Dealing with strong gusts.

[Greene]

Last weekend we had Wrinkles out in winds around 18  - 20 mph with good gusts to add to the fun.  We put 2 reefs in the main and rolled the jib furler enough to match the reduced main area.  This combo worked great and the boat still scooted along at hull speed.  Even though some of the gusts were so strong that we still put the rail into the water, it turned out to be a fun and comfortable sail.

When we were sailing close to the wind and strong gusts came up we didn't have much room left to point into the gust before we started to luff.  Falling off a few degrees just before a gust reaches us to give us a little more pointing room seems to help.  This gives us a few seconds of extra time to ride out the gust before we start luffing.  

Curious what others do to ride out gusts.

Mike and B

[Joseph]

In my early sailing times when referring to gusts we used to talk about "knockers" and "lifters". However, the difference between them depends more on the boat speed and its angle to the wind than on the wind itself. "Knockers" were gusts of apparent wind (i.e., the wind felt inside the boat) blowing at a relative large angle to the bow such that the boat did not have the speed or the ability to adjust to it by heading up without loosing speed (and without broaching). "Lifters" were gusts that the boat could head up into while increasing speed. You'd like to receive a "knocker" pointing into it and/or ready to luff the sail as needed to minimize its "knocking" potential. As for the "lifters" just head up into it without luffing and "catch the lift" as the boat surges into and the apparent wind moves forward. But beware, if between gusts the boat slows down too much and its point of sail is not adjusted accordingly, the apparent wind will move aft and the next gust (even if the true wind does not shift) may be a "knocker"... Enjoy the exhilaration!

J.

[skip1930]

We had a big steady 60 deg F, not so gusty, Southwest wind of 30 to 35 mph with plenty of white caps being blown off the wave crests in the Bay of Green Bay yesterday so I put in my Jiffy Reef that my main sail came with from Johnson Sails.

~Put the one reefing cringle on the main sail into the hook at the gooseneck, this is the new tac, and at the dock raise the main sail enough to keep this cringle from falling out.
~Roll the sail into the top'O boom and use the two lines through the sail to tie this roll onto the boom. Skipper has to provide these two lines. Use 'small stuff'.
~The new clew at the bottom of the leech is another cringle. A line from this cringle to the back of the boom through the block is tied to the cleat on the boom.
~Hint:Tie the new cringle-clew DOWN onto the boom. Plus this pulls the leech tight and keeps the boom horizontal, so your not going to whack yourself in the head.
~Lower the main, rubber band it off, and motor out of the harbor into the rough.
~Raise the main and get things squared away.
~And last since it's 'white-cappy' out there employ a little tension on the boom vang.

Go sailing as you normally would, I used my 155% headsail lapper and had a wonderful and fast sail. When a strong gust hits play out a little more main sheet to depower. Then pull it back in after the gust goes away.

Left at 11:00 and came back at 4:00 GREAT!!

skip.

[kickingbug1]

   mike you know us we just yell "whoa!"

[slowshoes]

We had a big steady 60 deg F, not so gusty, Southwest wind of 30 to 35 mph with plenty of white caps being blown off the wave crests in the Bay of Green Bay yesterday so I put in my Jiffy Reef that my main sail came with from Johnson Sails.

~Put the one reefing cringle on the main sail into the hook at the gooseneck, this is the new tac, and at the dock raise the main sail enough to keep this cringle from falling out.
~Roll the sail into the top'O boom and use the two lines through the sail to tie this roll onto the boom. Skipper has to provide these two lines. Use 'small stuff'.
~The new clew at the bottom of the leech is another cringle. A line from this cringle to the back of the boom through the block is tied to the cleat on the boom.
~Hint:Tie the new cringle-clew DOWN onto the boom. Plus this pulls the leech tight and keeps the boom horizontal, so your not going to whack yourself in the head.
~Lower the main, rubber band it off, and motor out of the harbor into the rough.
~Raise the main and get things squared away.
~And last since it's 'white-cappy' out there employ a little tension on the boom vang.

Go sailing as you normally would, I used my 155% headsail lapper and had a wonderful and fast sail. When a strong gust hits play out a little more main sheet to depower. Then pull it back in after the gust goes away.

Left at 11:00 and came back at 4:00 GREAT!!

skip.

   Skip,

You had a single reefed main and a 155 genny out in 35 mph winds? That's a solid force 7 wind - a near gale on the Beaufort scale. I don't know how you didn't capsize or tear your sail to ribbons as much as the sails would need to be scandalized in those conditions. (to keep her from being overwelmed).

I haven't sailed my new to me 16 yet as I'm still working on her. I've been out in force 7 winds in my 32 foot cutter and a double or even triple reefed main and a staysail is plenty. Downwind I like to just use the staysail as it lessens any weather helm. It surprising how much speed that small sail gives us in such conditions.

To be fair, I've only been out in Lake Erie in such winds. The size and especially the steepness of the waves has to be seen to be believed. The only place I would want to be in those seas with regards to my 16 is tied safely to the dock.

  Fair winds,
   Bill

[Bob23]

   Hmmm....every time I hear the word "knockers" I can't help but think of the movie "Young Frankenstein." But that's another story for another time!
  First, let me say that my 23, and other 23ers seem to agree, that they seem to like the first reef tied in at about 15 knots of wind. Because of the rounded underbody, they do seem to heel rather easily but I kinda like that. When they are over canvased, they seem to lay over a bit before using that energy for forward motion.
  If I'm out and the wind picks up, I have no problem reefing the main. I've done it a hundred times, sometimes in pretty high winds but nothing like Skips 35 mph although I'd like to try a double reefed main and maybe 50% of the genoa. Even then I think I'd be in for a wild ride.
  I'd rather not point the boat too high but rather maintain the course to keep up speed and, when Mr. Gust comes along, depower the main by letting the mainsheet out a bit. My father in law always taught me to keep the mainsheet in your hand at all times. I can't say I follow that advice on my 23 but when sailing the famous AMF Force 5 "Linda Gale", it is a must. Cleating the mainsheet in high winds means a dip in the Barnegat Bay!

 Bob23

[skip1930]

The wind was so steady and the seas at about 4 to 6 foot that a 2-1/2 hour reach going out became a 2-1/2 hour reach back to the dock. It turned out to be very pleasent day.

With no particular direction to go the course was set simply by the wind. I took on zero water, and no splash over the bow. At the turn~around point I heaved to for about 5 minutes to pee, change the C.D. and eat and drink a little something. I had to do a lot of tiller work crawling over the waves both ways. And I never let go of the main sheet and never toyed with the head sail once all my tell tails were plastered horizontally on the sails. I did start to round up a few times and let out the main a whole bunch-fast.

This was one of the best sailing days I ever had. Almost made Green Island before turning around. From BayShip Building to Quarry Park [Center Gong Bouy] in 50 minutes. That's hauling tail.

The CP-19 really came through. I only have one reef to use in this main. Never any fear. I have had to beat into the wind with waves I could not see over from the bottom of the trough...that was a miserable, wet, frenzied, and cold ride. Don't do that.

skip.

[Cevin c Taylor]

To be fair, I've only been out in Lake Erie in such winds. The size and especially the steepness of the waves has to be seen to be believed. The only place I would want to be in those seas with regards to my 16 is tied safely to the dock.

Bill - where in Lake Erie do you sail?  I sometimes sail out of Sterling State Park in Monroe, MI.

[slowshoes]

To be fair, I've only been out in Lake Erie in such winds. The size and especially the steepness of the waves has to be seen to be believed. The only place I would want to be in those seas with regards to my 16 is tied safely to the dock.

Bill - where in Lake Erie do you sail?  I sometimes sail out of Sterling State Park in Monroe, MI.

  We keep our 32 a bit further south at Toledo Beach Marina. We just hauled out today - early for us, but the water levels are low this year.  With the strong winds out of the west and northwest that are normal for October, we were afraid we might be on bottom when we really wanted to haul out. Our rigger told us that boats that draw 6.5 feet and above (we draw 5 ) are already on bottom.

  Here's a pic of our boat - if you make it that far south next year, stop by and chat.




  How's the boat launch at Sterling for the 16?

[Cevin c Taylor]

  We keep our 32 a bit further south at Toledo Beach Marina. We just hauled out today - early for us, but the water levels are low this year.  With the strong winds out of the west and northwest that are normal for October, we were afraid we might be on bottom when we really wanted to haul out. Our rigger told us that boats that draw 6.5 feet and above (we draw 5 ) are already on bottom.

  How's the boat launch at Sterling for the 16?

Beautiful boat!  I'll try to take you up on stopping by.  The ramp at Sterling State Park is great for the 16.  You launch into what is essentially a nice sheltered pond, and then follow a channel several hundred yards out into the lake.

[slowshoes]

  We keep our 32 a bit further south at Toledo Beach Marina. We just hauled out today - early for us, but the water levels are low this year.  With the strong winds out of the west and northwest that are normal for October, we were afraid we might be on bottom when we really wanted to haul out. Our rigger told us that boats that draw 6.5 feet and above (we draw 5 ) are already on bottom.

  How's the boat launch at Sterling for the 16?

Beautiful boat!  I'll try to take you up on stopping by.  The ramp at Sterling State Park is great for the 16.  You launch into what is essentially a nice sheltered pond, and then follow a channel several hundred yards out into the lake.

  Thanks for the kind words regarding are boat wolverine - we've owned her for 25 years now, so it's a part of our family to be sure. I will have to check out Sterling for launching our 16 on occasion. I think there's a campground there too, right? Maybe my wife and I will try a combination sail/camp weekend there.

  Feel free to stop on by next season - we are on the Pelee row of docks at TBM. It's nice because you can drive your car right up to the dock.

            Bill

[Cevin c Taylor]

[think there's a campground there too, right? Maybe my wife and I will try a combination sail/camp weekend there.

 

There is a campground there.  I've never stayed in it - not much shade - but the facilities look decent.