This may seem obvious to others but...........

sailingdog · Nov 11, 2008

Yes, learning to depower a boat is a very good thing... by this I mean using sail controls, like the boom vang, outhaul, cunningham, jib fairleads, traveler, to reduce the power of the sails....as well as tucking in a reef or two.

Heaving to, lying ahull, forereaching are also good tactics.

RAD · Nov 11, 2008

I always remember the saying when in doubt let it out and that seems to work to slow down and have better control but I need to learn more skills in sail control so I really know what I'm doing

Roger (Ninette Manitoba) · Nov 11, 2008

I think the time that I most impressed myself about the power of sailing slowly, was during a sandwich break wherein I showed my friend how to set the boat in a 'hove to' position. We ate our sandwiches and quenched our thirst while still moving forward at about a knot. The boat behaved itself beautifully, but I did not know how well, until we were fininshed lunch, and upon my confirmation that we were both ready to go, lunch stowed, crew in position etc, I let the windward sheet out to bring the jib into its close reach positon, trimmed the leeward sheet, and manouvered the tiller accordingly. Within a few seconds we were moving at hull speed. My buddy looked at me indicating that he was quite impressed, but I was even more impressed at how well the boat had behaved, until I 'dropped into gear' and we shot off. I will never forget that lesson on how well I was able to control the boat, but especially when I needed to slow down.

Manny · Nov 11, 2008

One of the first things I learned was not to sail as fast as possible, mostly a function of keeping the admiral comfortable.

Manny

BobM · Nov 12, 2008

I still have a lot to learn, but agree that knowing how to depower a boat and sail slower and or safer is an important lesson. It is fun to be out when it is windy, but when it is gusting to high velocities relative to the average wind speed it can be hazardous. Rolling up the jib and dumping some wind from the main or reefing makes for a more comfortable ride with little loss of speed.

CharlieCobra · Nov 12, 2008

It comes in handy when you're waiting for a ship to clear your tack. Oh Joy handles pinching nicely.

Tim R. · Nov 12, 2008

No need for this skill Ross!

Just kidding. This is a necessary skill for racing and a successful start. Sometimes the wind pipes up approaching the line and you need to slow down. I usually err on the side of slow and do not roll out the full genny until the 1 minute warning gun. Even then I sometimes need to release the sheets to slow down and then power back up to get the timing right. Out of 13 races this summer, I probably crossed the line first in more than half and nailed a few right on the line.

Mike B · Nov 12, 2008

Ross, yes sailing slow is quite helpful when you're making a meal or using the head. Otherwise I usually, but not always, have it trimmed to go as fast as I can. If I'm entering an unknown area such as an anchorage or marina, or encounter heavy power boat traffic then I use the engine. I want as much control as possible and just you're not going to get that under sail alone. Now if I'm entering an area I'm familiar with I love to go in under sail. Nothing like impressing the masses with some good sailing skills.
Mike

oldiesrocker2001 · Nov 12, 2008

While I like to go fast sometimes, the Admiral is a bit of a 'nervous nellie' and since I learned on little(er)boats like the snark and a 17-footer, I had to be able to de-power pretty quickly. To be honest though, When I have no particular place to be I'm just as happy with a leisurely sail and am likely to not leave the dock if it's blowing really hard.
My modest 21-footer is similar in size to your's Roger, but probably due to it's undersized jib I can't get it to heave to for more than a few moments. When I need to depower for more than a few moments the jib gets partially furled first; after that, if it's really blowing I have to bring her into the wind and fire up the iron genny since I still haven't figured out the solution for my boat's poor reefed performance.

CharlieCobra · Nov 12, 2008

My V-21 doesn't heave to with that little lapper well either.

Warren Milberg · Nov 12, 2008

This is an interesting question, the answer to which (at least for me) would be dependent on the location, characteristic of the new area being approached, and the actual conditions. If I had enough sea room, and there were not a lot other boats in the area, I guess I would try to depower the boat and remain under sail for as long as it was safely possible to do so. The key here would be making sure I had enough free space to get the sails down. and the iron genny on, if need be. FWIW, I sometimes see people sailing in or out of Herrington Harbour, where I keep my boat. I'm sure they are dazzling their passengers and all those who can see them with their sailing skills. Yet this is a long, narrow, and shallow channel and one that makes it really tough for a boat under power to give way to a boat under sail. While it is a good thing to be able to sail your boat in all conditions, there are times when it just shouldn't be done even if it is technically doable.

Jim · Nov 13, 2008

Ross, you have a point. You might want to sail slower to trol fishing or slow up to stay with your buddy. I have never been in this position. I aways want to go faster and blow my buddy away or make time on a long trip.

rpwillia · Nov 13, 2008

I have managed to sail into my slip a few times. Best time was once when I did it and a few people came running up thinking I was in trouble and I just slid right in and stopped. One of them, a guy name Mike Fallon who used to be one of the top racers on the Potomac, looked at me and sail "That was some nice sailing" - one of my proudest moments.

One other skill that is a little neglected is being able to get way when the wind is really light and you have to make your own wind. Those conditions are a bit tricky and a sudden movement or extreme anything can kill your progress, but very rewarding when you are moving and no one else is.

SEADANCE · Nov 13, 2008

Sailing slowly

The only time I like sailing slowly and quietly is on the way home just when the sun is setting after being out on the water all day long. What I crave and have fallen in love with are the good 15-20 knot winds and seas that are 2-4 feet(or more) it is then that I take over the helm. I am quite fond of a good rain storm or thunder storm out on the water. September and October are my favorite months down here because of the good winds.
No wind..motoring..water that looks like glass..not for me..just pass me the rum!
Autopilot..absolutley hate it.

Mike B · Nov 14, 2008

Ross, is that the Sassafras? It looks very serene, especially with the moon showing it's face in daylight hours. Also have to ask you, since you mentioned "running aground suddenly" , if you've ever run aground "slowly"

Mike

Scott B · Nov 14, 2008

Slow sailing

Sometimes you just take what you're given wind wise. This was Thanksgiving weekend ( Canadian) on a slow wind day and nowhere really to go. Dumped the kids in the dinghy while underway to get some "action shots" of the boat. Sometimes Autopilot is fun too.

This may seem obvious to others but...........

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

Attachments