Preparing For a High Wind Sail

[FlyboyTR]

Tomorrow, April 29th is the 59th annual Dauphin Island Regatta. This will be our first race. Our concern is we are forecast to have winds near 20 knots at our 0945 start time. The first leg we need about 188 degrees and the winds are forecast for 148. I am hoping I can squeeze that out without having to tack to the east before turning back to the south. Mobile Bay is shallow so it will probably be 3-4' seas with a tight chop. And yes, this is the race that got slammed in 2015 with 80 MPH straight line winds...many boats destroyed and 6 deaths.

The finish line is in the lower part of Mobile Bay near the Dauphin Island Bridge. The winds will probably be around 23 knots and gusting above that. After crossing the finish line, we will not be doing the big raft-up party at the Island...but will make a straight line back home and then drive to the party. That will be another 18 miles with winds off the stern (not my preferred way to go...but there is no other choice!)

We have never sailed our 26-s in anything above 20. I plan to start out 50% reefed on the main and probably the same on the 126 genoa. We will have one passenger on board and I want him to be moveable ballast. Our goal is not to try to win or impress anyone...but rather to finish the race safely. My wife does good on the mainsheet and is quick (sometimes too quick) to depower the main when needed. I usually manage the genoa since she can not pull the line out of the cam-cleat when it is under a lot of pressure. The auto pilot manages the tiller.

OK... if anyone can offer any advise or suggestions...things to watch for, positioning of our passenger, ,etc...your input would be appreciated. Any yes...I have no problem breaking off and heading home if things start reaching a point where I feel unsafe.

http://bucyc.com/Racing/DIR/DIR.html

[Tomfoolery]

Wear sailing gloves to prevent rope burns.

And life jackets to prevent death.

That's all I've got.

[FlyboyTR]

Thanks, TomF.

Is there any advantage to tightening the backstay when the main is 50% reefed?

[tlgibson97]

Read the weather conditions that day. Reef accordingly. Don't be afraid to back out if the winds are beyond your limits. It's hard to do sometimes when you have time and money invested into participating.

[BOAT]

You in an S boat - you should be fine. As long as the boat is traveling forward and that forward direction is the direction you want to go just hang on - if you get to a point where the boat will not go forward (you lock up in irons - ) then pull down the sails and give up. Anytime a boat is in irons in winds over 28 knots something is really wrong - a boat should be able to sail and maneuver if there is wind. If the boat is so overpowered by wind that it can not make head way then your day is over.

There are many reasons skippers get caught in irons in high wind - usually it's caused by a stuck sail, or a skipper that is hauling in sheets way too tight for the conditions. In really strong wind you need to change the way you think about trimming sails - most day sailors who seldom leave the bay only know to trim sails to eliminate luffing. In high winds that's not gonna work - sails are going to luff in high winds - it's bad for the sails and rips them apart but that's what happens when you take normal weight sails into heavy weight winds. When it's really blowing you need to relax the sheets - let out the vang, and let the sails bend an luff.

The billowing and bending and luffing of the sails is sort of like a shock absorber for your boat against the strong winds - your sacrificing the life of your sails when you do that, but the alternative is a sail that is too tight like a wing with no give in it and that can lay the boat over and stop you - best to let the sail luff and make headway. three or four outing like that will really degrade your sails.

If your trying the turn and the boat is not turning or no moving then your just sliding through the water = next thing to happen in that situation is your blown into something like rock or a shoreline - best to get out or what we used to do in Mexico when it was that bad - we would throw out the anchor!! (yep, just toss out the hook and sit there and wallow in the waves until night time). It' sucks but if you can't risk trying to make safe harbor that's what you do. (MAN, things we a lot harder in the old days before I got 60 horse power on the back of my boat!!)

[FlyboyTR]

Thanks for the info, guys! I just received an updated NOR. The have postponed the race due to our degrading weather conditions. I'm good with that! And to think...I was ready to win last place...............

[grady]

Read the sailing instructions.
Looks like they are written well, You do not have a choice on PFD's at the start they are Mandatory. Their list of safety equipment written well also.

Reef your sail.

Yes tighten up your back stay and every line on the boat!!! Tighter than you ever have!

Ask on the use of Autopilot. Most of times they are not allowed during a race. Plus autopilots will not react in time in a big gust.

If you have not sailed in that much wind and this is your first race my recommendation is stay in the marina and drive to the party. It is racing for fun (your words), there is always next year.

[grady]

Thanks for the info, guys! I just received an updated NOR. The have postponed the race due to our degrading weather conditions. I'm good with that! And to think...I was ready to win last place...............

Good call for the race committee. If you put the forecast into a go no-go calculation My guess it was close if not over on the no-go point.

[FlyboyTR]

Thanks for the info, guys! I just received an updated NOR. The have postponed the race due to our degrading weather conditions. I'm good with that! And to think...I was ready to win last place...............

Good call for the race committee. If you put the forecast into a go no-go calculation My guess it was close if not over on the no-go point.

Thanks, Grady! Appreciated!