Any advice from the experts, questions about heavier wind?

[Matt19020]

I plan to go out this Saturday and they are calling for 17-22 mph (which usually means 20-25mph) windspeed. I feel this is something I need to get out and expierience at some point. I have been out in 25-30 but on much heavier boats. I am comfortable with the heeling up to about 25 degrees so far and have done about 33 with clenched fist.
Should I go out with my regular setup of the working jib and main?
The most I have been in so far in a boat this light has been about 15 mph and 22 gust.
I am headed out by myself.
Would I be a lil too gun-ho to do it alone?
MY REAL QUESTIONS:
Better to reef the Main and leave the jib short?
Main only?
or
Full Main and jib and just ease the sheets to a suitable comfort level?

[Moe]

When in doubt, reef. It's easier to shake a reef out in calmer conditions if you discover you don't need it than to put one in in heavier conditions if you discover you do need it... especially if there's any fetch and waves involved.

You can only ease the sheets so far. Then you have a choice of continuing to heel severely or letting the sails beat themselves to death.

[Frank C]

Agree w/Moe, reef the main before going out. You're wise to note, in advance, that a 20 mph forecast infers gusts to 25 mph. A jib is always preferable to a Genoa for those winds. It's not the gates of Hades and you already have good experience . . . but you didn't mention what sail controls you have.

I have 26X, not 26M. For the X-boat, those conditions dictate the jib plus mid-reef on the mainsail, using both sails for balance. I'd surely want slugs & aft-led main halyard. Heeling at 25 degrees is pretty much the minimum, while also targeting that as maximum. I'd likely see 30 to 35 degrees in gusts & chop. The Garhauer RV can help flatten the X-main in those conditions, helping to manage heel. I also have 3:1 outhaul and 4:1 backstay, helping in same effort.

I believe the X is right at her limits for the mid-reef in those conditions, leaving the factory's deep reef as a fallback option. Cannot say for the 26M.

[baldbaby2000]

Agree, put in the deep reef. Be ready to furl some jib. I doubt you'll be able to sail on just the main. I was sailing in 30 knots last weekend and it was a handful with 2 of us. I wasn't really worried about it being dangerous but things can get hard to control. It can be hard to furl the jib in that much wind. One thing that makes it easier is to head downwind so that the main blankets the jib and then you can furl it. I'd let the traveller most of the way out. Put on some boom vang but not real tight. Get the main halyard and outhaul tight and put on some Cunningham if you have one. All these things will help flatten the main, move the draft forward, and depower the rig. Watch out for unintended jibes as they can really stress the boom gooseneck. Of course make sure your ballast is completely full. Try to avoid letting the sails flap around as it puts wear on them and you can loose battens. On the gusts you may have to let the main luff some but you don't want it flapping wildly.

Having said all that I think you should be OK. The heeling really isn't dangerous but it does increase weather helm and round the boat up. Let us know how it goes.

Daniel

[Catigale]

I would add you really want to have another hand on board while you gain experience at this wind level...if something goes awry its hard to deal with yourself - I hope you find someone even for an hour.

[beene]

Better to reef the Main and leave the jib short?

Yes, if the wind is high enough.

Too much heel, slow, uncomfortable for some, no room for reaction to gusts, etc.

Would I be a lil too gun-ho to do it alone?

I don't think so, based on your post anyway. Set up the reef in your main before going out, wear a PFD, file a float plan with someone, and I throw a line out off the stern once sailing singlehanded..... just in case you end up needing to go fwd to take the main down and get knocked off by a big wave or something, you can swim to the baack of the boat and grab the line before the boat gets too far away to catch.

If you are anything like me, you'll have a blast out there. To be honest, I know very few friends that could handle being taken out in heavy winds, so I end up by myself, but having a great time doing it.

.02

G

[baldbaby2000]

It's important that you feel comfortable in being able to start the motor, take down the sails, tie the main down, and secure things if it gets to be too much. You could even practice this when you get out. Also you should have confidence in bringing the boat to a dock or slip with crosswinds. Hopefully you can leave the rudders and board down for this.

[Matt19020]

Well all is looking good for tomorrow.
The plan is to reef the main at the dock and double check all shrouds and fittings.
Head out and see how it handles with the reefed main and jib
See what the actual wind speed is when I get out there and adjust as needed.
I always wear the PFD when I am by myself anyway.
The docking has been much easier then I have expected I always use rudders and board.
I will follow up later and let you know if it was fun or a learning expierience of what not to do, or if I just need a bigger boat!! after all the Annapolis boat show is coming up soon....

[beene]

I wish you fair winds and hope all goes well.

The only way to become a better sailor, is to take the next step.

Beware that once you do.... when there is a small craft warning..... you'll be heading the opposite direction to most of the other boats.

G

[delevi]

Agree with the other posts. Full (deep) reef on that main and about 2/3 jib (if you have a furler.) If you're going up wind, you may find it useful to pinch a bit. Don't head up to the point that the sails luff. Just enough to where you see the heel decrease. You'll slow down a bit, but will maintain nice control and a good heeling angle. It's a nice little groove but you'll have to stay on your toes to keep her there.

Most of all, stay alert and have fun.

Leon

[Matt19020]

Well... It was not a bad day today I was listening to NOAA on the way to the boat and they were calling for 15-20mph and up to 30 gust. I have to admit I was a little apprehensive about going out solo. I know this is something I needed to do to build my confidence with the boat and my skills aquired so far.
I reef at the dock and doublecheck everything the boat looks good...I clear the marina inlet on this beautifull day remove the sail ties and up goes the reefed main and full jib. (Frank, all my lines are led aft)
I must admit it was a little more work then I expected. The gust were heavy and really took control of the boat when they hit. After about a half hour of constant adjustments and some pretty good gust I decided to furl the jib in all the way... WOW what a difference and complete control. ..
On my way back to the marina I was beating against the current and wind not making signifigant headway about 3 mph and I remembered Delivi mentioned reducing the jib some. I unfurled the jib about halfway and again she felt pretty good with the exception of a strong gust every so often in which case I usually pointed into the wind a little or eased the mainsheet on really strong gust.
I was able to keep the boat at a pretty good angle about 13-18 degrees on average. I was surprised to see it go past 20 at one point with just the reefed mail and no jib but not worried at all.
Summary:
I would do it again no doubt. It was fun. I don't know if I want any more wind then this.
At this point I think 10-15mph is more enjoyable if I were to choose.
I was out for about 2 hours but it felt like 5 hours
I was a little overconfident when I got back to the dock and realized I never approached my slip in this kind of wind....lets just say three times is a charm and leave it at that...(did not hit anything but it was UGLY!)

Not much of a picture but I kinda had my hands full... Thanks to all for the good advice

[beene]

Glad you did it and had fun.

The more times you go out in that, the more comfortable you will become.

When you are doing 9 kts on deep reefed main only, cutting through waves at 45deg, and throwing some serious wake, you know what it feels like to really live life to the fullest.

G

[delevi]

Good job Matt. Sounds like you did great. JUST KEEP SAILING!

Leon

[baldbaby2000]

Glad to hear you had a good day Matt. I was actually thinking about you this weekend because the Admiral and I got in some pretty heavy winds. Things come up fast in the mountains and fortunately we had the deep reef in when the wind came up. We were doing pretty good till it started gusting to 30 knots then I partially furled the jib. Then we got a big gust and looking at the anemometer I saw 40 knots! The Admiral was at the helm (her normal station) and living up to her rank, she performed admirably in maintaining control of the boat. If I was soloing, I don't think I could have done it. I would have dropped sails and headed in.

Daniel

[atzserv]

Matt,

You mentioned ( leave it at that ) when you were getting back to the slip, but as a newbie myself I was wondering if you had the rudders and daggerboard down in those winds. Also I was wondering if you approached the slip head-in or backed in? I only ask because someone recently said that practicing backing in had alot of control. If you used these techniques and it was still an effort, it would go a long way in helping me try to get the understanding of docking.

Thanks

Gary