„h 9-13 & 14, two challenging trips on the water. On Friday the 13th, hmmmm, we left the marina on our H260 with expectations of after sailing a while, then finding a quiet place to drop anchor and spending the night, maybe two nights on the bay. We had all our stuff and ready to go, even our dog, Rusty. The bay was calm and the meter said about 6 mph for the wind, out of the south. So, I put the full main up. The wind seemed to be shifting around and I didn¡¦t want to completely trust it, so I only let out ~3/4 of the jib. All was good. 15 minutes later Bonnie sees white caps south of us, the direction we were going. Looked funny. 10 minutes later we were in it. The wind was coming to us, took control, and blew us over. Water was up to our windows and we were close to going over. I held fast, and finally brought the boat into the wind and dropped the sails. Went down to the second reef point and after getting back into the wind was still having problems controlling her. The gusts were killing me. Rusty was going crazy. So, we turned around and headed back to port. With the chop, running home wasn¡¦t even a nice sail. The chop was hitting us off the starboard aft side and more then once came over the side making sure we were good and wet. We did spent the night on the boat¡K ¡§In the marina¡¨. If I ever see this again, I'll immediately lower the sails. Something else they didn't teach us in sailing school! Saturday was a cloudy day that looked like rain, but we went out anyway, but stayed close to the marina. The winds weren¡¦t bad, but after yesterday, I kept one reef in. Sailing was fine until I tried to drop sails and come in. The cord was knotted in the roller furling, so I couldn¡¦t roll the last 2/3¡¦s of the sail. The first time I've had any problems with the CDI furling. I let the sail stay slack and we made it in to the marina. As soon as we were behind the trees and the sail went slack, I had Bonn, tie the sail in a knot around the forestay. That way she could tie the bow lines without getting smacked around. At the dock, I unrolled the sail and the line was just knotted on the spool. I assume the line had slack in it as the sail came out and it knotted up. I¡¦m not sure how to avoid that. A constant tention on the line would help. Anyway, I'm still learning.
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Crazy Dave Condon
Those days we remember
Hi Frank; I had fun in a 28 footer riding out Hurricane Floyd once. Alot of wind and chop. I needed some moonshine for being out in that mess It is good to hear from you and hope everything is going well for Rusty and you. Crazy Dave Condon
Hi Frank; I had fun in a 28 footer riding out Hurricane Floyd once. Alot of wind and chop. I needed some moonshine for being out in that mess It is good to hear from you and hope everything is going well for Rusty and you. Crazy Dave Condon
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Bill O'Donovan
Good for you!
Putting that second reef in under heavy wind is rough going. Sounds like you handled the entire trip very well. You may go another two years before encountering such challenging conditions (unaware), but take pride in do so well.
Putting that second reef in under heavy wind is rough going. Sounds like you handled the entire trip very well. You may go another two years before encountering such challenging conditions (unaware), but take pride in do so well.
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Bill and Nancy Berg
Roller Furler
Yes always keep tenion on the furling line. Especially when furling (rolling up) One hand on the jib sheetwith light tension, while you haul on the furler. (and keep tension on the furling line while pulling out the jib sheet when un-furling.) A useful tool can sometimes be to let out the mainsheet during a longer gust and back-wind the main with the jib. In essence this cancels out the force of the wind. Then when the gust eases, pull in the main sheet.
Yes always keep tenion on the furling line. Especially when furling (rolling up) One hand on the jib sheetwith light tension, while you haul on the furler. (and keep tension on the furling line while pulling out the jib sheet when un-furling.) A useful tool can sometimes be to let out the mainsheet during a longer gust and back-wind the main with the jib. In essence this cancels out the force of the wind. Then when the gust eases, pull in the main sheet.
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Kevin
Trust what you see.
Job well done, I am a new Hunter 260 owner myself. Two weeks ago I found myself in the middle of a thunderstorm for the first time. Like you, seeing the white caps, I saw the dark (black) clouds rolling in, ahead of time. We had great conversation on the boat as to which way the storm was headed. I made the decision to lower sails and head back to the intracoastal. Glad I did because it turned out to be a severe thunderstorm with a tornado spotted a few miles noth of us. Point is, when you see white caps or a storm building, go with your instincts and lower sails and be prepared for rough sailing conditions. "BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE"...Happy and Safe sailing!
Job well done, I am a new Hunter 260 owner myself. Two weeks ago I found myself in the middle of a thunderstorm for the first time. Like you, seeing the white caps, I saw the dark (black) clouds rolling in, ahead of time. We had great conversation on the boat as to which way the storm was headed. I made the decision to lower sails and head back to the intracoastal. Glad I did because it turned out to be a severe thunderstorm with a tornado spotted a few miles noth of us. Point is, when you see white caps or a storm building, go with your instincts and lower sails and be prepared for rough sailing conditions. "BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE"...Happy and Safe sailing!
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Paul
NOAA weather
Although I chide NOAA weather for being right about half of the time, their errors are almost always marginal. The NOAA coastal waters forecast would have told you that tropical storm what's-her-name was sliding up the coast, and would have had a good prediction on the wind strength in store for you. I always check the NOAA weather before I go sailing. When I'm home I check the website (link below) and when I am boating I listen to the weather radio. Listen for "coastal waters forecast for (your area)." Two weeks ago we went to Block Island in a small craft advisory, and I was ready with a double reef at the dock, everyone in life jackets, me in a harness, and jacklines rigged. The trip was exciting but uneventful.
Although I chide NOAA weather for being right about half of the time, their errors are almost always marginal. The NOAA coastal waters forecast would have told you that tropical storm what's-her-name was sliding up the coast, and would have had a good prediction on the wind strength in store for you. I always check the NOAA weather before I go sailing. When I'm home I check the website (link below) and when I am boating I listen to the weather radio. Listen for "coastal waters forecast for (your area)." Two weeks ago we went to Block Island in a small craft advisory, and I was ready with a double reef at the dock, everyone in life jackets, me in a harness, and jacklines rigged. The trip was exciting but uneventful.
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Frank Sears
NOAA
We always look at the weather station at home before we go out and turn on the weather on the VHF once on the boat... that day it was usless.
We always look at the weather station at home before we go out and turn on the weather on the VHF once on the boat... that day it was usless.
Well done!
Despite the agony of the past weekend, the tone of your post is very upbeat. To me, that's a pretty clear sign that you have the makings of a rewarding future in sailing. The others are on the money as far as keeping some tension on the jib sheet when roller-furling and absolutely trusting what you see when you're out on the water. Always keep a weather eye out and if the thought even crosses your mind for a second, reef immediately. Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
Despite the agony of the past weekend, the tone of your post is very upbeat. To me, that's a pretty clear sign that you have the makings of a rewarding future in sailing. The others are on the money as far as keeping some tension on the jib sheet when roller-furling and absolutely trusting what you see when you're out on the water. Always keep a weather eye out and if the thought even crosses your mind for a second, reef immediately. Happy sailing. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Don
Don't always depend on NOAA either
On the Ches Bay, the NOAA forecasts are amazingly incorrect. Winds develop that are greater than forecasted, and sometimes stay there. And NOAA isn't necessarily updated. I've been caught several times out this summer in unexpectedly heavy winds. A few boats back I was in a 21' and saw the water over the ports a few times! On my 37.5, you can generally ride them out, but I've had simlar problems to yours, fouled furler, jammed main, etc. Plus there's sometimes damage to sails/boat which means $$$. Hang in there, it's all part of the sport.
On the Ches Bay, the NOAA forecasts are amazingly incorrect. Winds develop that are greater than forecasted, and sometimes stay there. And NOAA isn't necessarily updated. I've been caught several times out this summer in unexpectedly heavy winds. A few boats back I was in a 21' and saw the water over the ports a few times! On my 37.5, you can generally ride them out, but I've had simlar problems to yours, fouled furler, jammed main, etc. Plus there's sometimes damage to sails/boat which means $$$. Hang in there, it's all part of the sport.
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John Allison
Agree with Don
I like Don's comment about the amazing inaccuracies of the NOAA forcasts for the Chesepeake Bay. In general, the same is true of the Lake St Clair area. I think I can count the number of correct forcasts for this summer on one (maybe both) hand. In general the inaccuracies have to do with wind force. Trust in what you see not what you hear.
I like Don's comment about the amazing inaccuracies of the NOAA forcasts for the Chesepeake Bay. In general, the same is true of the Lake St Clair area. I think I can count the number of correct forcasts for this summer on one (maybe both) hand. In general the inaccuracies have to do with wind force. Trust in what you see not what you hear.
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Joe R., SV Skooky 3 - Cat 30
CDI tension
On my H240 I have found through error to keep tension on the jib furling line by tieing off the last 20 inches or so on a stancheon. If I don't keep the line tight, it usually bounces over the bow cleat requiring a trip forward to free it. If the seas are rough enough to foul the line, it probably an ugly trip to the bow to free it. Joe
On my H240 I have found through error to keep tension on the jib furling line by tieing off the last 20 inches or so on a stancheon. If I don't keep the line tight, it usually bounces over the bow cleat requiring a trip forward to free it. If the seas are rough enough to foul the line, it probably an ugly trip to the bow to free it. Joe
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Tom
I was out on Friday and Saturday as well...
We left Friday evening with a fresh breeze blowing. Sailed up the Magothy and anchored. Sailed out to the bay Saturday morning with the winds building to 18 knots....furled the headsail and the wind....died. Nice sailing the rest of the day in about 12-15. I have had the line on my Streamstay furler jam before and it was like riding a bucking bronco lying down. Nice 2-3 ft chop wind blowing lying on the foredeck trying to clear the jam. I agree...tension on the furling line and the sheet...
We left Friday evening with a fresh breeze blowing. Sailed up the Magothy and anchored. Sailed out to the bay Saturday morning with the winds building to 18 knots....furled the headsail and the wind....died. Nice sailing the rest of the day in about 12-15. I have had the line on my Streamstay furler jam before and it was like riding a bucking bronco lying down. Nice 2-3 ft chop wind blowing lying on the foredeck trying to clear the jam. I agree...tension on the furling line and the sheet...
More on roller reefing
You probably knew this already but what the heck... Pull the furling line in a bit further once the genoa is rolled up so that the sheets wrap completely around the sail at least twice. This will help keep the clew in place and also reduce the load on the furling line when the wind starts howling at 3 am. Peter
You probably knew this already but what the heck... Pull the furling line in a bit further once the genoa is rolled up so that the sheets wrap completely around the sail at least twice. This will help keep the clew in place and also reduce the load on the furling line when the wind starts howling at 3 am. Peter
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Paul
Dial-a-Bouy
You say that NOAA weather was useless that day? Chesapeake Bay sailors should take advantage of the fact that they have a telemetric C-Man station right at Thomas Point Lighthouse. If you dial up 228-688-1948 and enter in the code for station TPLM2 (87562) you'll get the real-time, right-now data on wind and sea state. All you need is your cell phone. I wish we had a bouy or C-Man station in LI Sound.
You say that NOAA weather was useless that day? Chesapeake Bay sailors should take advantage of the fact that they have a telemetric C-Man station right at Thomas Point Lighthouse. If you dial up 228-688-1948 and enter in the code for station TPLM2 (87562) you'll get the real-time, right-now data on wind and sea state. All you need is your cell phone. I wish we had a bouy or C-Man station in LI Sound.
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Wayne
I also like intellicast.
In addition to the bouy reports we have also used intellicast. They have specific wind, rain, and thunderstorm forcast by time. This and the real-time bouy data have provide additional clarity and precision to the NOAA reports. -wayne s/v Mahina Kai
In addition to the bouy reports we have also used intellicast. They have specific wind, rain, and thunderstorm forcast by time. This and the real-time bouy data have provide additional clarity and precision to the NOAA reports. -wayne s/v Mahina Kai
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Don
Thanks Paul - you made my day
I knew how to get TPL info on the web, but didn't know I could call. # is stored in my cell phone now so I can always check. Ain't HOW great!
I knew how to get TPL info on the web, but didn't know I could call. # is stored in my cell phone now so I can always check. Ain't HOW great!
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Frank Sears
Thank you
Thank you all for your input. I'll start using intellicast and the TP Light house. I not only wrap the jib sail up a couple of turns but I tie a strap around her too. I do take may sail leeward in high winds, but with the angled spreader bars, you can only release so much air. I like I'll put a tie wrap or something in one of the furling cord guides to create a constant tention on the cord. Thanks again.
Thank you all for your input. I'll start using intellicast and the TP Light house. I not only wrap the jib sail up a couple of turns but I tie a strap around her too. I do take may sail leeward in high winds, but with the angled spreader bars, you can only release so much air. I like I'll put a tie wrap or something in one of the furling cord guides to create a constant tention on the cord. Thanks again.
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