Hove to - storm tactics

[EvenKeel16]

Hi Guys,

Hoping to start another interesting thread as we enter the season of almost daily thunderstorms here at the gulf coast of Florida. My boat is a 91' S. I Hove To on a regular basis to take a break , reef, whatever always had the dagger board down and never gave it much thought.

But wondering during a storm or when it really gets "sporty" out there is it better under Hove To to have the dagger board up or down? Whats the difference ? Id rather figure it out now the figure it out later.

Anyone have an experience either way?

EvenKeel

[pitchpolehobie]

Hi Guys,

Hoping to start another interesting thread as we enter the season of almost daily thunderstorms here at the gulf coast of Florida. My boat is a 91' S. I Hove To on a regular basis to take a break , reef, whatever always had the dagger board down and never gave it much thought.

But wondering during a storm or when it really gets "sporty" out there is it better under Hove To to have the dagger board up or down? Whats the difference ? Id rather figure it out now the figure it out later.

Anyone have an experience either way?

EvenKeel

26X & Hove to - I had my centerboard all the way down. For the mechanics of a HOVE-TO to work it makes sense to me that you need the daggerboard/centerboard in the fully down position.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

26X & Hove to - I had my centerboard all the way down. For the mechanics of a HOVE-TO to work it makes sense to me that you need the daggerboard/centerboard in the fully down position.

[kingtoros]

I have only done the Hove To during my ASA101 course on a J 29. So, while I loved it, I have not yet attempted it on my 26M.

I would, however, agree in principle with the board down for stability.

[Be Free]

Board down.

If your board is up then you will get a lot more leeway while hove to. I've not tried it with the boards up but I suspect that it will be harder to keep the boat hove to without the board down to provide a consistent pivot point for the sails and the rudders to work around. Properly hove to you should have a little leeway and a little fore-reaching.

[krum]

It seems to me that a year or so ago someone posted that the traditional heave to posture, back winded jib and counter balanced main, doesn't work with our boats. Memory fails me but there was something about the bow being pushed around too easily with the stern unable to catch up. So, no jib out. I somewhat recall the poster also said no keel down. Anyone out there remember the post?

[WinSome]

Hove to is used when sailing -so boards and rudders are already down. It’s a skill we practice annually and use occasionally. And passengers find it’s impressive fun.
Actually: here’s a list of maneuvers we consider essential

https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/esse ... -maneuvers

[pitchpolehobie]

It seems to me that a year or so ago someone posted that the traditional heave to posture, back winded jib and counter balanced main, doesn't work with our boats. Memory fails me but there was something about the bow being pushed around too easily with the stern unable to catch up. So, no jib out. I somewhat recall the poster also said no keel down. Anyone out there remember the post?

It does work but you may need to tweak the balance on your main and headsail. You may need to reef each a bit to balance correctly. On my main at first reef I have to have my genoa only out to about 2/3 of the way to the mast ie 66%. That really helps it settle into a nice hove-to. I would practice this all the time in various conditions. Its a very simple manuever

[Be Free]

It seems to me that a year or so ago someone posted that the traditional heave to posture, back winded jib and counter balanced main, doesn't work with our boats. Memory fails me but there was something about the bow being pushed around too easily with the stern unable to catch up. So, no jib out. I somewhat recall the poster also said no keel down. Anyone out there remember the post?

It works, it just takes practice. If the stern is still being pushed around then you are not hove to yet. Let the main catch a little more wind or the jib catch a little less (if there is still room to adjust it).

I can be done with just the main if that's all you have up. Again, you just need to practice. Apparently a week or so ago a new owner managed to do it by accident.

I've never tried but I don't think there is any way to do it with just the jib. There's just not enough cabin and freeboard behind the centerboard to counter the forces of the jib and the majority of the cabin top that would be in front of it.

Regardless, you need your center board down and both rudders in the water.

[Interim]

We have a 94 26S, and heave to quite a bit. In fact, we also consider it a safety technique. If the captain goes overboard and the first mate is overwhelmed, asking them to do a figure 8 is too much. Heave-to, and I can swim to the boat.

We do it with our board down, tiller to the lee, and 135% genny all the way out. Sometimes a little easing or trimming on the main can help find the best balance.

--Interim

[Stickinthemud57]

I also sail a 26S. Heaving to for me entails letting the mainsheet go slack and backwinding my 104% jib with a foot or so of the clew corner on the windward side of the mast. I find that I have to adjust the rudder in stages, but typically end up with it pretty far to leeward, depending on wind speed.

I agree that rudder and centerboard down are necessary for heaving to.

In gentle to moderate breezes, I have found heaving to safe and useful. I am not sure that heaving to is a good maneuver in storm conditions. In high winds, a flogging mainsail can tear itself up pretty quickly. Given the gusty nature of storm winds, I don't think the boat would stay in equilibrium very long, and a particularly heavy gust could possibly capsize the boat. What say those of you with more experience dealing with storm conditions?

[Be Free]

For an emergency, such as the one described by Interim, the flogging main may be a necessary evil. Getting the boat stopped and resolving the MOB is the goal.

If the reason for heaving-to is to weather a storm the main should have been reefed long before heaving to. A reefed main and a back-winded jib will probably both be required for heaving-to in storm conditions.

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

As far as keel up or down…. Keel down

From the nicely worded text from the article Winsom referenced

The idea is stalling the boat by using the counteracting forces of the jib and the tiller to work together to put the brakes on for a spell. The force of a back winded jib acting in opposition to the rudder steering the bow towards wind, causes the boat to stall out sideways to the wind and slide downwind in a slow and churning manner. It's using the hull and keel to create maximum friction between the water and your boat and if performed correctly, you will see little plumes and eddies bubble out from beneath your hull on the windward side in the water.

Not that we have anywhere near the experience of others here on the forum, it’s just one of the maneuvers that are top of the must have in one’s skill set. (Full disclosure: We tend to use our Mac26X as a motor cruiser.)

I was instructed that when dealing with imminent sudden storm conditions (like we get down South) being able to safely stop and prepare/secure your boat is quite important, especially when alone or with inexperienced crew when sailing. How else is one supposed to get hatches in place, secured and the sails reefed? Ya can’t do it when underway and the sails loaded up….

Now if yer concerned about handling storms the obvious best answer is to avoid them.
The next best is be prepared for them and try keeping the bow pointed into the oncoming waves/swells if possible.
A handy tool to have is a sea anchor to deploy off the bow to help with that pointing… especially if actual anchoring isn’t an option.
It reduces the imposed wind drift aspect but it also ties you to what currents there maybe …
It’s always a judgement call as no one answer fits every situation.

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Stickinthemud57]

I would like to explore another aspect of storm survival, with the permission of the OP. If asked to start a new thread, I will gladly do so.

Regarding the sea anchor...

I bought one when I got my Hunter 170, thinking it would be useful should I wish to reef after I went out. I quickly learned the boat would whipsaw, defeating the purpose. I since have learned about anchor sails, and have used one to good effect at a regular anchorage on my 26S. Would it make sense to use an anchor sail when using a sea anchor to help keep the boat pointed to windward?

[OverEasy]

Basic aero factors would seem to say yes on the storm sail.
Anything that helps with a regular anchor to reduce the wiggle waggle dance I think would help when using a sea anchor.