Down wind in strong conditions

[Ixneigh]

20-30 knots w/ maybe a few higher gusts. Sea state 3-4, steep. Course: 15 degrees off a dead run. Sails: storm jib. It can be seen in the picture.
Forecast was for wind. Left the main covered, boom lashed to cabin. Set storm jib only once out of harbor (Caesar creek, Fl. Keys) speed on shallow reach, 3.5 knots. Board down, needing to clear shallow area. appreciable leeway. Heel @ 20 degrees. Helm light. Clear shallows, turn more down wind. Speed, 5 plus in gusts. Averaging 4. Board pulled up. Course stability good. Note yacht has added skegs installed for this occasion. Helm light, mushy, but responsive. Wind whistles in the wires, heads beginning to be blown off whitecaps. Handling improves at 5 knots and Over. I’m a bit under canvassed but it’s too windy for double reefs. I need a trysail. I vow to acquire one. Best course regarding wind and sail handling has me seaward of rhumbline. Jibing the yacht is easy with the small jib. Both running backs are set up. I can jog the boat on the opposite tack without much effort, to cross back over my rhumbline. Towed kayak surfing is an issue. Fix that by tying plastic water jug on length of line and looping that over the kayak towline so the water jug trails astern of it. It prevents its misbehavior. Boat feels good and in control and is able to be brought to a beam reach for allowing a break from the helm. She will mind herself, although make heavy leeway, like this. No progress to weather could be made, though. Were conditions to worsen, the largest danger would be the kayak. I feel that in larger seas, eventually it would turn over, submerge, and be lost to a broken towline. I would put the engine down in stronger conditions. The running backs instill a bit of confidence. In larger waves surfing the yacht would become probable. I would fear losing control briefly as the wave passes under the yacht, due to having no keel. Also, while I experienced little strain on the steering, the waves today were minimal. This is the windiest I’ve ever had the boat down wind In, though. I was familiar with the waters, the destination, and areas I could anchor if a problem developed, albeit uncomfortably.
Trysail: it was too windy for double reefs safely. Jibing also become a problem. Sails with no boom are much easier. With a trysail I believe my speed might have been 6.5. Better handling. Better for towing kayak. My plan it to make a battened trysail that goes a foot above the spreader bars. It will be tied around the mast with line loops. The top foot will not be tied. The head board will be a foot long. The foot of the sail will be six feet long and will have a heavier batten. I will have to make some sheeting arrangements since the cabin top winches are in use. Here is a picture of the jib.

[Interim]

Good thinking on the sea anchor for the kayak. Why did you have the centerboard up? Were you concerned the boat would trip over it?

I'm sure it was hard to handle with the center of effort so far forward.

-john

[dlandersson]

Ditto on the board up - I would have thought you'd want it down.

Good thinking on the sea anchor for the kayak. Why did you have the centerboard up? Were you concerned the boat would trip over it?

I'm sure it was hard to handle with the center of effort so far forward.

-john

[Russ]

You sail single-handed right? How do you secure yourself in those conditions?

[yukonbob]

Board up or mostly up. As you surf you start to plane and just like motoring fast with the board down it can suddenly create lift on one side or the other and throw you into a broach. We hit 13knts one time surfing under sail white knuckles but fun

[Bobsquatch]

You sail single-handed right? How do you secure yourself in those conditions?

I know this is off topic but I single hand a lot and still have to raise and lower the main at the mast. The kill tether won't reach that far
so I don my pfd, set the autopilot into the wind, drop the swim ladder and pull the fuel line off the tank before I head up on deck. I have never gone over but the idea is if I do, my engine will quit fairly soon and drift back by me hove to as the auto pilot trys to maintain course. I have never ran out of gas on deck and it seems like a reasonable plan if the worst were to happen.

I am still pretty green but not timid. That being said, I am smart enough to know not to try that solo in 35kt winds... yet. Particularly without a harness and lifeline. What do you guys think of my technique? In fair weather at least?

I am an experienced captain but an inexperienced sailor of less than 100 hours but I am comfortable, especially with my 90hp there to back me up. I very much want to gain enough experience to handle 30kts+ single handed in my sissy little trailer sailor when conditions allow as well as to know when to stay in port. Stories like this downhill run inspire me.

Btw, I plan to have all lines to the cockpit this spring.

[yukonbob]

Bob,

Next time it’s blowing 20-30knts put a double reef in the main dockside and if you can hoist it at the dock and motor sail out if your marina/dock allows for it (ie straight run into the wind out to your sailing grounds. Leave the headsail furled and just play with the main. You’ll be surprised how slow and safe you’ll be sailing while still in control. Add some headsail 1/3 at a time. That’s where your real power comes from. Next thing you know you’ll have an ear to ear grin as your bash through the waves getting soaked from the spray.

[Russ]

I know this is off topic but I single hand a lot and still have to raise and lower the main at the mast. The kill tether won't reach that far
so I don my pfd, set the autopilot into the wind, drop the swim ladder and pull the fuel line off the tank before I head up on deck. I have never gone over but the idea is if I do, my engine will quit fairly soon and drift back by me hove to as the auto pilot trys to maintain course. I have never ran out of gas on deck and it seems like a reasonable plan if the worst were to happen.

Wow! That's a very clever plan. Well thought out.

[buck_justice]

Trail a line with a float attached
Buck

[Jimmyt]

You sail single-handed right? How do you secure yourself in those conditions?

I know this is off topic but I single hand a lot and still have to raise and lower the main at the mast. The kill tether won't reach that far
so I don my pfd, set the autopilot into the wind, drop the swim ladder and pull the fuel line off the tank before I head up on deck. I have never gone over but the idea is if I do, my engine will quit fairly soon and drift back by me hove to as the auto pilot trys to maintain course. I have never ran out of gas on deck and it seems like a reasonable plan if the worst were to happen.

I am still pretty green but not timid. That being said, I am smart enough to know not to try that solo in 35kt winds... yet. Particularly without a harness and lifeline. What do you guys think of my technique? In fair weather at least?

I am an experienced captain but an inexperienced sailor of less than 100 hours but I am comfortable, especially with my 90hp there to back me up. I very much want to gain enough experience to handle 30kts+ single handed in my sissy little trailer sailor when conditions allow as well as to know when to stay in port. Stories like this downhill run inspire me.

Btw, I plan to have all lines to the cockpit this spring.

Where are you sailing (sorry if I missed this somewhere)? 30 kts + can be several different experiences, depending on what body of water you're in. Make sure, if you tether, that your tether length keeps you IN the boat, and doesn't dangle you over the side with no way to climb back in.

I like the plan. Lots of great thought in it. Adding a drag line and float would be a great addition to the plan. The drag line will give you a bigger target to shoot at when the boat comes back by. With our windage, you will be surprised how fast it's moving in 30+ knots - in whatever partially hove-to attitude it's in. Hopefully, you're a strong swimmer. I'm assumng you're in water that will allow you to remain coherent and functioning for a significant period, or you're wearing a survival suit?

You will be pleasantly surprised at what you and your boat can do as you get accustomed to it. My best advice to you, stay in the boat. Lines aft is a good idea. Reef early, reef often, when single-handing. Avoid having to go on deck in a blow. Do this by watching the weather and by reefing heavily before setting out in a blow that's on-going.

Can't wait till you're posting your own downhill run stories!

[Bobsquatch]

Bob,

Next time it’s blowing 20-30knts put a double reef in the main dockside and if you can hoist it at the dock and motor sail out if your marina/dock allows for it (ie straight run into the wind out to your sailing grounds. Leave the headsail furled and just play with the main. You’ll be surprised how slow and safe you’ll be sailing while still in control. Add some headsail 1/3 at a time. That’s where your real power comes from. Next thing you know you’ll have an ear to ear grin as your bash through the waves getting soaked from the spray.

Great info Bob, thank you.

I only have a single reef main and its not feasible to hoist at my dock. I have in the past dropped anchor in the channel, hoisted the main, picked my moment to hastily weigh anchor and scrambled to the cockpit to gain control. If I went over the side then, I would have a great view of my sailing into the jetty.

[Bobsquatch]

Wow! That's a very clever plan. Well thought out.
[/quote]



Thanks Russ

[Bobsquatch]

Trail a line with a float attached
Buck

That is a good idea Buck. Thank you.

[Bobsquatch]

Hi Jimmy.

I'm in San Diego so the seas are deep enough for 30+kts most of the time. Confused and or steep seas happen but are fairly infrequent. I will be tethered when single handing in any weather. The drag line is obvious now that it's been said. Can you imagine swimming fairly hard to intercept your drifting boat, getting a hand on it and it still gets by you! Normally you could catch up but now your too tired to be fast. That would be a rough moment watching your life drift away. Sadly we know that has happened more than once...
I can handle down to 56F for about 3 hours with no I'll effects in my custom survival suit I've been working on for the last 20 years. It's a 60/40 blend of carbs and alcohol Also, I think I qualify for marine mammal protections.

[Jimmyt]

Hi Jimmy.

I'm in San Diego so the seas are deep enough for 30+kts most of the time. Confused and or steep seas happen but are fairly infrequent. I will be tethered when single handing in any weather. The drag line is obvious now that it's been said. Can you imagine swimming fairly hard to intercept your drifting boat, getting a hand on it and it still gets by you! Normally you could catch up but now your too tired to be fast. That would be a rough moment watching your life drift away. Sadly we know that has happened more than once...
I can handle down to 56F for about 3 hours with no I'll effects in my custom survival suit I've been working on for the last 20 years. It's a 60/40 blend of carbs and alcohol Also, I think I qualify for marine mammal protections.

Nice! I watched a father and 4 kids get ejected form a hobie cat due to the quick onset of a storm. Fortunately, Mobile Bay is shallow enough and they weren't out far, so neighbors assisted with getting the kids in. The trampoline swung around and made a downhill run dragging the mast and sails behind. I left the wharf when it was maybe 1/4 mile upwind of me. Barely grabbed a halyard as it went by. Drag line might just make the difference...

You got me at first with the custom survival suit, but after you disclosed the materials of construction, I think I'll skip the pic request.

If your day job plays out, you've got a future in stand-up!