Heavy Weather Sailing Tactics
What is the best thing to do in a storm or thunderstorm?
There are a lot of different tactics and it depends a lot on the boat and the crew.
The most common tactics are:
Shortening sail
When the wind has increased, it is time to reef the sails. This is easier to do while the wind is still manageable.
Note: Some boats become severely unbalanced, when sailing with the genua alone.
Heaving to
Many offshore sailors consider heaving to under reduced sail one of the best tactics in winds up to 50 knots. Heaving to means setting up the sails and the rudder so they oppose one another and the boat stops making headway. As the boats motion eases considerably, this tactic has usually also a very positive effect on the crew.
Note: Heaving to is not only a storm tactic. Stopping the boat to navigate, make repairs or enjoy a dinner can be quite pleasant.
Sea anchore, drogues and warps
This are techniques to slow down your boat. Usually not something a coastal sailor has to know.
Lying ahull
Not really advisable. Lying ahull means taking down the sails and no steering. The boat then is like a cork floating on the surface being bashed by waves in every direction.
Important note:
- Always protect yourself first. The boat is stronger than people
- Take action early enough
- Watch out for clouds and wind changes
total
MMm.. Not a very complete story. Eevery storm is different and for all, every yacht is. Some like it to go with a storm, others are better in heaving to but, having dinner in a situation like that is the last thing you probably want. For us (on a classic 60 footer) we like to sil on as good as possible to get away form it and maintain something like steady course. Eat enough, drink enough and try to sleep some. It will get better eventually!
Top Tip
Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Think about your boat and crew abilities before the weather approaches or you even set sail!. Reef early, stow everything properly, prepare food in advance, Brief the crew and any shoreside contacts(if possible). Prepare the boat and ensure all the equipment you may need e.g drogues etc are easy to get and not burried in a locker.
You should also practice streaming drogues rigging storm sails on a good day so you know how it all works and can brief the crew properly.
Also write any safety training exercises you do in the Log Book!!!! may be usefull one day!
As Rene says it will get better eventually.
50 kts wind is serious stuff but if your in a sound well prepared boat with an experienced crew it can even be enjoyed, it is very very tiring though, so short watches and rest is essential.
There are lots of different tactics that can be employed depending on the circumstances and lots of written info on each.
Enjoy!
Great advice, Richard. “Lying ahull” and “hove to” worked well, easy to do. To perfect storm tactics, practice in moderate weather and other safer conditions such as off a weather shore so waves don’t have a chance to build. I’d take people sailing in small craft warnings but stay inside a great bay. We’d reef before leaving the dock, of course. And what you said is so important about briefing the crew — and passengers — about boat gear, routines, and about the conditions. Everyone’s happy. Also, read “Heavy Weather Sailing” by K.Adlard Coles, it’s a great big read and it will help prep you even for survival sailing.
When it get’s real tough, have a coldy and draw it up while it’s still cold…. :) lol