Hello Everyone, When a gust of wind comes along and the boat heels to a rather uncomfortable level (e.g. 30-35 degrees)should one try to turn the boat down wind, let out the sail, turn into the wind, or just let the gust pass? Since I generally am not sailing along any particular course, I usually just let the gust pass. But last time I sailed on a gusty day, my passengers got a little frantic when the boat heeled that far. They wanted me to react in some way. I would like to know what experienced sailors do. Melody Miller sv Spice of Life
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its part of sailing
My boat heals that far anyway. And any more wind, at that degree of heeling, just blows out of the sails. But it sure can scare the bejeebers out of you! If there are a lot of gusts, and not some flukes or three, I reef in the sails. Or let out the main and jib a bit. I have a cutter rig, so I have a lot of options. This past year I ran into that situation with some guests. A friend, who purports to being an experienced sailor was at the helm, and in charge of the sails. I let him go till it became apparent he didn't have a clue as to what was going on. So in a motherly fashion, I adjusted everything and...ta-da...the boat sat up to a comfortable 20 degrees, we went just as fast, things didn't break, and he didn't get it. Oh he mentioned it, but promptly forgot it. So what do I do? Adjust your sails as needed for the conditions and crew.
My boat heals that far anyway. And any more wind, at that degree of heeling, just blows out of the sails. But it sure can scare the bejeebers out of you! If there are a lot of gusts, and not some flukes or three, I reef in the sails. Or let out the main and jib a bit. I have a cutter rig, so I have a lot of options. This past year I ran into that situation with some guests. A friend, who purports to being an experienced sailor was at the helm, and in charge of the sails. I let him go till it became apparent he didn't have a clue as to what was going on. So in a motherly fashion, I adjusted everything and...ta-da...the boat sat up to a comfortable 20 degrees, we went just as fast, things didn't break, and he didn't get it. Oh he mentioned it, but promptly forgot it. So what do I do? Adjust your sails as needed for the conditions and crew.
depends on your point of sail
Melody, It would depend a little bit on your point of sail but for the most part, drop the traveler in a gust to keep your heading. If the gust is strong or you cannot react with the traveler fast enough you may have to round up or turn into the gust. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Melody, It would depend a little bit on your point of sail but for the most part, drop the traveler in a gust to keep your heading. If the gust is strong or you cannot react with the traveler fast enough you may have to round up or turn into the gust. Tom s/v Orion's Child
Re _ Wind Gusts
there are lots of things you can do. The options depend on boat size. For instance if you are on smaller boat (up to 38 feet) release the main sheet. This of course works on a bigger boat but in many case adjusting the travler or reefing should be enough to handle 30 - 35 MPH wind. If you get scared you have three options, point the boat into the wind, turn the boat in the direction of the wind, or release the main / jib sheets. All will work except there was one time the wind was so strong I could not get the boat into the wind. Water started coming into the boat. I turned and ran with the wind and the gunnel came out of the water! That was on a 12' day sailor.
there are lots of things you can do. The options depend on boat size. For instance if you are on smaller boat (up to 38 feet) release the main sheet. This of course works on a bigger boat but in many case adjusting the travler or reefing should be enough to handle 30 - 35 MPH wind. If you get scared you have three options, point the boat into the wind, turn the boat in the direction of the wind, or release the main / jib sheets. All will work except there was one time the wind was so strong I could not get the boat into the wind. Water started coming into the boat. I turned and ran with the wind and the gunnel came out of the water! That was on a 12' day sailor.
Head up or Let Out
I usually head up a little in a gust because it is easier than letting out the main. If you are on a set course easing the main will keep you on course. If the gusts are infrequent then I don't reef but if the gusts are frequent a reef in the main usually calms things down. It isn't good sailing but I like to dip the rail especially if the gust isn't too strong. After a summer of light breezes we've really enjoyed the stronger winds of October!!! If you take a heading off the wind a little more then when you head up the effects are greater without flapping.
I usually head up a little in a gust because it is easier than letting out the main. If you are on a set course easing the main will keep you on course. If the gusts are infrequent then I don't reef but if the gusts are frequent a reef in the main usually calms things down. It isn't good sailing but I like to dip the rail especially if the gust isn't too strong. After a summer of light breezes we've really enjoyed the stronger winds of October!!! If you take a heading off the wind a little more then when you head up the effects are greater without flapping.
Melody,
All these answers are correct. What I do : if I see winds over 15 knots when I am at the Marina (Holiday point) ,I reef the main. Chances are that we will get big gusts on the South River near Turkey Point and it will calm down once you have cleared the red marker . example from yesterday ; Thomas point winds 19 kts / gusts 22 kts / Turkey point gusts 30 kts Philip
All these answers are correct. What I do : if I see winds over 15 knots when I am at the Marina (Holiday point) ,I reef the main. Chances are that we will get big gusts on the South River near Turkey Point and it will calm down once you have cleared the red marker . example from yesterday ; Thomas point winds 19 kts / gusts 22 kts / Turkey point gusts 30 kts Philip
Adjust the sails
If you do nothing, you will have a weather helm and automatically head into the wind. When we encounter gusts, our order of action is 1 - Lower the traveller, 2 - Ease the mainsheet, 3 - Ease the genoa sheets. For 95% of gusts, we only have to lower the traveller a little. The polars on our boat show the optimal angle of heel is between 20 and 30 degrees.
If you do nothing, you will have a weather helm and automatically head into the wind. When we encounter gusts, our order of action is 1 - Lower the traveller, 2 - Ease the mainsheet, 3 - Ease the genoa sheets. For 95% of gusts, we only have to lower the traveller a little. The polars on our boat show the optimal angle of heel is between 20 and 30 degrees.
Heading Up limits
I had an experience once with a friend at the helm of myt Kittiwake 23, where we were hit by a gust and he just tried to head up. The problem was we had heeled so far so fast that the rudder did not have any bite, so we got knocked down. As she was designed to do, she self-rescued when the mainsail spilled the air, and the keel ballast righted her, bow to the wind. So if you are getting nervous, let out some sheet to depower! (I am assuming you are sailing to windward). Now in my presnt boat, a Picnic Cat,I have recently learned the counter-intuitive strategy of raising the board a bit to allow more leeway to prevent the boat from heeling more than she (or me and/or my crew) likes! But not during a gust- not enough time. Roger Cape Cod
I had an experience once with a friend at the helm of myt Kittiwake 23, where we were hit by a gust and he just tried to head up. The problem was we had heeled so far so fast that the rudder did not have any bite, so we got knocked down. As she was designed to do, she self-rescued when the mainsail spilled the air, and the keel ballast righted her, bow to the wind. So if you are getting nervous, let out some sheet to depower! (I am assuming you are sailing to windward). Now in my presnt boat, a Picnic Cat,I have recently learned the counter-intuitive strategy of raising the board a bit to allow more leeway to prevent the boat from heeling more than she (or me and/or my crew) likes! But not during a gust- not enough time. Roger Cape Cod
Quick reaction
If you can see the gust effect on the water and can react fast enough, simply steer into a beam reach with the apparent wind coming over the side at 90 degrees. You'll be surprised how well this works, calming the boat. Then you can steer back to your course.
If you can see the gust effect on the water and can react fast enough, simply steer into a beam reach with the apparent wind coming over the side at 90 degrees. You'll be surprised how well this works, calming the boat. Then you can steer back to your course.
Wow Bill Give a newby a Break
Melody Bill is pulling your leg. The worst thing that you can do when heeling excessively is to catch the wind on the beam!!!
Melody Bill is pulling your leg. The worst thing that you can do when heeling excessively is to catch the wind on the beam!!!
agree with tcbro
Agree with Tom, drop the traveler need more relief? let the genoa out a bit, then trim everything again and power back up! a.
Agree with Tom, drop the traveler need more relief? let the genoa out a bit, then trim everything again and power back up! a.
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