HEAVY WEATHER SAILING WITH A STANDARD PRODUCTION YACHT - SwT 162 - HOW I DO IT AND MY STRATEGIES
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- Опубликовано: 15 ноя 2023
- In this episode, I am sharing my experience and knowledge of handling my Bavaria 55 mass-production yacht safely through a violent storm.
It’s a big difference between racing and being on a long distance sail in remote places. Some might jump to conclusions thats wrong. This is a defensive way of sailing in winds above 55 kts and preparation for above 60. I have a huge responsibility as people watching can and often will copy my strategy. Hence the fact this is not bragging or over selling. It’s realistic and safety in mind m. This is a more technical video where I reveal my strategies in real-life heavy-weather sailing. We are talking above 55+ knots of wind where things really starts to happen. My strategies with a storm sail and reefed Main has proven to work above 60 knots of wind. The last episode I was not rigged with storm sail as it was not predicted. So I’m showing the limitations and what I did when seeing 57. Not knowing how much it was going to be, I took a break to decide next move. If it was going to reach 60 I would have to either continue with my safety mode, or go with reef 3 only, meaning going up against the wind to get Main up with my violent storm reef. Without telling you how to, I am sharing how I do. This might not work for you or even with your boat. And this is my point. I recommend knowing not only your own limitations but even your boat's limitations. I even share why a heaving to strategy could be the fast track to send your rig into the ocean.
The same goes for a furling genoa. This does have some limitations and can be dangerous. Lots of dismasting incidents occur for some obvious reasons but are somehow rarely talked about. Human error leading to serious problems is often mistaken for poor quality, and very popular to point at production yachts instead of looking in the mirror. Lots of myths false information, and even dangerous advice. Not all strategies work on all boats. Different sizes and hull designs often give different results. If I did not know my boat's limitations, if I had not been on top of maintenance, and even having experience my rigg would come down. This is key to understanding sailing safely and surviving a violent storm. Hopefully, some will find this valuable and even point some of you in a new direction learning more about how to deal with situations on your own. As normal I do not claim to have the blueprint, and nor do I say this is how to. I'm sharing what's proven to work for me.
I am even pointing out the biggest and most frequent misunderstanding. A cutter stay is good but not the best solution for heavy-weather sailing either. Unless you only have a small storm jib there for above 50 kt sailing. I still have not met anyone with this permanently, instead, they have slightly smaller genoa mostly used to fly wing on wing. Meaning we would have the exact same challenge. Changing sails is my biggest challenge alone at sea, and this means my violent storm solution does have an Achilles heel. I can not handle a violent storm as I want to if not planned. So what I share is the consequence of a weather prediction turning out to be seriously out of target. European models on predictions are normally extremely good. However local phenomenon can sometimes be missed. A storm jib in a bag attached works fine, but my experience is it can not be furled in. So as a solo sailor with a storm jib thats not possible to furle create another challenge. What to do when it reach 75.
You can also read about this episode here in the Norwegian Sailing Magazine www.seilmagasinet.no/hardvind...
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ABOUT THIS CHANNEL:
Sailing around the world in a Bavaria 55 Cruiser, making videos whenever we have time for it.
Even though this is season 6 on RUclips I did not make that many videos in the beginning. Before full-time sailing, I sailed several seasons in the Mediterranean prior to, and obviously also in Scandinavia. I have been traveling the world before and have also been an active regatta sailor. I had my first sailboat at age 7 and have been sailing ever since. Also, more than 10 years of experience in Search and Rescue at sea in Norway.
Thank you, Thomas - thank you for such useful insights - let's thank our lucky stars you don't whine and moan about adverse weather - you just 'get on with the sailing' - good job!
Just wandering about the dismasting events & the statements regarding high winds tearing the rig down.
In theory, with a monohull, max loading is when the wind is from port or starboard & with full sails up, the boat should simply heel over thereby inherently limiting the loading to below the rig damage level. That's how rigs in the 80s were designed, it's one of the distinct advantages of monohulls.
It seems from recent events that the rig loading capabilities of some production sailboats have been reduced below that which was acceptable in the 80s. Seems odd that one of the distinct safety advantages of monohull sailboats would be thrown out the porthole for a halfpenny's worth of tar.
It seems what's being done with rig load ratings these days wouldn't have been tolerated in the 80s.
So rig design strength should be so that all of the rig can withstand a full wind force 90° knockdown with a load safety margin.
With this adequate strength rig then Sail area is reduced to suit wind loading & thus limit wind force loads & to give a reasonable heel angle.
In very heavy winds sailing angle to the wind course adjustments & storm sails can be used to reduce loading while still providing reasonable heel angle & provide some sail force stability, automatic unloading occurs as before with automagical heel angle changes.
A short heavy duty storm sail stay & short heavy duty extra storm sail track attached to the mast are invaluable.
Know your boat, don’t stress the rig. Which goes back to know your boat. The graphics are great! Thank you for your time and effort
Fantastic insight from a well-hardened sailor.
That was an excellent summary! I have a different hull, and my boat will turn broadside without power in heavy weather. I have a small selftailing headsail on inner forstay (cutter) 'hank on' and running backstays. I once crossed Sækken (you know where tha is) from South to N in W 22 m/s. Only sail was the hank on sail. Appart from allmost drowning from seas breaking over the boat, it went quite well :-) Our boats reacts quite different in heavy weather. So I really appticiate you stating 'this is my boat, and this works for me'. Lokking forward to more of your 'navigation philosophy', can't have enough of that. Every one have something to learn from you.
I like your attention to the technical aspects of sailing. I don't see this very much on other channels. You have some very attentive students owing to your attention to the physics of sailing.
Thankyou Thomas. We are new to boating, and I have a feeling that a sailboat will be our next boat, so I am learning as much as I can so that I can make informed decisions before buying a large blue water for our large family. This video was excellent, informative and full of actual knowledge "drama free". Love it. We will be watching a lot more of your videos. Thanks for putting in the effort mate to share what is obviously a deep knowledge, it is very appreciated!
Another awsome episode of value insights. Love your channel Thomas.
Great video Thomas. Thank you for your honesty. Have read a few books about heavy weather sailing and also watched many videos. Never found my selv in heavy weather sailing conditions yet. With your video you have managed to touch many good points in a very good way. Well done!
I love how you preface things Thomas with “What l do” rather than “What you should do”,it makes your point food for thought rather than an imperative ,thanks for sharing
dude… you’re comms game is as good as your viking chess
well fucking done with this best life you have going on with your boat … thanks for another great show
I enjoy your advice for sailing in adverse conditions, being in control as best you can with given skill level
Great info Thomas, with a somewhat similar boat to yours (2007 Jeanneau 54DS) I am always interested in hearing your insights.
I like your approach to giving information as it allows us to think and manage our own risks and fills our desire to learn more.
In knowing your boat and own limitations…I would like to think that as a human you don’t have limitations…perhaps just more to learn and challenges to overcome.
May we forever be humble students in life as you are helping us be.
Thanks again Thomas.
Thank you so much for sharing your reflections and your kind comments. Really appreciate to have you here. The day I don’t learn anything new it’s time to go ashore. That’s my philosophy and guiding line. All the best
Thanks for sharing your experience. This is unvaluable! Fair winds!
With the Caveat that pretty much any Rig can be made to Work. My favourite Rig is KISS based principles built around an in Mast Furling MInsail, and a basic Sloop Rig with a single forestry with a bowsprit for Furling light wind Sails, and a Furling TriradialGenoa with three reefing points. The Main has a 3+Reefing point Triradial Battenless Construction, and the third reef (this to test the theory) having two reinforced reefing points in it, to keep the lastDouble Storm reefed Cloth very reduced area and right next to the Mast, with no Cloth at the Bow so now leverage to break heaving to. So pretty much in line with your thinking Thomas, but from a bit different direction to achieve the same effect. For Durable Sails that will keep their shape and at fairly affordable prices, Triradial build imho, is the best way to go, from about double the price of baggy pants in no time Crosscut Dacron, but they can last over ten times as long with Sail Valeting and servicing at regular intervals. Non Mylar Laminates are looking promising, but they are outside of my price range tbh. Needless to say, This extremes of Boat Sailcloth leverage, for me, rules out a Ketch Rig. But it does bear repeating, that A Ketch Rig can be made to work as well, but for someone disabled like myself, it is far too dodgy to consider, and the same goes for twin Forestay Rigs. Everything must go back to powerful electric winches and Clutches in the Cockpit. In storm Force Winds, you don’t want to have underpowered Winches, or an Undersized inboard engine for that matter, you need power to spare to be able to tick along to get out of the Storm area, or make it into clear Water Offshore and away from Land. While difficult in a Storm, it is important to keep stresses on the Rig, Sails, and boat, as low as possible. Admittedly, my considerations are particularly tailored to my needs, but hopefully there is useful food for thought in this post for others. Best Wishes, Fair Winds, and Safe Travels. Bob in Wales. 👍🏴🇬🇧⛵️🌟🌟🌟❤️
Thank you so much for sharing and all your inputs. Love it! We have all different needs and different boats. Important to find what works for you. Hence the reason I don’t like how to videos in such topics as sailing. There is no size fits all, and also sailing solo vs crew is so different. So I’m really happy to know my videos can inspire and motivate and even being appreciated. All the best and cheers 🍻
Excellent Thomas!
Of course I think it is excellent because I agree with everything you talked about.
Some people like drama so they magnify everything they talk about, others are dramatic because they truly are afraid. Terrified even. I don't like roller furling for the reason you mentioned it is very handy but dangerous if you are in serious weather. Most modern boats have the boom really high above the deck to clear dodgers and biminis but that makes reefing much more dangerous.
If I had a boat like yours, I would have a permanent storm-stay set up from just in front of the coachroof bump on deck (to the nearest bulkhead) to the lower spreaders with a halyard for a hank on storm jib of heavy cloth, stowed with its own sheets attached in a storm bag. I prefer a cutter or a double headsail ketch because of the flexibility the two forestays offer for various sails. Nope, not as efficient upwind as a sloop, but safer and easier for one or two people to handle in storm conditions. I doubt many cruisers carry a storm trisail anymore that ran on the mainsail track but replaces the mainsail in storm conditions. It would be a pain to remove the mainsail slides from the track to run a trisail up it. But they were good for getting the center of effort of the sail down much lower.
I've only had to use my storm jib and triple reefed main a few times when the wind got over 40 kts and the storm jib alone at higher wind speed. Once we were bare poles for a few hours and still doing 10+ kts downwind. And many times I've sailed in from a rough passage in company with another boat and they always estimated the wind speed and wave height much higher than it was. Part of that was because they had no instruments but part was it was the worst conditions they had ever been in and were scared. As you said, once you've been in worse it isn't so bad... Until we get into the worst we have ever been in and it becomes our new benchmark.
When you are mid-ocean and at the crest of a wave with a valley ahead and behind you where the bottom of the trough looks 100 feet below, then you sail down the face or back of the wave and at the bottom of the trough you are looking up and up at the crest of the wave in front and behind you that look like 12 story buildings, with very little wind down there but howling wind when you are on the crests, now that tends to be a bit scary until you do it for several hours and start to relax and enjoy sailing in the "Grand Canyon" ocean and you know that you will never be able to describe the feeling you have. Then the sun goes down and the heavy, dark clouds cover the sky and the rain starts falling... or going sideways actually, then the sounds of the wind and breaking crests of the waves that were so exciting during the daytime become much scarier in the pitch black.
Good times!
On a good boat that is well prepared for really heavy weather that is actually rarely encountered.
Scandinavian humbleness, I love it! Så glad att du visar vad du kan utan att skryta om det 🙂
Enig med deg der!
Great explanation of your actions Thomas ! well done
Fair winds ⛵️
Thanks Thomas ! This is what I love to see in your videos. Participating in your experience! I learned a lot and enjoy it cheers Klaus
I subscribe to sailing channels because of the nice people & locations. I have a boat 17' skiff not.a sailboat. So I'm learning a lot from Thomas here , still learning the Genoa isn't just a hard Italian salami..🥴
Thanks for the insightful information. Sharing is caring. 👊
Hi Thomas, thank you for your insight on all the sailing. It’s wonderful that you want to share your knowledge with others. Keep up the good work. Hope your other half will come back soon. Cliff from Logan city Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺🧑🏾🦽
One time In Croatia I pushed my Bavaria 46 over 16 knots. It was blowing about 40-45 tws and I was caught alone in it under full sail. I managed to ride it out in 15 minutes and the wind wind was back at 15-20 knots
wow, extremely well said and thought out. Thank you Thomas. If you have the chance to watch the latest episode of "adventures of an old seadog" on youtube, he proves everything you just covered. He made every unforced error and abandoned his boat. He was lucky to survive and lucky to be rescued. He knew the storm was coming, he didn't accomodate his sail set-up accordingly, he didn't run his engines in the calm before the storm and when he needed it, it didn't work. All in all, he is alive and lucky and he should watch this videoe 10 times over. God speed, sail well. cheers
He also didn’t turn and run when he had the opportunity or carry enough fuel to motor when needed.
200miles out and two days to plan he should have just gotten out of there.
Thanks Thomas for some good advice in this video. I like your style of storytelling.
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge 😊
Thank you so much for watching and for being here! All the best
Bravo Thomas, and thanks for sharing your experience , which counts soo much. Forewarned is well prepared 😊
Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching! Cheers 🍻
Thank you Thomas, this is really good one..🏋🏻♀️🏅🏋🏻♀️
Very interesting and informative. I know staysail on my 50 is a must. I did not know forestay roller furler reduced sail in extreme winds could possibly bring the mast down through flogging. Normally I have the stay sail up in strong winds. Thanks
You are talking about a Cutter , always a great rig offshore
Really Like the New Thumbnails for this sort of Information. makes finding them on your site ez, when i want to review. Thank You Professor 😎
Thank you so much for your feedback! I will organize the playlists better as well. Making it easy to just jump to the more nerdy stuff either sailing, tactical, navigation or DIY. All the best
Love this - thanks Professor! 🙌🤩
Thank you Thomas for your explanation very useful.
this video will open the eyes of some lesser experienced sailors crusing the worlds oceans , valuable insights ,thanks . this type of sailing sure keeps you in the moment my friend .
Lack of drama is so refreshing thank you.
Thank you so much🙏🏻
This is very very good information. Thank you so much. I'm a subscriber now.
Thank you so much and welcome aboard BE FREE ⛵️ All the best
Valuable info as always. Never sailed in my life, but still it feels like I am learning by watching your vidoes and your experiance .
Glad you like them! Its ridiculously time consuming videos to make, so knowing that even someone never been sailing enjoy this I take as a huge compliment. Thank you so much for watching and for being here. All the best and cheers 🍻
Thank you for very usefull information. Your knowledge is well respected.
Thomas I always learn from watching you👍I never thought about the jib being up above the water too high.As if a rolled furler Genoa.Also what combination of jib and mainsail is preferable in high winds.You explained it very good and I understood why you do what you do in high winds.Made perfect sense to me.Always enjoy every episode you put out and 2 or 3 this week is great!!Thank you 🙏🙏
Thank you so much for being here and your feedback is much appreciated. Glad to know you enjoy! All the best
I couldn't agree with you more: know your boat. And to know what rig configurations or strategies work for you, you just have to have a mindset to experiment and get it right through successes or failures. Most of all, we can't learn anything unless we are out there like you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It definitely helps sailors to consider the options.
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing your opinions and thoughts as well. All the best ⛵️
Heisann Thomas, very good points you have made... I have a storm sail small triangle that goes on my so-called 'Baby stay' just forward of my mast... This is by guesswork but with your very good demo I now understand very well the purpose of my boat rigging design... Tusen takk and Fair Winds...
We have a Bavaria 50ft and encountered a few storms over the years. One of them the tail of a hurricane in the English Channel. (un mentioned in the forecats we had) We only had 1 square meter of main still on, hiding the rest in the mast... no headsail, all furled. engine on and just keeping deep water for 6 hours. only foam, no visibility. terribly uncomfortable. We left with 5 boats and stayed near the coast, we took deep water as much as possible, the others sailed... for a while. 3 lost their mast. The two Bavaria's including ours made it undamaged. Its not the brand that make it good or bad...But sailing in 45+ kn of wind ( we had well over that ) is just asking for problems. Maybe you can consider a storm jib that goes over the furled genoa, with Velcro and some lines.
Thank you so much for sharing👍🏻sounds like you had your fair share of bad weather. Totally agree it’s no fun when it’s a full storm. I believe you guys did the right things with the situation you had. Glad to hear it went all good with you and your crew. I have tried different setup for storm sails on BE FREE and as solo sailor come to the conclusion I want it on a furler. If things gets really wild I really don’t wanna be on deck trying to take down a sail. Even a tiny storm sail can be to much to handle for one person in extreme winds and breaking seas. Thank you for being here!
Cheers 🍻
Great lesson. Thank you.
Thank you for your explanation, it makes sense any sailing boat you have you must maintain especially when doing extensive sailing and you must know your limitations on your set up
Everything you mentioned I take and learn from it
Again thank you 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad to know this episode was valuable for you. All the best
No BS just cruising!
cheers mate
👍👏👍
THANK YOU! That explains everything I was questioning.
Thank you so much! Happy to know you enjoyed
Thanks.
Thank you for that video. Very thought provoking concerning the rig etc. The best to you!
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it, and found it useful. All the best
EXCELLENT, Thomas!!! This was both interesting and educational, and I am so appreciative of you taking time to create and share these important points of view with your experiences and how they relate, specifically, to Be Free! Thank you so much!!! ~ Chelle ⛵
Thank you so much Chelle! It’s extremely time consuming to make episodes like this. For sure it has a bit narrow audience so even before making it I know it’s never gonna be a blockbuster. So money Wiese it’s definitely not smart, but if it can point sailors in some directions towards safe sailing it’s totally worth it. All the best and cheers 🍻
I have a baby stay but it is not made for a sail, to keep mast from pumping, was thinking of trying the storm sail on it anyway. for a test.
Thanks Thomas, useful information as always. I have been playing with the idea of rigging a removable babystay on my old Bavaria 41. But i haven't come up with a solution to strengthen or creating a practical strong point where i can secure it to the deck. And im not too keen on extra running backstays either. But for sailing the Norwegian coast i dont need it. But some day....
Best regards from Jarle
(Ps I'm sitl working on my own limitations, when they are sorted I can start looking at the boat😅)
Storm-bag ( patented ) could be an option; stormjib in a bag that you mount on the furled jib ( watch the videos on YT ), would also prevent the shaking of the furled jib, altough you should tighten the jibsheets to prevent the headstay shaking. A cutter stay is a security to unknown conditions you will meet at sea.
The blue dismasted boat is a Koopmans dutch design strong blue water cruiser and indeed, i am impressed at the capacities of Bavaria's, being a low cost! production boat. Though Jambo ( german YT ) on a Bavaria 34? lost his mast in not so heavy weather and finally ( in an other mishap ) sunk few weeks ago in the Atlantic. Stay safe.Greets from Belgium.
Maintenance is key! I lost count on all the old Bavaria’s I have met with 25 years old Rigg and lack of maintenance. I’m surprised they have managed to cross the pacific and come so far all the way from Europe with old x-charter yachts. Must be very well made. From my experience not only as a sailor but from the other side is almost every single mast that comes down is overdue maintenance and refit.
I have tried storm bag and other options. It’s a significant difference being solo vs crew. Also what’s sounds great in theory are often not so easy in real life. I really dislike working on deck in 8-9 meter waves and 60 kts wind. If I need to reduce my sails I prefer a furling solution that’s strong and solid. What I have works well if prepared. A long lasting storm that’s a surprise my setup is not so ideal.
Thank you so much for being here and for your comment as well. Cheers 🍻
it's always a pleasure to listen to your explanations about sail experience and your advises how to handle different situations.
Thank you so much 🙏🏻
Nice grafics
P.S. Just bought a One Life Sail it Wisely/Sailing with Thomas t-shirt -- so cute and can't wait to get it! 💕⛵
That’s so cool! Thank you so much Chelle 🙏🏻 Hope you will enjoy it!
Hi Thomas
Your videos provide excellent information and really worth viewing (studying!).
About riding a storm on bare rig, I assume you won't be able to take the genua down but to fully furl it away. How do you secure it in furled position from flying out?
Thanks and Keep your great stuff up
Thanks
Heia Norge! I wish you could tell us what's the average speed of storms, and share more of HOW TO and WHAT IF situations. What if I got the mast broken? what do you do if a storm is upon you while you're in the middle of the ocean osv. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you so much for watching🙏🏻 I have spread out lots of information in many different episodes.
If it’s to much theory people tends to fall off. So it’s better to only share little by little one step at the time.
All the best
I can only imagine. Truly thankyou for being real Thomas
Thank you so much for watching and for being here 🙏🏻 All the best
Very informative Thomas! Have you explored the ATM Storm jib? It is made to go over your rolled up head sail. As to reefs in the main, I installed a 4th reef on my previous boat that could be taken from the cockpit that acted as the storm trysail. (See Skip Novak's videos on Heavy Weather Sailing).
Thank you so much 🙏🏻 Yes I have tried several options including storm sail in a bag. Lots of good solutions on paper, and even theoretically how to strategies. Problem is different boats have different challenges, and also it’s a significant difference being alone versus having crew. For me the best option has been proven to be a modified storm sail that fits the furling system in the front. With this I can furl in the storm jib if it gets even to crazy for this. Above 55 knots wind and up it’s not a pleasant experience to be on deck working with sails. If I have time to plan it’s a different story but being surprised by a violent storm is no joke. This strategy and how I do it is not for only a squall but a continuous violent storm definition by Beaufort Scale. This might not come out good enough in my video. I constantly learn from my own mistakes and this time my biggest mistake was not trusting my instincts and experience above the weather forecast. I should had taken the advantage of light winds before the storm reached me and replaced the sails. Had I been following my heavy weather strategy from the beginning I would been very well rigged to handle this winds. I have sailed through worse with that. The flaws in my setup and strategy is exposed as I can’t handle impulsive unpredicted violent storms very well. They needs to be planned and predicted. I believe this was a good learning and experience. Thankful for coming out at the other end with no damages
Very good vídeo 🙌🙌🙌♥️
If you can hoist a stormsail on a baby stay, you probably can then forereach into the weather which would be good. Just depends on where you can apply the load on the mast without risk of inverting it. That could also dismast you if the winds are strong enough. A good rigger could & should advise you on the details.
Yes modifications needs Professioneel calculations and the correct tuning. Running back stays would be key. My biggest challenge is being solo sailor meaning I need a setup that minimizes the risks and needs of being on deck. Going at the front in heavy seas that comes with winds above 50 knots is nothing I do voluntarily. So meaning I’m this situation my mistake was to not take benefits of the light wind and change sails before this unpredicted storm arrived. I should had trusted my instincts and experience above the weather forecast.
As a consequence my choice was to play with what I had. And it worked. Not optimal but managed to come safely out at the other end. It was an exhausting full night with brutal weather
Great channel Thomas. Just to clarify, once you were in ‘safety mode’ you just headed downwind to ride out the conditions correct?
PS you remind me of the Norwegians I met at school. No BS!
Thank you so much! Yes it’s correct, I figured out this would pass soon and better safe than sorry. If this was a predicted storm I would been prepared differently and would had no problems sailing normal with my storm setup. Sailing on the mast only works in this kind of weather. All the best
Good episode. Thanks for that.
Thank you so much 🙏🏻
PS. I must echo the importance that you stress of good Maintenance, which to me has always made an annual Haulout for a thorough checkover and Service, plus seeing if any early Replacements are wise to carry out. Bob. 🤔👍
Thank you so much 🙏🏻 Yes maintenance is key, and is cheaper in the long run. Safer as well. Bluewater Sailing is a different ballgame and doing it solo another level. Things needs to be in a good condition. Cheers 🍻
Thanks. What are your thoughts on drogues in those conditions?
Thanks! I learned something. I am right behind you. Leaving Mexico For Australia Feb/March 2024 on an Island Packet 370. Cutter rig ;). I will be using my stay sail more. What time of year was that? I always see heavy winds in Western Pacific. Thanks!
Thank you Thomas, excellent video and awesome to hear your insights! Well done!
Thank you so much for watching and your kind comment 🙏🏻
With such blasts i go bare pole or a small storm jib on 2nd forstay.
Just wandering about the dismasting events & the statements regarding high winds tearing the rig down.
In theory, with a monohull, max loading is when the wind is from port or starboard & with full sails up, the boat should simply heel over thereby inherently limiting the loading to below the rig damage level. That's how rigs in the 80s were designed, it's one of the distinct advantages of monohulls.
It seems from recent events that the rig loading capabilities of some production sailboats have been reduced below that which was acceptable in the 80s. Seems odd that one of the distinct safety advantages of monohull sailboats would be thrown out the porthole for a halfpenny's worth of tar.
It seems what's being done with rig load ratings these days wouldn't have been tolerated in the 80s.
So rig design strength should be so that all of the rig can withstand a full wind force 90° knockdown with a load safety margin.
With this adequate strength rig then Sail area is reduced to suit wind loading & thus limit wind force loads & to give a reasonable heel angle.
In very heavy winds sailing angle to the wind course adjustments & storm sails can be used to reduce loading while still providing reasonable heel angle & provide some sail force stability, automatic unloading occurs as before with automagical heel angle changes.
A short heavy duty storm sail stay & short heavy duty extra storm sail track attached to the mast are invaluable.
Knockdowns is normally a consequence of being overpowered and for most mono hulls this is no problem. As long as your Rigg is in good shape. However it’s a significant difference in one knockdown with a natural broach as consequence during a random wind gust compared to continuous violent storm. First of all being knocked down continuously with broach after broach is definitely not comfortable. The wear and tear on all gear and sails not to forget rigging would be massive over time and something you would try to avoid. The correct amount of power to continue sailing is key in any wind force. However from violent storms and hurricane force winds it can be the difference coming out in one piece at the other end or not. Most modern yachts have good rigs just as old days. The major difference is modern technology gives the engineering better tools knowing how much and what to make. Lots of cables is not necessary stronger. It also add weight aloft. As an example adding 50 kilo to the top of your mast equals reducing 500 kilos of your ballast weight. In the 80s lots of great boats where built, however the knowledge and tools for calculating the physics was not as good. A great example is they had very little understanding in hull thickness and fiberglass. Often resulting in way to much polyester that actually not made them stronger.
But for sure some modern brands do take shortcuts and are challenging the weights and physics to much. That’s a fact. My key message in this episode however was to know your boat, it’s limitations and the options. Having this tools in your box you know how to handle a situation like this. What’s a violent storm for a 34 is a nice breeze for a 55. It’s often based on how experienced and knowledgeable the sailor are. When I refer to a violent storm it’s based on the Beaufort scale, meaning my sailing was reaching close to hurricane force. And this is no joke. That’s why I wanted to share my mistakes and even how I solved my situation. Without claiming to have the blueprint. This is only how I do it.
All the best
Not gonna lie...just the thought of 55+ gives me the shakes.
Thank you for the education. I am a novice sailor and after watching your dream heavy weather sail setup for your boat, I am wondering if you would think a sloop design would be better in heavy weather?
Thank you so much for watching and for your question. It’s as many opinions as options but for me as mostly a solo sailor my setup works good. However as I point out it also has room for improvement. Especially in unpredicted heavy weather sailing
👍Thom
Thank you so much
Do you just steer into the wind to reef the main? Or would you heave-to to reef up to a certain windspeed that does not put your rig at risk?
On my boat I need to go up against the wind as it’s to much power in the sail. I have a semi automatic reefing system that I can operate safely from cockpit and it’s pretty fast. Normally I already have reefed down when it gets wild, meaning the sail is already reduced before adding even the third reef. Genoa I try to have enough tension on to avoid flopping when furling in. Lots of techniques and how to would be different with a crew. My shared experience is based on the equipment I have as a single hander. Thank you so much for your question and for being here
This is such wonderful advice. I sailed across the Atlantic and Pacific on a rival 38 ( bigger boat to the sailing brothers) and we knew how to ride storms. Heavy boat cutter rigged and just as you describe. Then we moved back to land had kids and bought a Bavaria 38 for coast cruising in Australia. On one trip the weather forecast was bad and I was on my own with a very inexperienced friend. So I doused the main and thought to sail on the furling headsail only, however the spinnaker halyard wrapped around the top just as it got dark and I couldn’t furl or unfurl the sail, the Autohelm could not cope with the wild motion surfing down the waves, so I hand steered all night in +45knt of wind. Thankfully I grew up sailing dinghies and I surfed it like a Laser all night. That is one night I never want to repeat. Both me and my Bavaria survived but I did not feel balanced or safe at all. In my rival I would have just gone below and locked myself in.
Different boats, different strokes. I loved them both but for different reasons.
Your video is very well explained. Well done.
Thank you so much for your kind words and even sharing your story as well. Much appreciated. Thank you for being here! All the best
Thanks for skipping the drama. Tired of all these RUclipsrs talking about "storm" in 20-22 knots of wind.
You probably know who I mean, and as I usually say - the sea is not for everyone
RUclips shuld make a separate segmen for bikini and drama channels, so we won't get them mixed into the sailing videos. I totally agree with you!
Two comments:
1. a true pro makes difficult actions look easy.
2. making a big production or even panicking does not help. The weather will not be impressed by your antics.
Thank you so much for your comment and for watching. Experience is always a winner in difficult situation. And as you say with experience things may look easy. This is why I also want to share my experience, my mistakes and even how I think. All the best
I guess I missed the point. Maybe you said how you mitigated the risks to your vessel, but if so, it was lost in all the talk
Drop the sails and let the auto pilot do the work while tying not to poop your pants was my read on it