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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Which day would you go out?

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/21/2012 : 09:41:54

We've had a pretty warm December in Maryland this year. The temperatures will be in the middle 40's this weekend, and I can dress with many layers to stay warm either Saturday or Sunday. The wind will be quite different these days, however, as you can see in the NOAA forecast:

<font size="1">CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT-
931 AM EST FRI DEC 21 2012

<font color="red">GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON</font id="red">

..REST OF TODAY
....W WINDS 20 KT WITH GUSTS TO 35 KT. WAVES 4 FT.

..TONIGHT
....W WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS TO 40 KT. WAVES 3 FT.

..SAT
....NW WINDS 25 TO 30 KT WITH GUSTS TO 45 KT. WAVES 3 FT.

..SAT NIGHT
....NW WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS TO 35 KT...BECOMING W
....10 TO 15 KT WITH GUSTS TO 25 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WAVES
....3 FT.

..SUN
....W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT WITH GUSTS TO 20 KT. WAVES 2 FT.

..SUN NIGHT
....W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. </font id="size1">

I'd like to try heaving-to in the strong winds on Saturday, to see how that goes. This would be another good time to use my preventer to avoid an accidental jibe. I can't imagine heaving to without a preventer!

In light and moderate breezes my boat balances best (hove to) with the 110 jib backwinded and slacked off quite a bit to dump wind from the jib, with the mainsheet let out about 1/3, and the tiller pushing the bow up against the force of the jib. If I keep the jibsheet tight, the bow is pushed down and the boat turns in a circle, so I dump wind from the jib and it becomes balanced.

A few weeks ago I had lunch on the boat while hove to in 5-7 kt wind, and that was very peaceful. But 25-30 kt wind may require more caution in balancing the sails and the rudder.

I've gone out in high winds other times and had a nice time flying along at hull speed with my storm jib and reefed main. So I thought this may be a good time to test how the boat can heave to in strong winds, to be ready for a future emergency. It might not be possible to heave-to with my 60% storm jib and a reefed main. But that is the setup I would always have in an emergency in high winds.

Sunday, on the other hand, would be just another cool weather sail with sunny skies and an empty Chesapeake Bay.

Which day would you go out?

JohnP
1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy"
Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay
Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 09:46:50

Not knowing your environs... I would opt for today.

I find it easier to heave to in stronger winds, but you will sideslip pretty quick in those conditions. Also 4 ft on paper is 8-10 ft in real life, but will only look like 2 ft on video.

Getting out of hove-to can be tricky in big wind. I prefer to tack the jib in these conditions. I will gybe out if the wind isn't too strong.

Keep a lookout while hove to if it is hairy out there. And keep your harness on.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 10:43:57

It depends on where you'll be sailing. If it's on a river, you could probably do OK on Saturday, especially if you have able crew. If singlehanding, or sailing in the main body of the Bay, I'd go Sunday in the more moderate winds. 20 kts is still fairly brisk, but 35 kt gusts is a lot of wind to be singlehanding where the waves are big. I've seen skilled sailors come back with broken bones in winds in the 22-25 kt range. Or, you could always stick your nose out on Saturday and see if you think you can handle it. If you don't like the feel of it, go back and try again Sunday.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 12:34:15

Thanks for your input.

By the way, on Saturday the gusts are predicted to be 45 kt, and the weather forecast in the region says wind gusts of 50 mph.

I just went shopping (outside, of course), and it's pretty cold facing into a cool wind of 25 knots.

I love sailing in the warm summer sun, and this isn't quite like that, so I think I'll relax next to a cozy fire on Saturday and consider going sailing on Sunday. If I do check out how the boat handles with the storm jib while heaving to, I'll try to get pix or a video to show how it performs.

Happy Holidays to all!

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 12:37:17

By the way, we just had our first taste of winter storm pass through Ohio, complete with a bit of snow, and the weather maps look like it's headed your way. If you sail Saturday, you might get some snow, in addition to the wind.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 12:43:02

I wouldn't go out in this storm. COOOOOOld...

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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 15:51:38

If you have never Hove to, I would try it NOT in 40 MPH gales.
I would set aside a 5-10 or 10-15 MPH day than give it a shot..CAREFULLY. If done wrong you can do ALOT of damage-accidentle gybe ETC. Heaving To is something we practice Alot-even just to have lunch. Its a great skill. Good Luck

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2012 : 16:33:46

John,

Based on the similar winds south of you, I am going to also see how Sunday shapes up for a sail.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.