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Thanks to all who responded. The picture of the sailboat and
powerboat in big waves looks to me like an accident waiting to
happen. I clearly have much more to learn about heavy weather
sailing. I'm basically a cautious person, and am very aware of the
dangers while on the water. I'm trying to use my local lake as a
training ground to get experience for the day when I may retire and
go to sea. This year (when I'm done building my birdwatcher style
sailboat) I'll be specifically going out in stronger and stronger
weather to slowly get more experience.
Thanks again to all on the list for your shared knowledge. I'm sure
there are many others on the list whom never chime in, but still get
something from reading.
Chris Curtis
On Mar 22, 2007, at 7:27 AM, Rosalie B. wrote:
> On Thu, 22 Mar 2007 01:20:43 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:
>
> >Chris,
> >
> > To heave-to you tack the boat and do not put the fore-sail
> through so the boat stops dead ( in-irons it is sometime called )
> So you have the fore-sail pushing the bow around one way but the
> helm ( tiller or wheell) hard over the other way pushing it back.
> >
> > The boat will not sit directly into the wind but a few degrees
> off - depends on the hull shape, windage etc.. So you will find
> that one tack may be more confortable than the other.
> >
> > In my experience heaving-to is fine if the sea state is pretty
> calm, but if there are sizeable waves or swell it is not a very
> good idea.
> >
> This depends a lot on the underbody of the boat. A full keel boat
> will heave to VERY nicely in heavy weather. A fin keel boat will not,
> and may indeed be beam to the waves as you note. Such a boat may have
> to run downwind. So many modern boats have a fin keel that the
> expertise in heaving to has been essentially lost.
>
> > Thr waves and wind will not necesserally be going in the same
> direction, waves build up over time and the wind changes much
> quicker. Wind against a current or tidal flow is going to give you
> a very lumpy sea indeed.
> >
> > If the large waves do happen to come directly on to the bow when
> you are hove-to then you are in for a very uncomfortable ride, if
> they come from the beam the yacht may be fine but if they are
> breaking waves you might be rolled over and if they come from
> somewhere in between (hitting the side of the bow area) there is a
> lot of pressure on quite a weak area of construction.I do not think
> that the waves would ever hit the stern if you are hove-to ???
> >
> With the waves coming from the bow, the ride isn't at all
> uncomfortable. We went out in fairly boisterous conditions to see the
> tall ships come up the bay, and the little boys were entranced with
> the waves crashing over the portholes (non-opening) in the V-berth -
> they thought it was like an amusement park ride. We hove to for
> lunch. But we have a modified full keel cutter which is a fairly
> heavy boat.
>
> > In terms of a storm tactic I would suggest sailing out of the
> situation (could be difficult near the side of a lake - as it is
> amoungst islands on on a lee shore ) Reduce sail and try to keep
> the yacht moving in a natural way; even with no fore-sail and a
> triple reefed main you can make some headway and hand stear over
> the waves making the yacht more stable and comfortable. Otherwise
> run with the wind - reducing the apparent wind on the yacht (and
> you) - with a storm fore-sail for control.
> >
> > Alternatively use a sea anchor or drouge(s) - but I am not
> experienced in using these - could anyone else comment on their
> (actual) use ?? I have read all the theories !!!
>
> We have not used a sea anchor, but we have one. There has not been an
> opportunity to practice without the possibility of traffic running
> between us and the sea anchor.
> >
> >Chris Curtis <> wrote:
> > Religion, politics, war discussions anyone? No, just kidding.
> >
> >Hey all. I have not posted here before, primarily because I don't
> >know what I'm talking about. I have learned a few things off this
> >list (of which I'm grateful). I would like to possibly cruise when I
> >retire (as soon as I can kick the kids out to college) in 13 years.
> >I traveled throughout much of the world as a child, and I'd like to
> >do some more traveling after I'm no longer tied to my business and
> >home (here in the NW of the US). I currently have small sailboat I
> >sail on our very large lake here. I'm also building a second
> >sailboat, which should be done before the season is over.
> >I have a simple (stupid) heavy weather sailing question. I read
> >about "heaving to" quite a bit. I'm under the impression that this
>
> Having the vessel unpowered is more likely 'lying ahull'
>
> This is a reference which explains all the options
>
> http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/articledetail.html?lid=1284
>
> >is actually just pointing into the wind, and unpowered. This
> >"heaving to" is confusing to me. What if one "heave to" in bad
> >weather and the waves are NOT going the same direction as the wind.
> >Could this not be dangerous if the waves slam the side or back of
> >your vessel? Does one only heave to when changing (or adjusting)
> >sails assuming the weather is coming from the bow? Does the wind
> >always follow the wave or tide patterns. It just does not seem that
>
> No wind does not always follow the pattern of the water. When the
> wind is in opposition to the tide or current you get big waves and
> they can be very dangerous. This is a picture of a sailboat going out
> Hillsboro Inlet when the tide was going out and the wind was coming in
>
> http://p.vtourist.com/3275540-Sailboat_in_the_inlet-Pompano_Beach.jpg
>
> >clean to me. I would imagine that there are times that all three
> >forces are arriving from different directions and "heaving to" would
> >not necessarily be a "safe" move.
> >
> >I ask because I'm looking to learn about sailing in heavy weather
> >(altho right now I'm 300 miles from the sea). My lake is 40+ miles
> >long and 1000+ feet deep. The boat I'm building will allow me to
> >sail in nastier weather (it can be piloted from inside the cabin).
> >I'm hoping to learn more from that boat (as opposed to the one I
> >currently sail) when it's done. I also plan to buy the Pardee book
> >on heavy weather sailing after I'm done with buying all this epoxy
> >and glass!
> >
> >Pardon my neophyte understanding of the subject. Being able to react
> >(correctly) in bad weather is something I want to learn so I don't
> >get into trouble. Thanks to anyone who may comment (good or bad!)
>
> One of the things that is important to learn is predicting when the
> weather may get bad. But basically a well built boat should be able
> to stand way more pounding and weather than you can.
>
>
