Curtis, - Observation #1: Heavy weather starts much earlier upwind than downwind. Whatever combination of sails that will be good upwind will be too small downwind. Upwind, nothing is more fun than a real jib especially cut for the weather. Don't forget that 20 knots true becomes 25 knots apparent when going upwind at 6 knots. It's time to try on your 110%. The 110% is enough, likely with a reef or two in the main, to control the heel. Downwind, get rid of the reefs and enjoy the ride. - Observation #2: beware of being underpowered. The boat needs power to go nicely in the waves. When the boat is heeling at 20 degrees with full sails in 8 knots, the tension in the rigging is exactly the same as when the boat is heeling at 20 degrees in heavy winds with a jib and two reefs. But, in heavy weather, because it's noisy and impressive, we tend to underpower the boat and get impressed when the boat starts heeling. - Occasionally, the rail will go in the water. As long as this is occasional and not constant, don't worry bout it. the boat is fine and can take up much more, believe me. I've seen the cabin side windows under water on occasion. - In heavy weather, noise is impressive, chase and try to reduce all source of noise, especially if sails are flapping. Noise reduction has a tremendous effect on crew perception of the weather. - Heavy weather in sunny days is much easier than exactly the same wind with overcast. A matter of perception again. - Smaller jibs are easier when tacking. Good, because with flapping sails, even your sheets becomes a hazard. - This is where a removable forestay with a rolling genoa is really fun. You put up the jib upwind. Downwind you just unroll as much genoa as you need. Upwind, in 25 knots (true, of course) and up, a 65% jib works perfectly - One word about wind speed. There is 15 knots average, with gusts at 20. You put up the sails for 15 and adjust in the gusts. That is not the same as 20 knots steady. Adlard Coles was defining heavy weather at 25 knots wind which also meant the wind is steady at 25 knots and never gets below it, at sea level, not 40 feet above. Yes, I've seen it, and worse. - Remember, the progression in wind speed does not have a linear effect on your boat. The pressure of the wind increase with the square of speed. A 16 knots wind is twice the speed of an 8 knots wind, but the pressure in your sails increased four times. So. compared to an 8 knots wind, the pressure on your sails induce by a 24 knot wind is nine time greater. Don't believe anyone who tells you they go out and have fun in 40 knots wind, it's 25 time stronger than 8 knots.
Get well dressed right away and have fun. Antoine (C&C Cousin) Le 2013-11-01 à 15:12, Curtis a écrit : > I'm kind of new at the big boat thing. I have owned it for 2 years now > and have had some great days sailing but no with any wind really. Well > this weekend will offer a cold front with some good wind to practice > in > Here is what the weather man is calling for. > > Sat > NW winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft...subsiding to 3 to 4 ft in the > afternoon. A chance of showers...mainly in the morning. > Sat Night > NW winds 10 to 15 kt...increasing to 15 to 20 kt after midnight. Seas > 3 to 4 ft. > Sun > N winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. > Sun Night > NE winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft...building to 4 to 5 ft after midnight. > Do you think I would need to reef in this weather? Like I said I have > had plenty of days in 8 to sa 14 knots of wind. So what’s your > recommendation to a newby in this weather? > > Thanks for your help. > Keep in mind my sail inventory > 1) Working head 110% sail with 2 reef points. > 2) Working Main sail > 3) Racing main sail > 3) 135% Genoa > 4) 155% Genoa > 5) 170% drifter > 6) asymmetrical kite with sock. > > Thanks again for your help. I need anybody’s specific advice on how > the C&C 30 MK1 handles this kind of air. > > > -- > “Sailors, with their built in sense of order, service and discipline, > should really be running the world.” - Nicholas Monsarrat > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
