Tipping point

[Deadline]

On Saturday, Aug. 25, wife and I sailed our H320 through a day-long storm on the Chesapeake Bay while proceeding south from Deltaville to New Point Comfort and the York River.

Steady 20 mph winds from the northeast set us on a deep broad reach with the main half-reefed and no genoa deployed.

We endured continuous rolling as waves of 4 and 5 feet (estimated from trough to crest) battered the boat from the aft quarter and rounded it up to roll into a beam reach despite my best efforts to maintain course. In only 18 feet of water, big waves kept coming.

I knew that the wind would not turn the boat over, but this was the water lifting and rolling it past 45 degrees. The waves tended to break slightly, but not as foamy as when coming ashore.

But for the 3200-lb keel, I wonder at what tipping point we would have rolled over: 6-foot waves? Foamier crests? 25 mph gusts? Should I have motor-sailed through it? Any other thoughts? It was challenging, that's for sure. Thanks.

Bill O’Donovan
Deadline

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

I've read several places that breaking waves 1/3 the length of the water line could knock over a sailboat. Much depends on the keel configuration, beam, windage etc. www.usna.edu/Users/naome/phmiller/offshore.ppt

 

[captainpat]

I'm in no way an expert but try these individually or in combination: 1. slow the boat down – probably would not help in your situation. 2. You said that you were in 18' of water, most likely running along a lee shore with the waves piling up against the shallowing bottom. Get in deeper water - wave action will probably be less and you will--- 3. Bring the wind more forward to get the wind more on the beam. 4. While running, you may have been better off with the reefed headsail rather than the main.

When I had my 35.5 I was moving up the Jersey coast in bigger wind (35) and bigger waves (8-10) on the starboard quarter; had a lapper and a bit of motor. Although the boat would surf at 13K! (exhilarating as well as a bit daunting) she did not want to round up. However, things got real interesting entering Barnegat with the wind and waves breaking across the inlet!! But that’s another story.

 

[McZube]

Would a drogue have kept the stern from being pushed around? I'm very curious to know because I'm sailing the same waters.

 

[Deadline]

To McZube- I doubt it, since it would have merely slowed me down. The way the waves were coming every few minutes, I needed to get out of there. In retrospect, I should have run the engine and motorsailed because that would have given me more stability as the waves rounded me up. And I would have gone offshore more except that it would have taken longer without improving the depth much. All of these comments have been very helpful, especially the video which I'm going to get a scientist to explain to me. Bill O'D