There are all aspects to heavy weather sailing and we'll touch on a few. It is different for everybody, not only because of our personalities, but our capabilities and those of the boat. When we think of heavy seas, we conjure up storm conditions, pouring rain, breaking seas, and more. Some of that is a reality, some not. So let's get it in some sort of perspective.
First, you don't just leave without checking the weather. Some still do. Why? They have their two weeks off and nothing stops them, even common sense. They might think they can out run the weatherin a sailboat? Are you kidding me? They might feel it will veer off or take longer to get to them. I know you only have a certain window of opportunity to get away, and that is when disaster strikes. It is in the papers & internet with the coast guard there. They seem to save us from ourselves, time after time. That's one organization I must tip my hat to.
Being prudent is key. Check the weather how it is nowseas, wind, etc. Know when the last weather front came through and when the next will come. Here's a general scenarioit's Monday and they call for rain tomorrow, Tuesdaythat would mean (generally) that a low pressure system is approaching bringing rain. They say it will stop raining Wednesday afternoon with clearing over night. That would mean the low will pass with the rain and (generally) bring in a high pressure system. A high usually comes in with gusty winds and settles down giving those nice blue skies. This will last until the next system approaches. During the spring and fall seasons, the systems can come day after day.
During the summertime, it's best to wait for the low to pass and set sail then, given that the next system is a few days away. Travel from harbor to harbor during the pleasant weather. Granted, not all weather systems will work like this. Always err on the side of caution.
There are times when facing heavy weather is inevitable. Sometimes you're on an extended sail and a fast approaching weather system comes in or one that formed quickly out of nowhere veers your way. This has happened to me repeatedly. It's much easier to handle this weather offshore than coastal. Even when the winds blow up to 40 knots, the seas are not breaking, even though they are high and large.
Earlier we talked about getting things in perspective. When sailing offshore, it does not turn instantly wild. Even if someone turned a switch to make 30 or 35 knot winds blow all of a sudden, the seas would slowly start rising. Of course you would shorten your sails, if you knew a blow was coming, you would have shortened your sails already. But as mentioned, seas build slowly taking days, but sometimes just hours, depending on the how fast the winds build. Wind is what lifts the sea up in waves. So this period of time as the wind builds, and seas build, gives you time to adjust your sailing. You shorten your sails or you may opt to put up your storm sails, below you would close the hatches, windows, put loose equipment and accessories away so nothing flies around. Then on deck, anything not needed gets stowed, anything that can get airborne is also stowed or tied down. Foul weather clothes are donned and some soup/nourishment consumed to keep up strength.
Offshore, when the seas rise, upon the rise sits an elongated flat area, followed by a ride down. In-shore, the waves become steep and short, presenting different problems. In general, the high and long offshore waves will test your sailing skills. Keeping the sails short enough keeps the heeling at a minimum and your sea motion is okay. See, your working into the building conditions. In 30 knot winds you can still be on a close reach, taking the seas head on. As the wind and seas build even more, you will find the tops of the seas that were once long & flat are getting shorter in length. I've stayed in a close reach in a steady 38 knots with gusts 42-45. Again, if you don't have out too much sail, you won't be wildly heeling over and hanging on. The right sails out bring the right motion. If the wind builds higher, this is where things change, your destination becomes second to anything else. Once you realize this and don't fight to get to your destination, you got it beat. You have to remember this storm is not going to last forever. It will blow itself out, and this front will move on. So when I said destination becomes second, then what is first? Your boat's sailing characteristics. I have found through the years that all sailboats have their own best point of sail. This is when the sailboat feels comfortable. Some sailboats can head into those seas better than others, falling off and running is fine also, because you have a wider angle to work with. You want to have enough sail out so when the seas come up behind you, it doesn't swallow your stern. Sometimes idling your engine in forward gear gives you enough momentum to slide in front of the seas, because the seas itself are blocking the wind and leaves youwell dangling in a sort of doldrums till some wind fills your sails. By that time, your stern may be under some water. I've been there, learned that lesson quickly, seeing the seas engulf my stern. So now you just find the sweet spot of the boat's characteristics to the seas at hand. Think of it as the fluidity in Jujitsu. One move just flows into the next. The wind and seas keep up their movement hour after hour, waves coming in the same direction along with the wind, now put in the your sailboat there moving along at the right speed, not heeling wildly even in gusts, using it's best point of sail, engine idling in forward gear, whether it is into the seas or away. You'll find the pulse of the wind and seas and ride it through.
First, you don't just leave without checking the weather. Some still do. Why? They have their two weeks off and nothing stops them, even common sense. They might think they can out run the weatherin a sailboat? Are you kidding me? They might feel it will veer off or take longer to get to them. I know you only have a certain window of opportunity to get away, and that is when disaster strikes. It is in the papers & internet with the coast guard there. They seem to save us from ourselves, time after time. That's one organization I must tip my hat to.
Being prudent is key. Check the weather how it is nowseas, wind, etc. Know when the last weather front came through and when the next will come. Here's a general scenarioit's Monday and they call for rain tomorrow, Tuesdaythat would mean (generally) that a low pressure system is approaching bringing rain. They say it will stop raining Wednesday afternoon with clearing over night. That would mean the low will pass with the rain and (generally) bring in a high pressure system. A high usually comes in with gusty winds and settles down giving those nice blue skies. This will last until the next system approaches. During the spring and fall seasons, the systems can come day after day.
During the summertime, it's best to wait for the low to pass and set sail then, given that the next system is a few days away. Travel from harbor to harbor during the pleasant weather. Granted, not all weather systems will work like this. Always err on the side of caution.
There are times when facing heavy weather is inevitable. Sometimes you're on an extended sail and a fast approaching weather system comes in or one that formed quickly out of nowhere veers your way. This has happened to me repeatedly. It's much easier to handle this weather offshore than coastal. Even when the winds blow up to 40 knots, the seas are not breaking, even though they are high and large.
Earlier we talked about getting things in perspective. When sailing offshore, it does not turn instantly wild. Even if someone turned a switch to make 30 or 35 knot winds blow all of a sudden, the seas would slowly start rising. Of course you would shorten your sails, if you knew a blow was coming, you would have shortened your sails already. But as mentioned, seas build slowly taking days, but sometimes just hours, depending on the how fast the winds build. Wind is what lifts the sea up in waves. So this period of time as the wind builds, and seas build, gives you time to adjust your sailing. You shorten your sails or you may opt to put up your storm sails, below you would close the hatches, windows, put loose equipment and accessories away so nothing flies around. Then on deck, anything not needed gets stowed, anything that can get airborne is also stowed or tied down. Foul weather clothes are donned and some soup/nourishment consumed to keep up strength.
Offshore, when the seas rise, upon the rise sits an elongated flat area, followed by a ride down. In-shore, the waves become steep and short, presenting different problems. In general, the high and long offshore waves will test your sailing skills. Keeping the sails short enough keeps the heeling at a minimum and your sea motion is okay. See, your working into the building conditions. In 30 knot winds you can still be on a close reach, taking the seas head on. As the wind and seas build even more, you will find the tops of the seas that were once long & flat are getting shorter in length. I've stayed in a close reach in a steady 38 knots with gusts 42-45. Again, if you don't have out too much sail, you won't be wildly heeling over and hanging on. The right sails out bring the right motion. If the wind builds higher, this is where things change, your destination becomes second to anything else. Once you realize this and don't fight to get to your destination, you got it beat. You have to remember this storm is not going to last forever. It will blow itself out, and this front will move on. So when I said destination becomes second, then what is first? Your boat's sailing characteristics. I have found through the years that all sailboats have their own best point of sail. This is when the sailboat feels comfortable. Some sailboats can head into those seas better than others, falling off and running is fine also, because you have a wider angle to work with. You want to have enough sail out so when the seas come up behind you, it doesn't swallow your stern. Sometimes idling your engine in forward gear gives you enough momentum to slide in front of the seas, because the seas itself are blocking the wind and leaves youwell dangling in a sort of doldrums till some wind fills your sails. By that time, your stern may be under some water. I've been there, learned that lesson quickly, seeing the seas engulf my stern. So now you just find the sweet spot of the boat's characteristics to the seas at hand. Think of it as the fluidity in Jujitsu. One move just flows into the next. The wind and seas keep up their movement hour after hour, waves coming in the same direction along with the wind, now put in the your sailboat there moving along at the right speed, not heeling wildly even in gusts, using it's best point of sail, engine idling in forward gear, whether it is into the seas or away. You'll find the pulse of the wind and seas and ride it through.
About the Author:
Captain Douglas Malat co-created YachtAuthority.com, a website where you will find sailing ships for sale in your area. Click here for article submissions.
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