Two Secrets to Gain Confidence in Rough Weather Sailing
Imagine sailing in 25+ knots of winds and a stiff 2-3 foot chop. How can you keep your sailboat driving and on her feet--even if you've waited too long to reef the mainsail? Follow this easy sailing skipper guide to help you get started the right way today!
Practice Sailing in Higher Winds
Find an area where you and your sailing crew or partner can sail in high winds in controlled conditions (i.e. a range of about 15 - 25 knots). A few years ago, I spent several weeks in San Francisco Bay. I had heard that it was one of the best sailing areas in North America. I was not disappointed.
Summer provides predictable, consistent high wind sailing conditions. Winds are not too high, but not too low, either. Perfect for training! The moment you "round the breakwater" of a marina, you would often encounter 15+ knots of wind and a one- to three-foot chop on the water.
Those winds might increase to around twenty to twenty-five knots by the afternoon. Then, the wind would lighten up so that by early evening, the Bay was as docile as a lamb. This cycle repeated like clockwork day after day to provide an ideal environment to hone heavy weather sailing skills.
You can count on reefing more times while sailing the Bay than you've probably done in an entire sailing season. Plus, you get a nice chop to practice timing your tacks and jibes. Crew communications are critical when tacking or jibing in high winds. Preparation will be the key to success.
My second trip to San Francisco Bay was to take an advanced sailing seamanship course, where everything from docking, undocking, entering and exiting the marina, and sailing on the Bay was done under sail alone.
One of our drills was to sail the boat 'over-canvassed' with a full main and working jib in gusty, high winds. The goal was to learn how to control the boat when you have too much sail up and no time (or room) to reef. I remember that day well. It was blowing 25+ knots with higher gusts and we had a stiff three-foot chop.
Traveler down, tighten the backstay (only if you have a specially made 'adjustable' backstay). You can play the mainsheet like a dinghy sailor in the higher gusts to control heeling. Ease the sail (twist) just as the gust arrives. Trim her in again the moment the gust departs. Sailing skills like these build confidence fast.
Practice Sailing with Heavy Weather Sails
If you purchase a storm jib this sailing season and are heading offshore, take some time to learn how to use the sail with a reefed main. Do this before you have to use them in tough weather. That's not a good time to conduct a test sail with "never been out of the bag" storm sails.
I made that mistake with a storm jib I bought from a discount warehouse back in the 80s. The sail was left in the bag and shoved up into the v-berth on my live-aboard Cape Dory sailboat. I first hoisted that sail in a moderate gale on the Chesapeake Bay. I could not point higher than about 75-degrees. The sail was the wrong size and cut for the boat.
Lesson learned? Test your storm sails under controlled conditions BEFORE you have to use them in tough conditions. Will the sail work best under single or double-reefed mainsail? How high will you be able to point when driving to windward. You may need to get to windward in a blow to avoid a lee shore.
First, get your storm sail ready to hoist. You'll want to raise the tack a few inches off the deck with a pendant (wire rope or high-tech synthetic line). This provides better 'under-the-foot' visibility and protects the sail from boarding waves. Next, determine where to set the lead blocks for proper foot and leech tension. Mark this position on the inboard jib tracks on both sides of the boat.
Now go sailing in winds between 15 and 25 knots. Evaluate sail combinations and sheeting angles. How can you boost crew safety and comfort? Do you need extra grab rails at the mast or foredeck area? Consider increasing cockpit scupper drain diameter, beefing up leaking companionway slides and drop boards, adding sailing harness attachment points, and more. Decide on the most critical modifications you need to make to the boat now, before you cast off on a coastal or offshore cruise.
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Captain John's Sailing Tip
Preparation rises to the top as the key to safety and comfort in rough weather sailing. Personal comfort begins with head-to-toe protection to keep you warm and dry. Invest in sound foul weather gear and proper footwear. I also pack waterproof socks, soft knee pads, warm sailing gloves, and a spare change of clothes, even when going day-sailing.
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Take the time this sailing season to get underway to learn your boat's capabilities in higher winds. Train your crew before you head off on your next cruise. The sea will wait until you are ready. Sail safe; sail well.
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