(Editor's note: This is a new idea brought to us by Gary Wyngarden and it's something we may run on a regular basis. If you have comments or suggestions please let us know; email to info (at) sailboatowners.com) You and your spouse take your 30 foot production sailboat out for a Sunday afternoon daysail. You've invited another couple to come with you who are good friends but who aren't sailors. After you're out for a couple of hours, and defying a comparatively benign weather forecast, the wind suddenly picks up to 30 knots with some gusts even higher. The wind quickly whips up a nasty five-foot chop, and the other couple is looking fearful. Your marina, which is the nearest shelter, is seven miles up wind. Three miles off the wind from you is a rocky lee shore with no protection. You elect to drop sail and motor toward your marina. Fighting the wind and waves, you are making slow progress toward your marina, but your boat is taking a pounding. After about 15 minutes, your engine RPM's drop off and finally your engine dies and won't restart. Lacking forward motion, your bow drops off the wind and your boat is lying ahull and getting pounded by the chop which is rocking the boat through a 60 degree arc. One member of the other couple is seasick and the other is sobbing quietly. What would you do? ("What would you do" situation by Gary Wyngarden)
- Status
Be a sailor
The first mistake was that he dropped his sails instead of reefing.... so now that his aux is dead... it is time to set sails in a reefed configuration ... all hands dawn pfd and explain that this is safe and a 30 footer can handle these conditions... he boat will handle the conditions much better with sails set then under power... and have a nice wet sail to the marina.
The first mistake was that he dropped his sails instead of reefing.... so now that his aux is dead... it is time to set sails in a reefed configuration ... all hands dawn pfd and explain that this is safe and a 30 footer can handle these conditions... he boat will handle the conditions much better with sails set then under power... and have a nice wet sail to the marina.
Sell the boat ...
and take up golf. Tom has it right, be a sailor. The hint here is that it's a SAILBOAT with an auxiliary engine, motoring upwind with the sails down makes no sense at all. Any sailor with any training or experience would not just drop the sails in those conditions. I'll wager that most production 30 footers will go to weather quite nicely and relatively comfortably in only 30 knots. Why would the engine die? Crud in the tank stirred up by the boat bouncing around after Capt. Braindead dropped the sails? The situation was nowhere near an emergency until the skipper started making bad decisions. Trade the boat for a golf cart ... Fore!
and take up golf. Tom has it right, be a sailor. The hint here is that it's a SAILBOAT with an auxiliary engine, motoring upwind with the sails down makes no sense at all. Any sailor with any training or experience would not just drop the sails in those conditions. I'll wager that most production 30 footers will go to weather quite nicely and relatively comfortably in only 30 knots. Why would the engine die? Crud in the tank stirred up by the boat bouncing around after Capt. Braindead dropped the sails? The situation was nowhere near an emergency until the skipper started making bad decisions. Trade the boat for a golf cart ... Fore!
hmmmm
If it looked like it was just a passing wind without any dangerous storm, I might have turned and ran with just the jib up so I didn't have to try docking in that 30 knots while also turning that 30 knots into 23 knots. If I really wanted to get into the marina then, such as if I thought it was going to get worse or lighting was a concern, then yeah, I would have rolled up the jib, reefed the main and sailed in instead of dropping the sails. In my marina, only a northern wind can you sail in and we don't get those much, so after loosing my engine, I would have put the jib back up and ran with the wind and went down below to change the fuel filter while somebody else takes the helm. Once I got the engine running again, I would turn the boat around and sailed towards the marina and gone through my normal process of motoring in through the channel. If I didn't have a fuel filter, I would have sailed to the windward shore, anchored, rode it out on anchor and then later dinghyed in to get a fuel filter. If for some reason I just had to get this couple back to land, I would called for a tow if I couldn't sail into the slip. In otherwords...lots of variables determine which is the best option.
If it looked like it was just a passing wind without any dangerous storm, I might have turned and ran with just the jib up so I didn't have to try docking in that 30 knots while also turning that 30 knots into 23 knots. If I really wanted to get into the marina then, such as if I thought it was going to get worse or lighting was a concern, then yeah, I would have rolled up the jib, reefed the main and sailed in instead of dropping the sails. In my marina, only a northern wind can you sail in and we don't get those much, so after loosing my engine, I would have put the jib back up and ran with the wind and went down below to change the fuel filter while somebody else takes the helm. Once I got the engine running again, I would turn the boat around and sailed towards the marina and gone through my normal process of motoring in through the channel. If I didn't have a fuel filter, I would have sailed to the windward shore, anchored, rode it out on anchor and then later dinghyed in to get a fuel filter. If for some reason I just had to get this couple back to land, I would called for a tow if I couldn't sail into the slip. In otherwords...lots of variables determine which is the best option.
do some soul searching
i agree with Tom , reef and be a sailor. And I agree with Moody. If you don,t want to be a sailor , just sell the boat and find another passtime. If you bought the boat for entertaining at the dock or impressing friends,, SELL IT. After that experience, your passengers will probably NEVER sail again. Take boating seriously and learn as much as you can about sailing/weather. Your boat will take much worse weather than 30 knot winds and 5 ft seas , If PREPARED. Please take some boating safety courses. the power squadron, and uscg offer FREE boating courses. I have been a tugboat captain for over 10 yrs and seen many lives lost to to ignorance and lack of respect for the sea.
i agree with Tom , reef and be a sailor. And I agree with Moody. If you don,t want to be a sailor , just sell the boat and find another passtime. If you bought the boat for entertaining at the dock or impressing friends,, SELL IT. After that experience, your passengers will probably NEVER sail again. Take boating seriously and learn as much as you can about sailing/weather. Your boat will take much worse weather than 30 knot winds and 5 ft seas , If PREPARED. Please take some boating safety courses. the power squadron, and uscg offer FREE boating courses. I have been a tugboat captain for over 10 yrs and seen many lives lost to to ignorance and lack of respect for the sea.
Yes, but what now?
Every sailor makes bad decisions, and inexperienced and non-confident ones will make more. The attitude evident in "sell the boat and take up golf" may be why we are having trouble attracting newcomers to our sport. Fact is that the boat is safe but the saiors are scared. Thirty knots is a lot of wind when you haven't done much sailing in more than 20 - more than twice as much force on the sails. Give the guys a break. Relying on the engine was not a dumb option - they have 7 miles to go, not 700. The question is, what to do now? I would suggest that for this situation, where the boat owners are not too confident of their skills, the first step is to get enough jib up to heave to. This will immediately steady the boat and calm everyone down. Now four miles from a lee shore, there is at least a two hour window to get things under control. Once the non-sailors realize they are not going to sink and drown, rational discussion can ensue. Next, get on the VHF and establish contact with either the marina or coast guard. No help required yet, but having someone know your situation, again, will give everyone added confidence. Once you know you can be "rescued" in half an hour if need be, the need for rescue will be much less. Once everyone and the boat is back under control, it is time to put up some mainsail and attempt to sail to windward. Pinching up and luffing as necessary can reduce the heeling so its not too scary, and still make progress. Keep the marina informed of your progress, and if needed get a tow in to a slip. Odds are the wind will drop within an hour anyway, and no great harm done.
Every sailor makes bad decisions, and inexperienced and non-confident ones will make more. The attitude evident in "sell the boat and take up golf" may be why we are having trouble attracting newcomers to our sport. Fact is that the boat is safe but the saiors are scared. Thirty knots is a lot of wind when you haven't done much sailing in more than 20 - more than twice as much force on the sails. Give the guys a break. Relying on the engine was not a dumb option - they have 7 miles to go, not 700. The question is, what to do now? I would suggest that for this situation, where the boat owners are not too confident of their skills, the first step is to get enough jib up to heave to. This will immediately steady the boat and calm everyone down. Now four miles from a lee shore, there is at least a two hour window to get things under control. Once the non-sailors realize they are not going to sink and drown, rational discussion can ensue. Next, get on the VHF and establish contact with either the marina or coast guard. No help required yet, but having someone know your situation, again, will give everyone added confidence. Once you know you can be "rescued" in half an hour if need be, the need for rescue will be much less. Once everyone and the boat is back under control, it is time to put up some mainsail and attempt to sail to windward. Pinching up and luffing as necessary can reduce the heeling so its not too scary, and still make progress. Keep the marina informed of your progress, and if needed get a tow in to a slip. Odds are the wind will drop within an hour anyway, and no great harm done.
Arrrrrrr!
This requires a pirate's approach. First, there be no tolerance for sobbing and puking. The motley friends need to settle down or be tossed overboards. No room for dead weight here. Then it's time for the captain to send the wench for some whiskey. This be no time for sober reflecting. Then it's all sails up with none of this scallywag reefing business. Tie the captain to the wheel and the guests to the mast with the wench keeping an eye on the whiskey. Head into the wind with a good pirate song loudly sung. Arrrrrrrrr, we be sailing now.
This requires a pirate's approach. First, there be no tolerance for sobbing and puking. The motley friends need to settle down or be tossed overboards. No room for dead weight here. Then it's time for the captain to send the wench for some whiskey. This be no time for sober reflecting. Then it's all sails up with none of this scallywag reefing business. Tie the captain to the wheel and the guests to the mast with the wench keeping an eye on the whiskey. Head into the wind with a good pirate song loudly sung. Arrrrrrrrr, we be sailing now.
Agree with the rest of the folks
Brain dead captain. First when you go out make the paln to sail upwind first ahd downwind to get home. That way should things "go south" you have a downwind sail vs an upwind beat with new folks on board. Second leave the sails up Third do you maintenence and make sure your safty items (aux motor and fuel tank in this case) are in good working order. I've had this happen (30 knot wind out of no where) on several trips. Since we where on our way out we either decided to go a little further upsind to fill up the time we had to be out and then turned tail and sailed back home or imedatly sailed home. PPPPP - prior planning prevents pxxs poor proformance.
Brain dead captain. First when you go out make the paln to sail upwind first ahd downwind to get home. That way should things "go south" you have a downwind sail vs an upwind beat with new folks on board. Second leave the sails up Third do you maintenence and make sure your safty items (aux motor and fuel tank in this case) are in good working order. I've had this happen (30 knot wind out of no where) on several trips. Since we where on our way out we either decided to go a little further upsind to fill up the time we had to be out and then turned tail and sailed back home or imedatly sailed home. PPPPP - prior planning prevents pxxs poor proformance.
what would
what a hard-hearted bunch you guys are. what if the captain had a heart attack? would you criticize his diet? the question is what to do now, not what great sailors you are. i would first get on the vhf and find who and what is available. i know that is what our tow-boat guy, who always says most emergencies call him far too late, would say. how can you possibly advise what to do without knowing what options are available. as much as we like to fantasize, we are not magellan, and he got munched anyway. as pilots say, climb, communicate, and confess.
what a hard-hearted bunch you guys are. what if the captain had a heart attack? would you criticize his diet? the question is what to do now, not what great sailors you are. i would first get on the vhf and find who and what is available. i know that is what our tow-boat guy, who always says most emergencies call him far too late, would say. how can you possibly advise what to do without knowing what options are available. as much as we like to fantasize, we are not magellan, and he got munched anyway. as pilots say, climb, communicate, and confess.
David
How are you going to heave-to with just the jib? Heaving-to is a good idea if done right but it sure does make it a whole lot easier if you already have the sails up As for turning the motor on when 7 miles out not being a bad decision, as this and other experiences tell us, it usually is a bad idea. A rocky boat turns up all that stuff sitting in the bottom of the tank. Running the motor will suck up all that stuff into the filter and clog it. Unless you know you have a very clean tank, try at all cost not to start the engine until absolutely necessary.
How are you going to heave-to with just the jib? Heaving-to is a good idea if done right but it sure does make it a whole lot easier if you already have the sails up
As for turning the motor on when 7 miles out not being a bad decision, as this and other experiences tell us, it usually is a bad idea. A rocky boat turns up all that stuff sitting in the bottom of the tank. Running the motor will suck up all that stuff into the filter and clog it. Unless you know you have a very clean tank, try at all cost not to start the engine until absolutely necessary.
GIve the guy a break
I agree with Morty, give the poor guy a break. Those of you who have never done anything boneheaded, feel free to throw stones; the rest of you (which I am sure is all of you) should help the captain find his best way out of it. For many people the engine does not seem like such a ridiculous original decision, and the fact that you think its normal for your engine to crap out may reflect your own poor decisions or maintenance. Yes his boat can handle this weather very well, and yes, as a sailor I think he should raise a reefed main and small jib and sail it to home. But in most of the accident post mortems you read, one of the largest factors in situations with bad outcomes is management of the boat, including the crew. If the newbies are hysterical or panicked, the best captain will have a hard time. If he is himself a novice and not projecting confidence, it will be worse because panic is contagious. He should, at the outset, have safety briefed the crew, at this point he will have to sail, but it is critical that he explains what is going on; tells the crew it may be wet; explains to them that a sailboat is designed to heel and why it will be able to handle things; and calmly makes his way home or to a convenient port of refuge. Being in relatively open waters, if I am just taking a daysail to no particular destination, especially with an inexperienced crew, I usually do start out with a beat so that the return trip home is more likely to be a broad reach or run That way, if the wind does pipe up or shift to some extent, I still have comfortable conditions. But everyone does not have this option. A couple of things no one talked about: if the engine does not start, does he have the ability and sufficient shelter in his home port to bring the boat in in these conditions? He may get to the port, but what will he do then? If he is not be at a mooring, and if he's in a tight slip, he had better think about an alternative he can sail to if he can't start the engine. And how far is he from that lee shore and is he making good progress away from it? Those who suggested running with the wind better remember where they are. Its a good topic and a real one.
I agree with Morty, give the poor guy a break. Those of you who have never done anything boneheaded, feel free to throw stones; the rest of you (which I am sure is all of you) should help the captain find his best way out of it. For many people the engine does not seem like such a ridiculous original decision, and the fact that you think its normal for your engine to crap out may reflect your own poor decisions or maintenance. Yes his boat can handle this weather very well, and yes, as a sailor I think he should raise a reefed main and small jib and sail it to home. But in most of the accident post mortems you read, one of the largest factors in situations with bad outcomes is management of the boat, including the crew. If the newbies are hysterical or panicked, the best captain will have a hard time. If he is himself a novice and not projecting confidence, it will be worse because panic is contagious. He should, at the outset, have safety briefed the crew, at this point he will have to sail, but it is critical that he explains what is going on; tells the crew it may be wet; explains to them that a sailboat is designed to heel and why it will be able to handle things; and calmly makes his way home or to a convenient port of refuge. Being in relatively open waters, if I am just taking a daysail to no particular destination, especially with an inexperienced crew, I usually do start out with a beat so that the return trip home is more likely to be a broad reach or run That way, if the wind does pipe up or shift to some extent, I still have comfortable conditions. But everyone does not have this option. A couple of things no one talked about: if the engine does not start, does he have the ability and sufficient shelter in his home port to bring the boat in in these conditions? He may get to the port, but what will he do then? If he is not be at a mooring, and if he's in a tight slip, he had better think about an alternative he can sail to if he can't start the engine. And how far is he from that lee shore and is he making good progress away from it? Those who suggested running with the wind better remember where they are. Its a good topic and a real one.
Information First!
Before I moved another muscle, I would wire-up the weather information services to figure out where I stood. Is there a severe weather system coming? If so, which direction and how far off. What is the expected approach of this storm and the speed through which it travels. In other words how long will it take to pass over. Worst case, would be two severe weather systems with torrential rain and wind. One right behind the other. With each lasting an hour including sever electrical activity. In this case I would dowse all sails, shut-down engine, anchor solid or sea-anchor whichever suits, usher passengers below and ride it out, staying warm and cozy. Having anchored will significantly reduce or eliminate the rolling motion, leaving only the boat to pitch. The likelihood of anyone getting green will be eliminated. Tom
Before I moved another muscle, I would wire-up the weather information services to figure out where I stood. Is there a severe weather system coming? If so, which direction and how far off. What is the expected approach of this storm and the speed through which it travels. In other words how long will it take to pass over. Worst case, would be two severe weather systems with torrential rain and wind. One right behind the other. With each lasting an hour including sever electrical activity. In this case I would dowse all sails, shut-down engine, anchor solid or sea-anchor whichever suits, usher passengers below and ride it out, staying warm and cozy. Having anchored will significantly reduce or eliminate the rolling motion, leaving only the boat to pitch. The likelihood of anyone getting green will be eliminated. Tom
Too bad ...
If you don't have the knowledge/skills/equipment needed to sail in normal conditions, you shouldn't be taking non-sailors out in your boat. There are 100's if not 1000's of sailing books and courses available. Newcomers to the sport/pastime have only to qualify by having a decent line of credit or rich parents. Calling for help is a normal option for people used to AAA and On-Star. I don't want to sound elitist, but ... a basic sailing course would have prevented the situation. Reefing and heaving to are covered in almost every 3 day course. Since I have no faith that a skipper that would make the decision that put the boat in this situation has the skills to recover from it, let's change the scenario just a bit: When the wind came up a guest was at the wheel and accidentally gybed the boat. The skipper was knocked unconscious. When the skipper regains consciousness, she finds that the crew has dropped the sails, and tried to motor back to the marina. Now we have a valid problem. What does our skipper do now?
If you don't have the knowledge/skills/equipment needed to sail in normal conditions, you shouldn't be taking non-sailors out in your boat. There are 100's if not 1000's of sailing books and courses available. Newcomers to the sport/pastime have only to qualify by having a decent line of credit or rich parents. Calling for help is a normal option for people used to AAA and On-Star. I don't want to sound elitist, but ... a basic sailing course would have prevented the situation. Reefing and heaving to are covered in almost every 3 day course. Since I have no faith that a skipper that would make the decision that put the boat in this situation has the skills to recover from it, let's change the scenario just a bit: When the wind came up a guest was at the wheel and accidentally gybed the boat. The skipper was knocked unconscious. When the skipper regains consciousness, she finds that the crew has dropped the sails, and tried to motor back to the marina. Now we have a valid problem. What does our skipper do now?
what would
again, whenever non-sailors come aboard for a trip the first thing i teach them is how to work the vhf. please list all the reasons not to use it in this case. this poor guys is probably scared (happens to some of us) with an angry and scared wife and two souls who have just quit sailing for life aboard, he has no idea like ye buccaneers that thirty knots in not going to become fifty or sixty, and three foot seas not ten; he doesn't need advice like it's three hundred years ago; "brave it out me bucko, on my fourteenth trip around the horn......." some of us may get nasty surprises, and it's not a bad idea to know what to do then. isn't that the question?
again, whenever non-sailors come aboard for a trip the first thing i teach them is how to work the vhf. please list all the reasons not to use it in this case. this poor guys is probably scared (happens to some of us) with an angry and scared wife and two souls who have just quit sailing for life aboard, he has no idea like ye buccaneers that thirty knots in not going to become fifty or sixty, and three foot seas not ten; he doesn't need advice like it's three hundred years ago; "brave it out me bucko, on my fourteenth trip around the horn......." some of us may get nasty surprises, and it's not a bad idea to know what to do then. isn't that the question?
Stay Calm!!
Its going to be one hell of a bounce in a 30 knot wind and better yet its going to be a scary scenario without power. This is an excellent classroom discussion and the results are clear that the options are few: either sail, set an anchor, attempt to start the engine (no one in the cockpit though to deal with the helm) or get a tow. Simpe as that. Its the test of character and skill. So, has anyone ever sailed in a 30 knot wind? Probably only a few who frequent this board, I bet. If the vessel was a Westsail, or an Island Packet or some other beefy, tough vessel, it would be rather enjoyable for some. But being a "production boat", I would assume Catalina or Hunter may come into play here. My Catalina 30 winged-keel boat starts getting really skiddish with a reefed main at 25+. Hell, it gets nerve wracking, and I do not want to be there!! Indeed the best option may be well to reef, fight the weatherhelm and hold on, the vessel will take the ride, BUT, the issue of entering the harbor/marina without power is the real challenge here. That leaves the tow option next. I pay the higher premium to use Boat US towing services if I ever need them. I would without reluctance in this situation, call for a tow when as I got closer to the marina to get me in. I would be at a minimum on the VHF communicating with the harbormaster on marina conditions and assuring a tow boat may be available in a given time window. SAFETY and PRUDENCE, my fellow sailors are the mantra's here, not heroics in this matter. Bob
Its going to be one hell of a bounce in a 30 knot wind and better yet its going to be a scary scenario without power. This is an excellent classroom discussion and the results are clear that the options are few: either sail, set an anchor, attempt to start the engine (no one in the cockpit though to deal with the helm) or get a tow. Simpe as that. Its the test of character and skill. So, has anyone ever sailed in a 30 knot wind? Probably only a few who frequent this board, I bet. If the vessel was a Westsail, or an Island Packet or some other beefy, tough vessel, it would be rather enjoyable for some. But being a "production boat", I would assume Catalina or Hunter may come into play here. My Catalina 30 winged-keel boat starts getting really skiddish with a reefed main at 25+. Hell, it gets nerve wracking, and I do not want to be there!! Indeed the best option may be well to reef, fight the weatherhelm and hold on, the vessel will take the ride, BUT, the issue of entering the harbor/marina without power is the real challenge here. That leaves the tow option next. I pay the higher premium to use Boat US towing services if I ever need them. I would without reluctance in this situation, call for a tow when as I got closer to the marina to get me in. I would be at a minimum on the VHF communicating with the harbormaster on marina conditions and assuring a tow boat may be available in a given time window. SAFETY and PRUDENCE, my fellow sailors are the mantra's here, not heroics in this matter. Bob
It is not like driving your car
You actually should be prepaired for a few common situations before you go out. First and formost is the crew brief before you lift a dock line. Everyone should know what to do for MOB, fire, flooding, how to work the VHF/SSB and where all the emergency equipment is. MOST IMPORTANT: Show them where the ships books are that contain the standard operating procedures for everything needed to sail the boat. After getting this briefing most will be a little aprehensive. Knowing that there is a book that they can read that tells them what to do in such and such a situation has a calming effect on most everybody. Additionally I like to know who are my strong and weak swimmers and who knows CPR/First aid. Let them know the chain of command so that when the captain gets knocked overboard they know who is in charge. Including them in the chain of command is key as they then know that it might be up to them to make the dicisions that save your life. They then feel empowered in an emergency to "do something" Anything is better than nothing. Follow this with a sail where they, as newbies, get to hoist the main, unfurl the jib and set the sails and you have the beginnings of a successful sail no matter what happens. Let them do a turn at the helm and get them looking at a map. I have found that most of my corinthian crew enjoys this kind of treatment. They wanted to so sailing and now they are. Also, don't forget to instruct in the use of the head and where you store the bottle opener.
You actually should be prepaired for a few common situations before you go out. First and formost is the crew brief before you lift a dock line. Everyone should know what to do for MOB, fire, flooding, how to work the VHF/SSB and where all the emergency equipment is. MOST IMPORTANT: Show them where the ships books are that contain the standard operating procedures for everything needed to sail the boat. After getting this briefing most will be a little aprehensive. Knowing that there is a book that they can read that tells them what to do in such and such a situation has a calming effect on most everybody. Additionally I like to know who are my strong and weak swimmers and who knows CPR/First aid. Let them know the chain of command so that when the captain gets knocked overboard they know who is in charge. Including them in the chain of command is key as they then know that it might be up to them to make the dicisions that save your life. They then feel empowered in an emergency to "do something" Anything is better than nothing. Follow this with a sail where they, as newbies, get to hoist the main, unfurl the jib and set the sails and you have the beginnings of a successful sail no matter what happens. Let them do a turn at the helm and get them looking at a map. I have found that most of my corinthian crew enjoys this kind of treatment. They wanted to so sailing and now they are. Also, don't forget to instruct in the use of the head and where you store the bottle opener.
VHF ...
The same mystery reason that made the engine stop has also made the VHF in-op. Calling for help should be the last resort, not the first option. Just as trying to motor off the lee shore in heavy conditions is a last resort rather than a first option. When my skipper regains consciousness, she asks if everyone is ok and makes sure they have their PFD's on. She takes a look at the boats position and rate of drift. She tell everyone on board what has to happen to get the boat home, what she needs each person to do to help, and calmly proceeds to get a double reefed main up and just enough jib rolled out to balance the boat. If conditions have moderated (it was probably a line squall and the wind is dropping back down and is under 20 at this point) she talks about heaving to and tells the crew what they need to do and heaves to. 5-10 minutes to check the engine to see if it is just a clogged filter or something simple. The new filter comes out of the spares kit. The engine is started and the motorsail home gets underway. While someone else is driving the boat, our skipper puts some water on for tea or hot chocolate. No drama at all ...
The same mystery reason that made the engine stop has also made the VHF in-op. Calling for help should be the last resort, not the first option. Just as trying to motor off the lee shore in heavy conditions is a last resort rather than a first option. When my skipper regains consciousness, she asks if everyone is ok and makes sure they have their PFD's on. She takes a look at the boats position and rate of drift. She tell everyone on board what has to happen to get the boat home, what she needs each person to do to help, and calmly proceeds to get a double reefed main up and just enough jib rolled out to balance the boat. If conditions have moderated (it was probably a line squall and the wind is dropping back down and is under 20 at this point) she talks about heaving to and tells the crew what they need to do and heaves to. 5-10 minutes to check the engine to see if it is just a clogged filter or something simple. The new filter comes out of the spares kit. The engine is started and the motorsail home gets underway. While someone else is driving the boat, our skipper puts some water on for tea or hot chocolate. No drama at all ...
what would
i guess a second vhf is not part of your manifest. nor a spare gps, engine parts, etc. please explain whenever communicating is a bad idea? oh, ye hearty men.
i guess a second vhf is not part of your manifest. nor a spare gps, engine parts, etc. please explain whenever communicating is a bad idea? oh, ye hearty men.
Response to Bob's post
I have sailed in a 30+ knot wind with a Catalina 30 and a Hunter legend 37. Both did fine under double reefed main and no jib. A little wet at the helm but the boats where stable and not overpowered. This was Chesapeak bay sailing and the waves where short and steep. I really think anybody can do this in a sutably equipped boat with just a little experience. I know I did on the Catalina as I only had something like 15 hours of sailing under my belt at the time. Someone noted that reading books and courses helps. I'm not a fan of courses but the books I read certanly did help out.
I have sailed in a 30+ knot wind with a Catalina 30 and a Hunter legend 37. Both did fine under double reefed main and no jib. A little wet at the helm but the boats where stable and not overpowered. This was Chesapeak bay sailing and the waves where short and steep. I really think anybody can do this in a sutably equipped boat with just a little experience. I know I did on the Catalina as I only had something like 15 hours of sailing under my belt at the time. Someone noted that reading books and courses helps. I'm not a fan of courses but the books I read certanly did help out.
engine stalled and sails down
and they can't run with the wind (sorry...forgot about them being close to lee sometimes it's hard to visualize the situation if your not there). What to do? I would put a reefed main and try feathering into the wind around 30 degrees. The boat would make way toward windward shore where the waves will reduce, the heel will be greatly reduced, and you will be getting closer to the marina and help, the speed will reduce and the boat will be a little calm. If the marina was easy to sail into I might try that but very few are here (they are built to protect the boats) and I wouldn't want to damage other's boats. So once I got to the windward shore, I would set the anchor if shallow enough and I could get close enough to shore that there aren't any waves and then of course go down below and ride it out (try to do something to take the crew's mind off the weather like play cards). I would also take the time to see if I could fix the engine. If I didn't feel like it would be a smooth enough ride on anchor (being on anchor in waves can be very rough...been there...done that) I would try heaving to on just the main alone (already only have the main out). If that didn't work well then I would roll out some jib and do a traditional heave-to. The reason I would try to anchor if possible is because anchoring would keep me on the windward shore (assuming I got it set right) where as a heave-to would drift me back into the waves and away from the marina and help costing me more money if I had to call for a tow. Mostlikely though, by the time I would have traveled the 7 miles by feathering, the storm would have passed and things would be cool then. Thank you for the cenario. These are great questions that we should all think about before hand. Working through these now helps us when we are out there because one doesn't always think clearly when the wind is screeming at us...let alone crying and puking crew.
and they can't run with the wind (sorry...forgot about them being close to lee sometimes it's hard to visualize the situation if your not there). What to do? I would put a reefed main and try feathering into the wind around 30 degrees. The boat would make way toward windward shore where the waves will reduce, the heel will be greatly reduced, and you will be getting closer to the marina and help, the speed will reduce and the boat will be a little calm. If the marina was easy to sail into I might try that but very few are here (they are built to protect the boats) and I wouldn't want to damage other's boats. So once I got to the windward shore, I would set the anchor if shallow enough and I could get close enough to shore that there aren't any waves and then of course go down below and ride it out (try to do something to take the crew's mind off the weather like play cards). I would also take the time to see if I could fix the engine. If I didn't feel like it would be a smooth enough ride on anchor (being on anchor in waves can be very rough...been there...done that) I would try heaving to on just the main alone (already only have the main out). If that didn't work well then I would roll out some jib and do a traditional heave-to. The reason I would try to anchor if possible is because anchoring would keep me on the windward shore (assuming I got it set right) where as a heave-to would drift me back into the waves and away from the marina and help costing me more money if I had to call for a tow. Mostlikely though, by the time I would have traveled the 7 miles by feathering, the storm would have passed and things would be cool then. Thank you for the cenario. These are great questions that we should all think about before hand. Working through these now helps us when we are out there because one doesn't always think clearly when the wind is screeming at us...let alone crying and puking crew.
- Status