Heave To ?

[Capt Strappfoot]

Ok, I own a Mac 25 and live in Upper Michigan and am planning some sailing on Lake Superior, I have been sailing for 5 years but never in any real big weather. I would like to undertake a long sail to an island in the middle of Superior (Isle Royal) and plan on practicing for that trip this summer. I am very green in storm sailing and was wondering if there is a good book on how to do it. Particular how do you Heave to (or Hove To) I have a good storm anchor now and am getting some other gear but I really need some training on how to storm sail ...I have got the reefing down for the main sail any help would be awesome.

[Capt Strappfoot]

Also I have a rolling furler jib as the forward sail .

[yukonbob]

Chapmans Piloting covers a lot. Still read it and learn new stuff, even though I've read it cover to cover a dozen times.

[FinallySailing]

I would recommend "Storm Tactics" by Lin and Larry Pardey. If you don't want to read it they've also made a really great video about it :

http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/pardey/storm_tactics/
http://www.landlpardey.com/pardey-merch ... rdey-books

Stay safe and Fair winds

FS

[Capt Strappfoot]

Thanks FS,
That was exactly what I was looking for now to go out and try the stuff.

[robbarnes1965]

I would recommend "Storm Tactics" by Lin and Larry Pardey. If you don't want to read it they've also made a really great video about it :

http://www.thesailingchannel.tv/pardey/storm_tactics/
http://www.landlpardey.com/pardey-merch ... rdey-books

Stay safe and Fair winds

FS

I second the suggestion. Really, really good book on the subject.

[ronacarme]

Different boat underbodies may need different techniques to heave to. Rudder, sailplan, sheet, etc. settings that heave-to a full keel boat may well not heave-to a light centerboard or swingkeel boat, like a Mac 26x or 25. I seem to recall an article in one of the magazines (PBO?) on the point.
I found by accident our X would heave to with helm centered , no headsail, CB line about 7/8 out, mainsail sheeted about for close reach. The accident was that while close reaching at about 5 mph, without bringing in the CB line, I took down our hank-on working jib and noted that the boat had locked itself into mushing slowly forward and somewhat to leeward on something between a close and beam reach.....i.e. was substantially hove-to.
I suggest experimenting to find what settings work on your boat. Maybe start in mild weather and see if the the settings need adjusting to work in heavier weather.
Ron

[Herschel]

Concerning sailing in heavy weather, I know there have been various threads on this forum about that subject, so I won't try to go in to detail about that. My wife and I did have a recent experience in heavy weather. Perhaps, it will be helpful, or at least interesting. We were returning to St. Petersburg, Florida, motoring north on the ICW. Winds were 20-25 knots, seas in the coastal Gulf of Mexico were reported 6-8 feet.Water depth was in the 10-15 foot range at the entrance to Tampa Bay. We emerged from the relatively sheltered ICW into the bay proper and encountered the 6-8 ft seas coming in from the gulf. I was amazed at the power of the waves to knock my 26X around. We were taking them on the bow with a full ballast tank, and we were being battered. I knew my next course across the bay would put the waves on the beam, and I figured no way I was taking my wife and myself out into that situation. We turned around and found shelter and came up with a new plan to retrieve the boat at a ramp nearby. Other somewhat larger full keel sailboats continued on. It was a real awakening to me about the limits of the 26X in heavy weather and seas. I have been boating and sailing for 52 years, and this is my eighth sailboat. I don't back down from a situation lightly, but I would not want to take my 26X into a really large body of water in bad weather. Be careful out there!

[DaveB]

Most full Keel or fin keels Hove to by keeping the jib sheet line to windward and adjusting rudder, mostly centered. This method should also work for the Mac. but with only a 12-15 sq ft. trisail set as main in winds over 30 knots and head sail furled to 10 sq. ft area. Get rid of tri Sail over 40 knots. That should keep you some what stationary but you will be blown way off your DRP.
Also depends of direction you are going apperant to wind/waves.
The above info is if you are caught in this condition. Prudent Sailor will avoid this and not go sailing with a Mac.
The Mac. is a Inland coastal waterway Boat.
Dave

Different boat underbodies may need different techniques to heave to. Rudder, sailplan, sheet, etc. settings that heave-to a full keel boat may well not heave-to a light centerboard or swingkeel boat, like a Mac 26x or 25. I seem to recall an article in one of the magazines (PBO?) on the point.
I found by accident our X would heave to with helm centered , no headsail, CB line about 7/8 out, mainsail sheeted about for close reach. The accident was that while close reaching at about 5 mph, without bringing in the CB line, I took down our hank-on working jib and noted that the boat had locked itself into mushing slowly forward and somewhat to leeward on something between a close and beam reach.....i.e. was substantially hove-to.
I suggest experimenting to find what settings work on your boat. Maybe start in mild weather and see if the the settings need adjusting to work in heavier weather.
Ron