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You leave on a gorgeous sunny day with a 12-knot breeze blowing out of the south and a forecast for much of the same. It’s going to be a great day. After a solid two hours of sailing in perfect conditions, more white caps begin to emerge and the sky seems irritated. You know the mood of the wind is changing and, as a sailor, know you’ll be adjusting along with it. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when you feel that feeling. We encourage you to add to the list in the comments below…
- Tidy Up
Look around the boat and make sure everything is “ship shape.” When things get hairy, a messy boat with lines to trip over and things to slip on and get in your way is no good. Being disheveled in a howling wind can be a disaster. A fully heeled over and powered up boat is actually fun if everything is where it should be. If something happens to snap or go boing on a disordered boat, things can become chaotic quickly. Always be tidying in all weather but definitely if you feel it starting to pipe up.
- Hunker Down
Make sure everything that could get loose won’t. Perhaps some things in the galley are usually fine for a normal daysail, but will create an obstacle course when the boat starts slamming around. Or maybe you have some things lashed down that need to really be lashed down now. Do a survey above and below and make sure it all looks solid for a rockin’.
- Reef
It’s important to practice reefing on medium-wind days so when the time arises, it’s not a new experience. Sailing leaned over in 30-knots and choppy seas is not the time to learn how to work a seldom-used system on the boat. So, when you notice the wind may be changing her tune, look to the reefing system and make sure it all looks good to go. As it builds more, throw a reef in sooner than later. It’s a great feeling to put a reef in, see the wind come way up and be in total control – no bug-eyed fear, no heart racing, just a calm shift to another gear and more sailing!
- Change Clothing
There are times when the weather changes pretty quickly and the tee shirt and shorts become a serious liability when the sun goes away and the wind bears down. It’s very often the case in heavier weather that the skipper and crew will be stuck in their respective positions to keep the boat sailing and passengers safe. To be shivering and stiff is obviously not the best way to face a challenge. As things begin to shift remember this and grab the foulies. If you’re dressed correctly for the event you can face it without compromise. Seems like an obvious point but the environment can suddenly get colder than one might anticipate.
- Grab that PFD
If it isn’t already on, put one on. No one wants to think that they could end up in the drink but heavy weather can get wild. There might be call to go up on a very slippery deck in an extremely bouncy environment. It’s flat out foolish to not wear a life jacket in heavy weather – the chances of survival plummet should the worst happen. Throw that baby on, plow through those big ol’ waves, enjoy this essential part of the sailing experience and have a story to tell later…one with a happy ending.
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Responses
When you put on the PFD, pick up the tether and connect it. Tuck the shackle end in a pocket so you are ready to clip in when it gets rough. If everyone on board is ready to clip in, no one has to go hunting tethers when the blow turns nasty.
Q: When should you reef? A: When you say, “I wonder if I should reef.”
Reef after jib/head sail has been secured. All hatches have been secured. if still listing out of control Reef.
Check forecast/weather update to prepare for what is developing.
Excellent advice.
Great advice! Been there done that but newbies don’t think ahead and better to be prepared than learn through a harsh experience. Love the galley advice….had to clean up a few messes…gimballed stoves do not keep pots and pans on them in rough seas. Best to stow everything.
Practice heaving to in the calm days so you know how to do it in a blow.
Also, when you have your PFD on snap onto the jacklines – you may need to go upfront to untangle a line and you do want to be safe – man-overboard practice at this time is a no-go!
Be Safe!
Check the crew to make sure no one is seasick – decide on crew assignments from that – turn for home as able. Check the weather forecast.
Great short list of what to do. Don’t wait for a bad experience to teach you these lessons. It could the a disaster and not just a bad experience.
Regarding (3) above, if the question, “Should I reef?”, crosses your mind, it’s time to reef.
ASA’s Ash Ashbaugh recommends always to reef sometime between sunset and the end of civil twilight, even if it’s a beautiful, moon-lighted evening for night sailing. It’s far easier to shake out a reef at 3am then to put one in.
Excellent reminders because after a string of good days, anyone can become lax in the precautions. Been there, done that. I’d just add: Have a back-up sailing plan. For coastal cruising or inland bays and large lakes; you will have to change course, run far downwind, or vary from your originally planned course. Chart the windward shores, lee of islands, sheltered bays and inlets including bottom contours for some various optional destinations.
This is excellent! Reefing early bears repeating.
The rule on my boat is: when you ask yourself, “Is it time to reef?”, it is time to reef.
Gloves are always good to prevent rope burn
There is no shame to dropping the sails and starting the motor. If the crew is inexperienced, this might be the safest thing to do.
Although all 5 are extremely important and not to be overlooked, reefing is the only SAILING procedure that was mentioned. Don’t forget to tether…
When in doubt, let it out, or
Sea anchor and ride it out.
A safety harness is also mandatory
Roll up Jib/ head sail. Batten down hatches. Have two hands on deck to handle main sail and of course one on the wheel/helm. Seal cabin entrance.
Good list…Except…Reefing should be #1…”Reef Early, Reef Often & Reef Deep “…..Jus’say’n!
A sea Anchor is a good thing if you are far enough off shore. Get it ready to deploy. In the Wellington-Lyttelton yacht race tragedy it was mentioned that if the yachts had deployed sea anchors they would have been able to ride out the storm in safety. Always had one just incase, never had to use it but always felt good it was ready if the weather got really nasty.
That is supper helpful thx.