Storm Sail?

[Divecoz]

I hank on my gib sail for now.. My question is ? Could you use a roller furler for a storm sail if you had nothing else? Is it possible to pull out a few feet of sail and then lash it down ? How might one do this in an emergency?

[yukonbob]

i've pulled out a few feet while motoring into strong headwinds to help smooth things out, but have never tried it under full sail although I'd imagine it would work.

[Divecoz]

My Concern is brought forth , because of a trip that will soon be made on a very nice blue water boat by 4 IMHO very limited sailors.. Its a long trip about 600 miles.. Anything could happen and I hope and Pray.. nothing will happen of any consequence.. They are insistent on making this IMHO Crazy Trip..
From Grenada to St Croix.. Yes... at least one of them My brother can DR Navigate.. At least if they has major storm issues they have one fellow , again my brother who has been through some major storm on his Shamrock ..humm No much in similarities between the two boats really except length..
They do have 3 GPS and a Complete set of carts for the entire trip.. If all goes well, this will be.. The Adventure of a Life Time..If it doesnt? It still may be... hummm...

[robbarnes1965]

This a better alternative: http://www.atninc.com/atn-gale-sail-sai ... ment.shtml

That said, my experience so far is that a bit of sail out on the furler will help keep it from accidentally unfurling in a middle pocket (total disaster scenario - happened to me). The high winds with a bit of sail out will keep it wound nice and tight. The furling line needs to be in good shape and cleated very securely (not a simple cam cleat).

The downside is obviously that only a small amount of unfurled sail is pretty inefficient. Useful only to keep her from rounding up or balance helm.

If a real storm looks to be coming on( read:no sail will be out) and land is too far, It's safer to take a furled sail down (unless in-mast or boom and WELL protected) and heave-to with a max reefed main or storm sail and a para-anchor( or sacrificial jib, all three corners shackled to the anchor rode) - if necessary to keep hove to.

Rob

[Divecoz]

Needless to say I am NOT comfortable with this whole idea .. but its not my call.....
Are You saying below , to attach a Piece of sail aft of the main to the transom? Like an anchor sail? Are there any pictures anywhere I can send to show this???

If a real storm looks to be coming on( read:no sail will be out) and land is too far, It's safer to take a furled sail down (unless in-mast or boom and WELL protected) and heave-to with a max reefed main or storm sail and a para-anchor( or sacrificial jib, all three corners shackled to the anchor rode) - if necessary to keep hove to.

Rob

[robbarnes1965]

Needless to say I am NOT comfortable with this whole idea .. but its not my call.....
Are You saying below , to attach a Piece of sail aft of the main to the transom? Like an anchor sail? Are there any pictures anywhere I can send to show this???

If a real storm looks to be coming on( read:no sail will be out) and land is too far, It's safer to take a furled sail down (unless in-mast or boom and WELL protected) and heave-to with a max reefed main or storm sail and a para-anchor( or sacrificial jib, all three corners shackled to the anchor rode) - if necessary to keep hove to.

Rob

Depends on the boat. But a trysail or some other heavy fabric sail rigged in place of the main. Too far back like a mizzen sail will keep most boats pointed straight into the wind - hard to properly heave-to.

[FinallySailing]

This a better alternative: http://www.atninc.com/atn-gale-sail-sai ... ment.shtml

... or my personal favourite the storm bag :

http://www.bluewatersupplies.com/storm_bag.htm

It just seems so easy to fit and to deploy.

[robbarnes1965]

The storm bag looks very good! Double the price though.

[captronr]

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but instead of paying big bucks for a factory storm jib, could you use a blow out sunfish sail for the storm sail????????????

I've also got the OEM jib that I'll never use (we have a 150 on the furler), so can it be cut down economically for a storm jib?

Ron

[FinallySailing]

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but instead of paying big bucks for a factory storm jib, could you use a blow out sunfish sail for the storm sail????????????

I've also got the OEM jib that I'll never use (we have a 150 on the furler), so can it be cut down economically for a storm jib?

Ron

It is not just about having a jib of a smaller size, but a storm sail is made out of much more rugged material. If you really need a storm sail, you can find them on boat jumbles, flee bay, craigs list etc often as an unused bargain. If you have one, rig it in the marina and practise using before you go out. But I guess it is one of those things that many people put on their boats and then luckily never have to use. Personally, with our 26S I'd do my best to keep away from really bad weather. A weather fax/navtex might just be the better investment

[Catigale]

Correct - its not just smaller, its heavier material, and much heavier corners in construction.

[captronr]

Guess that makes the Nissan 50 my 'storm jib' huh?

THKS.
Ron

[FinallySailing]

Guess that makes the Nissan 50 my 'storm jib' huh?

THKS.
Ron

And that is exactly why the X and M is such a great boat !

[DaveB]

Yes you can with a 105 jib. The main reason I put a UV Sailcloth on My now 2 year old jib instead of useing sunbrella and/or a pad pocket is to reduce windage when furled.
You can go to windward up to 50 degrees or probably less in winds 30-40 knots . With just the jib furled. The 150 has to much thickness and out of shape furled for a 60 sq ft. sail or less. Main is down and secured.
I had both storm jib hanked on and a Trysail as a main on my Alberg 35 but had to take down the trysail in winds 70 knots. Trisail was only about 35 square ft and storm jib about 40 square ft.
The Mac. should easy reach hull speed or more with 12 sq. ft. head sail in a 35 knot wind. Probably bare poles could reach hull speed.
Why we have big motors to high tail it out of Dodge city.
Dave

I hank on my gib sail for now.. My question is ? Could you use a roller furler for a storm sail if you had nothing else? Is it possible to pull out a few feet of sail and then lash it down ? How might one do this in an emergency?

[Catigale]

A furled stock genoa in high winds will be blown out quickly, after which the clew will likely fail....life would then get interesting as the sail unfurls in high wind...I'm guessing above 40 kts sustained things will go to hull in hand basket pdq.