Encountering storm with gusts up to 65 mph

[xuno_gil]

Hello all.

I was out on the water a day or two ago on my laser and got surprised by a very mean squall. The winds were blowing pretty consistently at about 50 mph with gust at around 65. This got me thinking, what would I do on the CP 16 if I encountered this.

I feel there are two possible options:

1. Reef both the main and jib while someone mans the tiller to try and keep the boat pointed towards the wind. As soon as the sails are reefed and secure, drop the anchor with a long line from the bow. The wind will eventually push the boat to a point where the anchor, as long as its tied to the bow, will have the boat pointed towards the wind and then once can just ride the storm out like that.

2. Reef both sails as in option 1 but instead of dropping anchor, one uses the outboard to try to keep the boat steady and pointed towards the wind while making sure the boat is not being pushed onto a shore or other objects.

I would really like to know what everyone thinks of this or if there is actually a recommend plan of action. I feel this is a must for me to know.

Thanks all

[Duckie]

I don't think I would reef the sails in that kind of wind.  I would strike them entirely and go on bare poles.  That kind of wind would perhaps shred your sails as well as almost certainly knock you down and keep you there.  If you don't have a furler on your head sail, you should have a downhaul to pull the jib all the way down to the deck.  Even if you do have a furler, it would be good to wrap the jib with a line to make sure that it doesn't come undone in that kind of blow and send you off to where you don't want to go. After the jib is hauled down, tie it down to the deck as well as bundle it tightly, or it will still act as a sail even though it is down.  Wrap the main to the boom with some kind of line or sail ties.  If you are going to haul the anchor in hopes of not ending up aground on a lee shore that should be fine.  I doubt that a small outboard would be able to even keep you head into the wind in that situation, but it would be worth a try.  I have been in that situation a couple of times, both in my weekender, and my CP 16.  The 16 was pretty calm considering and I wasn't scared, only pissed off at my furler.  Also the wind wasn't much above 35 either time.  I nearly destroyed the genoa on my 16 before I could get it tied to the forestay even though it only took me a bit more than a minute to tie it up. 

Last summer, I got knocked down on Lake Superior by a gust in the mid twenties.  I flooded the cockpit and got some water in the cabin.  I can't even imagine winds in the fifties on my sailboat.  I once stood in a steady 65, but I was 90 feet in the air and it was winter.  I almost got blown off the ore docks for real.  That kind of power is almost unimaginable when you think about it, so try not to get surprised.

Al

[jdklaser]

Bare poles.  Flip the laser on its side and hang on.  Witnessed another Laser hit by lightning in a squal.  Right down the mast and blew a hole in the mast step/bottom of the hull.  That kind of wind strength will ruin you fast.  Think small target

[wes]

3. Don't go sailing when 65 mph squalls are in the forecast. Unless you have a 100 foot boat.

[xuno_gil]

There were no such things forecasted. Around here it is the norm to see a squall in the horizon, if you don't odds are there is zero wind. Usually the squalls are not that bad and don't even come over you. On that particular day, just an hour or two previously the  forecast showed clear skies.

[tmw]

The other option would be to heave to, and wait it out in that fashion.  65 mph would put a lot of stress on sails in that condition, where bare poles sounds like a great option, although history shows being hove to is a highly effective maneuver. 

I personally have not been in such conditions, and therefore am unqualified to provide guidance, but that is based on my own research.

[HenryC]

I've never been in weather like that in a Com-pac 16, or anything comparable, but I think I have summarized the options in the article linked to below.  (Storm Management Offshore). 

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=8968.0

Of course, it all depends on wind and sea conditions, your boat, and your skill level.  My first instinct in the Com-Pac would be to take in all sail and run downwind under bare poles, with your best helmsman at the tiller (surf down the waves at an angle off the wind to avoid broaching or pitchpoling). My second choice would be to lie a-hull with the tiller lashed down to leeward, but again, that all depends on the  circumstances.

Good luck!

[Tom L.]

Unless you are on a farm pond...bend over and kiss your keel good by.

Tom L.