J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
List classes of boat for sale |
Downwind Gusts |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
kurio99
Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Post Options
Quote Reply
Topic: Downwind Gusts Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 2:10pm |
Showing my ignorance again. Yesterday, I was out and about on a downwind run. Normally, the downwind runs tend to be the most boring point of sail, but not this time. Got hit by a front where the wind went from about 5 knts to 17 knts in less than a minute. My old dinghy was planing for all that its worth (which ain't much), but couldn't keep up with some of the really hard gusts (30 knts?). The rig was taking a pounding and boat was trying to turn broadside to the wind. Ideally, I should be hanging on and enjoying the ride, but what is plan B? Do I go with a snap turn to broadside or upwind to take the pressure off the sail? |
|
bferry
Posting king Joined: 01 Jun 09 Location: Malta Online Status: Offline Posts: 190 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 2:23pm |
You would need to ease the pressure off the sails. Head up slowly onto a broad reach and spill the wind by keeping the mainsail eased. you can then head down again when the gust eases or sheet in to continue on broad reach.
|
|
Bernard
Vareo 249 Miracle 2818 Malta |
|
alstorer
Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 2:41pm |
If you round up suddenly you'll almost certainly end it with a swim...
|
|
-_
Al |
|
kurio99
Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 2:46pm |
I should also mention that the sail is not quite 90* due to the shrouds (closer to 70%). As soon as I start to turn, my sail area actually increases in the face of a big gust. A gradual turn might increase my risk of a leeward capsize.
|
|
kurio99
Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 2:51pm |
Forgot to mention that I was single handing a two sail boat, so the jib comes out of the shadow of the main as soon as I start to turn. Basically, my sail area gets much bigger.
|
|
bferry
Posting king Joined: 01 Jun 09 Location: Malta Online Status: Offline Posts: 190 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 3:06pm |
In that case I'd just let the jib fly to reduce sail area.
|
|
Bernard
Vareo 249 Miracle 2818 Malta |
|
Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 4:30pm |
Hold on and send it........wooohoo baby! Hope the gust is gone before the shore arrives
|
|
Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
|
|
RS400atC
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 4:55pm |
IMHO, downwind you generally just have to bear off in the really big gusts.
Between gusts you should head up a bit to keep the boat going as fast as possible, reducing the apparent wind. If you need to change direction, then pick a wave and a lull to turn fast to a close reach, then work from there. |
|
bferry
Posting king Joined: 01 Jun 09 Location: Malta Online Status: Offline Posts: 190 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 5:24pm |
I agree with you on bearing away, especially if flying a kite, however what I think kurio99 is having trouble with is depowering when having headed as low as possible. Bearing away further would risk an accidental gybe. With the shrouds limiting the travel of the mainsail it is impossible to sheet out the mainsail more than the shrouds allow. Neptute seems to have the right idea!
|
|
Bernard
Vareo 249 Miracle 2818 Malta |
|
winging it
Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 12 at 8:30pm |
RS400 is right - you have to bear away, but the trick in big winds is not to be running dead downwind in the first place. Instead, aim to sail on a braod reach. That way you can bear off onto a training run (boom just in from the shrouds) in the gust, ride it out, then head back up again in between gusts. Don't have the board up as far as you normally would, to damp any rolling, and if the boat does start to roll, pull some kicker on. Sit towards the back of the boat and sit out when you want to bear away. If you sit forward and in, the boat will try to head up, contradicting what the rig wants to do.
If you're worried about the gybe then don't - head up and tack, then bear off, sitting out and back as you do so. Another point: most people find running dull in light to medium stuff, much as you say you do so. If you can learn to work the sail and the shifts and really concentrate downwind you will gain masses. Most people go to sleep on the run - take advantage of this and get past them! |
|
the same, but different...
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |