[Rhodes22-list] Handling Gusts

[Mary Lou Troy]

We head up and if that isn't enough to flatten the boat we let out 
the main. I'm short enough that I can't brace my feet on the opposite 
seat unless I'm right up by the companionway so I sometimes find 
myself dangling from the winch. When it's boisterous it helps if your 
passengers know that (a) the boat won't go over and (b) where they 
can hold on or brace themselves to avoid being flung across the boat. 
It helps if everybody knows to watch for gusts. If it's relatively 
calm with only a few gusts you can see them coming on the water. If 
it's higher winds with even higher gusts they need to be holding on 
or bracing somehow. If you are confident that everyone will keep 
their heads out of the way, you can also lower the boom.

Mary Lou
1991 R22 Fretless
Rock Hall, MD


At 11:50 AM 9/8/2008, you wrote:

>My point in this thread is how other Rhodies deal w/ gusts considering
>potential passengers/wives on board. Mind you in earlier posts I have now
>taken advantage early reefing & infinite reef points of our IMF and learning
>that a flat boat is a good thing, as opposed to the testoterone filled
>heeling at 25 degrees w/ water coming over the gunnels which I early summer
>(which I still love!)
>
>This is my 1st real year of sailing. The Rhodes my first sailboat.
>
>I'm just wondering the adjustments people make during gusts and what order.
>Do you stay on course and manage a heavy tiller? Head into the wind. Let out
>the main sail. Reef and how much at a time?
>
>Our mainsail was full and our jib at 2/3 out (jib clew is touching the
>outer-middle stay) and really only had several gusts, maintained course, had
>a heavy tiller, 98% of the time we happy sailing! On outing w/ my wife and
>kids. Our main sail would center right on the R logo (approx 2/3's sail) w/
>the jib about where the forward stay is and we're able to keep heeling at a
>minimum.
>
>Michael
>
>
>Rob Lowe wrote:
> >
> > Michael,
> > I would suggest that is normal sailing on a Rhodes 22.  Gusts happen.
> > And you still had 6 inches of free board.  Wait until water starts
> > slipping over the gunnel :)  But your point about how the admiral would
> > react is well taken.  Mine had to get used to the idea that sailboats do
> > heel in gusts.  The first year we had the boat she would almost panic
> > when we heeled over.  Now she's mostly used to it.  Sometimes things fly
> > around the boat.  I dumped both dogs and the seat cushions onto the
> > cockpit floor yesterday.  Oops.  Have confidence in your boat.  Now,
> > that being said, there are things you can do to minimize the effects.
> > I, like Lou, will dump the main if needed, but that's going to roll the
> > boat in the other direction and drop all your forward momentum which
> > might be as unsettling as heeling over for a bit.  Best to ease the main
> > and head up if you can.  During heavy gusts, on-course can give way to
> > sailing flat.  Shoot, out of the lake yesterday, there was no on-course.
> > I think the wind came from a sector about 100 degree wide, so we just go
> > where the wind wants to blow us.   Mostly, I watch for gusts.  I lake
> > sail and can usually see the gusts coming across the lake towards me and
> > even warn my crew they are coming.  But your crew will have to know and
> > get used to the they are on a sail boat and sail boats heel and that the
> > captain knows what s/he's doing and can respond as needed.  Good luck. -
> > rob
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> > [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of MichaelT
> > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 10:30 AM
> > To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Handling Gusts
> >
> >
> > We experienced approx 4-5 gusts of wind in our 3 hour sail yesterday. I
> > was
> > just imagining if our wives we're onboard how frantic they would have
> > been.
> >
> > In those instances, the weather helm gave way to a heavy tiller with the
> > tiller positioned at 45 degree to windward to remain on-course. I was
> > considering letting the main sheet out but the gusts all happen in about
> > 10-20 seconds and then disappears.
> >
> > How do you guys handle gusts of wind?
> >
> > Especially when the gusts causes heavy heeling (gunnel 6" from water)
> >
> > Michael
> > --
> > View this message in context:
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> >
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