seems to balance beautifully. Saw winds of 32-33 true. Boat speed always in the high 8s with a max of 9.9. Put the boat on autopilt in wind mode, sat back and enjoyed the ride. Watched a lot of other boats with reefed mains and jibs flailing around in the rough conditions. Getting the boat into the slip was a bit of a challenge, but we got her in OK.
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Ed Schenck
Jib alone on 460.
Guess Mr. Polk's experience should put to rest some of those B&R concerns. Over 30 knots of wind with a full jib? Do you have running backstays or just normal configuration?
Guess Mr. Polk's experience should put to rest some of those B&R concerns. Over 30 knots of wind with a full jib? Do you have running backstays or just normal configuration?
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Frank Sears
Saturday was so calm
We were out in a two man Kayak in the Thomas Point area from about 10A to 1P. In the morning we saw several sailboats with their sails down. By afternoon the wind picked up and with that, all the sails went up. A great day! Sorry about Sunday. I had to work.
We were out in a two man Kayak in the Thomas Point area from about 10A to 1P. In the morning we saw several sailboats with their sails down. By afternoon the wind picked up and with that, all the sails went up. A great day! Sorry about Sunday. I had to work.
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Don
My Sunday experience on the bay
We too were coming back from St. Michaels heading for home on the West River in my 37.5. Left SM around noon. The conditions were the worst wind/wave action I have experienced on the bay except for thunderstorms, which are usually very stong but short. This ride was 6 hours! I can't imagine being out there in anything smaller. What was so bad is the weather service kept predicting 15 knot winds! I would have turned back midway if NOAA had clarified their information. It went from bad to worse as we hit the western end of the Eastern Bay and then they bay. I plowed nose first into so may waves and took so much water over the bow. For six hours, this was quite a ride. We too took all safety measures, and after this experience, I will add a few more to the list for just these very circumstances. I used a 2/3 furled genoa most of the way with the engine 2/3 wide open. I was concerned about the rigging with just the genny, but there was no opportunity to try for the mainsail. Some of the waves would completely stop the boat in place, but overall we maintained a good head of steam 5-7 knots. I was pleased with my boat and thank God the engine didn't let me down. The experience has made me decide to change the fuel filters more often. As they say, the boat will probably take more than I can, but she did sustain damage. Like others in this string, it appears that my genoa suffered heavy damange (yet to be assessed), something came through a dodger window leaving a big hole, wind generator dissentraged, and my dingy also was damaged when I had to deflate it and get it below. I had a strong drink last night when I got home and said an extra long prayer of thanks. I was still jangled this morning and backed the car into a column in my garage. First time ever. Glad all of us made it and yes, it's sobering to hear about the 2 who did not. Now, I gotta get this stuff fixed before next weekend!
We too were coming back from St. Michaels heading for home on the West River in my 37.5. Left SM around noon. The conditions were the worst wind/wave action I have experienced on the bay except for thunderstorms, which are usually very stong but short. This ride was 6 hours! I can't imagine being out there in anything smaller. What was so bad is the weather service kept predicting 15 knot winds! I would have turned back midway if NOAA had clarified their information. It went from bad to worse as we hit the western end of the Eastern Bay and then they bay. I plowed nose first into so may waves and took so much water over the bow. For six hours, this was quite a ride. We too took all safety measures, and after this experience, I will add a few more to the list for just these very circumstances. I used a 2/3 furled genoa most of the way with the engine 2/3 wide open. I was concerned about the rigging with just the genny, but there was no opportunity to try for the mainsail. Some of the waves would completely stop the boat in place, but overall we maintained a good head of steam 5-7 knots. I was pleased with my boat and thank God the engine didn't let me down. The experience has made me decide to change the fuel filters more often. As they say, the boat will probably take more than I can, but she did sustain damage. Like others in this string, it appears that my genoa suffered heavy damange (yet to be assessed), something came through a dodger window leaving a big hole, wind generator dissentraged, and my dingy also was damaged when I had to deflate it and get it below. I had a strong drink last night when I got home and said an extra long prayer of thanks. I was still jangled this morning and backed the car into a column in my garage. First time ever. Glad all of us made it and yes, it's sobering to hear about the 2 who did not. Now, I gotta get this stuff fixed before next weekend!
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Pete Staehling
Yep.
They weren't calling for that much wind, but I was suspicious since it was pretty windy at home. I figured that it was a 110 jib day. When I was motoring out of the marina, a gust that made me heel a few degrees with a bare pole told me to reef the main. I was singlehanding since my crew was at a baby shower. The 110 and a reef in the main on my C22 was just right for "spirited sailing". I had to beat to get back in and halfway back I decided I wanted to be able to relax a little more and took the jib down. The boat was pretty docile then under reefed main alone, so the remainder of the trip was pretty laid back. I lost two hats. I went back for the first one, but in spite of the fact that I passed within 6" of it, I couldn't reach it because I was heeling to far. I should have grabbed the boathook. I said the heck with it and put on my daughters hat. The second hat went over in a busy channel and I decided that it wasn't worth going back for in traffic. All in all it was a very nice sail. I did have to "face the music" when I got home and told my daughter I lost her hat. Pete
They weren't calling for that much wind, but I was suspicious since it was pretty windy at home. I figured that it was a 110 jib day. When I was motoring out of the marina, a gust that made me heel a few degrees with a bare pole told me to reef the main. I was singlehanding since my crew was at a baby shower. The 110 and a reef in the main on my C22 was just right for "spirited sailing". I had to beat to get back in and halfway back I decided I wanted to be able to relax a little more and took the jib down. The boat was pretty docile then under reefed main alone, so the remainder of the trip was pretty laid back. I lost two hats. I went back for the first one, but in spite of the fact that I passed within 6" of it, I couldn't reach it because I was heeling to far. I should have grabbed the boathook. I said the heck with it and put on my daughters hat. The second hat went over in a busy channel and I decided that it wasn't worth going back for in traffic. All in all it was a very nice sail. I did have to "face the music" when I got home and told my daughter I lost her hat. Pete
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Peter Brennan
Sunday on the Sound
Gentle breeze at the slip at 11 AM. Daughter aboard our O'Day 37 on first day of visit from England. Set the main going up the bay to the East River and Sound, wind dead on nose. On turning the corner, set the 130 jib and romped under autopilot under the Throggs Neck Bridge and into the Sound. Then: Whammoooo! We quickly roller reefed the jib to 100% and romped on out toward Stepping Stones, never heeling more than 20 degrees and ramping up to 8 knots at times going upwind. The flag at the stern is making a Godawful racket. "I am not liking this," says daughter who had never really appreciated the fact that sailboats travel on their sides. By now the wind is gusting well past 30 knots. So by Stepping Stones the Second Avenue Street Fair seems a better way to spend the rest of the day. So we come snappily about in rapidly increasing seas, run flat downwind for a moment to blanket the jib and roll it up, then reach under main alone back to the East River. But the mainsheet gets loose -- no stopper knot at the end. We retrieve it but it becomes hopelessly tangled. Nonetheless, we continue zipping toward home as the wind and seas continue to build, but it is gentlemanly sailing more or less downwind. As we near the slip we round up under power in a howling gale under a cloudless bright blue sky and wrestle the mainsail down, then make a beautiful cross-wind landing in the slip. Phew! Had I some sailors aboard it would have been the greatest. Oh yeah. Lost a hat
Gentle breeze at the slip at 11 AM. Daughter aboard our O'Day 37 on first day of visit from England. Set the main going up the bay to the East River and Sound, wind dead on nose. On turning the corner, set the 130 jib and romped under autopilot under the Throggs Neck Bridge and into the Sound. Then: Whammoooo! We quickly roller reefed the jib to 100% and romped on out toward Stepping Stones, never heeling more than 20 degrees and ramping up to 8 knots at times going upwind. The flag at the stern is making a Godawful racket. "I am not liking this," says daughter who had never really appreciated the fact that sailboats travel on their sides. By now the wind is gusting well past 30 knots. So by Stepping Stones the Second Avenue Street Fair seems a better way to spend the rest of the day. So we come snappily about in rapidly increasing seas, run flat downwind for a moment to blanket the jib and roll it up, then reach under main alone back to the East River. But the mainsheet gets loose -- no stopper knot at the end. We retrieve it but it becomes hopelessly tangled. Nonetheless, we continue zipping toward home as the wind and seas continue to build, but it is gentlemanly sailing more or less downwind. As we near the slip we round up under power in a howling gale under a cloudless bright blue sky and wrestle the mainsail down, then make a beautiful cross-wind landing in the slip. Phew! Had I some sailors aboard it would have been the greatest. Oh yeah. Lost a hat
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Bil Thomas Feng Shui
Awesome Sunday Sail on the bay
We took Feng Shui or 335 out from Herring Bay. We had great sail under 70% jib. We sailed out to Bloody Point lighthouse and back. The helm balance under just the foresail was great. We only needed the engine to clear the Tracy Creek channel and to dock. The 3 of us and Scout us enjoyed a great, but wet ride. Though the water was not as nice a Sat we enjoyed a fun ride. The only bad thing was the loss of the boat and crew off Chesapeke Beach.
We took Feng Shui or 335 out from Herring Bay. We had great sail under 70% jib. We sailed out to Bloody Point lighthouse and back. The helm balance under just the foresail was great. We only needed the engine to clear the Tracy Creek channel and to dock. The 3 of us and Scout us enjoyed a great, but wet ride. Though the water was not as nice a Sat we enjoyed a fun ride. The only bad thing was the loss of the boat and crew off Chesapeke Beach.
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Bradley Cavedo
Windy
I was sailing alone Sunday, June 2, around Windmill Point to and from Pirate Cove from Stingray Point in our P42. Winds 25+ kts in afternoon. Sailing with full main and reefed jib on beam reach, I sustained 8.5 to 8.7 kts crossing Rappahannock at mouth, at times healing to 25 degrees. Wow. It was some sailing. I went from being glad I was alone, because no one else in my family would have enjoyed this as much as me [they would have been scared], to being scared I was alone, because I was on the edge of being overpowered. But there were no problems. But NOAA was broadcasting 25 to 30 mph announcements for northern Bay when I started the afternoon trip back around 2:30, and 15 to 25 for my area, which was close enough. And the local obervations were certainly showing the Thomas Pt winds, whether NOAA was predicting it or not. The bottom line is you as captain have to be your own best weather forecaster.
I was sailing alone Sunday, June 2, around Windmill Point to and from Pirate Cove from Stingray Point in our P42. Winds 25+ kts in afternoon. Sailing with full main and reefed jib on beam reach, I sustained 8.5 to 8.7 kts crossing Rappahannock at mouth, at times healing to 25 degrees. Wow. It was some sailing. I went from being glad I was alone, because no one else in my family would have enjoyed this as much as me [they would have been scared], to being scared I was alone, because I was on the edge of being overpowered. But there were no problems. But NOAA was broadcasting 25 to 30 mph announcements for northern Bay when I started the afternoon trip back around 2:30, and 15 to 25 for my area, which was close enough. And the local obervations were certainly showing the Thomas Pt winds, whether NOAA was predicting it or not. The bottom line is you as captain have to be your own best weather forecaster.
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David Guthridge
Tuesday on the chesapeake was no different.
My wife and I thought a nice little sail out of Solomons, Md, up the Patuxent to Cuckhold Creek would be a relaxing sail. We left at 10:00 AM Tuesday with winds out of the East at 12-15 kts. Headed up the river with only the main. Got up to Cuckhold Creek at 11:15, anchored with three other boats, and ate lunch. As the afternoon progressed the winds increased to 18-20 kts and more directly out of the east. Right up the river. We motored back in 2 1/2 hrs in 3-4 foot seas and as much as 30 kts on the nose. The roughest I have ever seen on the Patuxent. My '72 Pearson 26 continues to amaze me. She plunged right through all the river had to give and though the wind was strong and we had to hold on, the trip was comefortable. My wife and I enjoyed the excitement! Nothing better than a little spray in the face!!
My wife and I thought a nice little sail out of Solomons, Md, up the Patuxent to Cuckhold Creek would be a relaxing sail. We left at 10:00 AM Tuesday with winds out of the East at 12-15 kts. Headed up the river with only the main. Got up to Cuckhold Creek at 11:15, anchored with three other boats, and ate lunch. As the afternoon progressed the winds increased to 18-20 kts and more directly out of the east. Right up the river. We motored back in 2 1/2 hrs in 3-4 foot seas and as much as 30 kts on the nose. The roughest I have ever seen on the Patuxent. My '72 Pearson 26 continues to amaze me. She plunged right through all the river had to give and though the wind was strong and we had to hold on, the trip was comefortable. My wife and I enjoyed the excitement! Nothing better than a little spray in the face!!
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