Downwind Gusts

   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? 

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kurio99 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote kurio99 Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 01 Jun 09 Location: Malta Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Post Options Post Reply Quote bferry Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote kurio99 Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 18 Dec 09 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Post Options Post Reply Quote kurio99 Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 01 Jun 09 Location: Malta Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Post Options Post Reply Quote bferry Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 01 Jun 09 Location: Malta Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Post Options Post Reply Quote bferry Report Post 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 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post 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...