So, this is a heave to with the main? I have never tried that. Do tell. Daniel On Aug 22, 2013, at 6:16 PM, Michael Murphy <mikeandpaula48@gmail.com> wrote:
RE HEAVING TO
I normally heaved to with the jib backwinded but did not always like the amount of fore reaching that resuled. I concluded that with a main up and a backwinded jib I was just sailing forward at a very slow rate.
This winter I tried the Pardys preferred method. With the jib doused and a double reefed main almost 100% of the fore reaching was eliminated. The boat drifted almost dead down wind with the helm a little to leeward. It made less half a knot whereas with the backwinded jib it would reach forward at one knot +/-. On Aug 17, 2013 8:24 PM, "Daniel Rich" <danielgrich@gmail.com> wrote:
Montypals:
Let's talk heavy air. Today I sailed with a nice guy interested in M15 boats. He was a pretty good sailor. We sailed out of Nick's Cove Tomales like I often do. The wind really kicked up as it can. I eventually double reefed, and had my standard working jib. The gusts must have gotten to at least 20 knots plus and the wind waves were quite big. Nonetheless, the M15 stayed quite dry despite pounding down the waves. Very impressive. And it was really pounding. But, I definitely struggled. Eventually it got to the point where even with the jib honked down I could not make progress to windward where I needed to go back to the dock. And I was getting closer to the windward shore. Every time I tried to point the boat would heel pretty good and rather than move forward would just dump air. At this point I figured that I could douse the jib, but would not be able to make progress to windward that way. Will a double reefed M15 point at all with a doused jib? I needed to go straight upwind to get home, so pointing was important. I don't have a storm jib, but even if I did, I would not be confident going on the deck under bare poles and hoisting it. Without the jib up I can't heave to. Defeated I dropped the sails and motored back. Even that was a challenge with heavy waves and windage. I steered straight into the wind so that the boat would track well, and it did. My 2HP Honda had no problem. I was worried about what to do if the motor conked out. I guess I would have anchored quickly so that the boat did not end up on the shore, and waited it out.
I did feel very confident that the M15 would not swamp and keep me safe, and it did. Very good boat. In the future I will make sure to bring more fuel, although I did have a full tank, and noted it to be about 1/2 full when I returned. In thinking about it I do believe the anchor is an important safety tool to have on board also for just this reason. A learning experience today.
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com