[Rhodes22-list] Heaving To
Bill Effros
bill at effros.com
Wed Apr 6 12:15:39 EDT 2005
Hank,
The general explanation provided by Mark is excellent. I've added it to
my collection.
The R-22 with IMF is particularly well suited to heaving to in winds
from 20-30 kts. Above 30 kts. it starts to get difficult to control an
R-22, and I get off the water under those conditions--where we sail,
those winds will push you into something--and it can be tough to move in
another direction.
Following is my answer to your question from 2001. Larry Sparks started
this thread in 1998:
Here's what Larry Sparks had to say about heaving to:
RE heaving to. You have to balance the sails and rudder. Easiest way is
to furl the jib to about 100%, tack and don't release the jib sheet, ease
out the main on the new tack to balance against the backwinded jib, and set
the tiller somewhat to leeward to further balance. Try it, it works..Larry
It does work.
I heave to almost every time I go out. I do it for practice because I think
it's the safest thing to do if you get caught in a storm like the ones Mike
& Michael described. I also do it because I generally single-hand and it
allows me to grab lunch; take a leak; or do whatever I need to do wherever I
happen to be without losing control or setting an anchor.
I've gone out in gale force winds to try it out, and found it works just as
well when you need it. I've never been caught in a storm, but one day I
will be and when that day comes you can be sure I will heave to.
The Rhodes-22 doesn't come about easily when the winds exceed 25-30 knots.
I find it simpler to jibe under those conditions. I furl most of both sails
before starting this maneuver.
Heaving to is incredibly peaceful even when the winds are howling. Both
sails are reduced to comfortable levels. The main spills most of the air
that hits it. Just enough jib is let out to balance the main. The tiller
is lashed to steer the boat sort of into the wind. The wind will push the
boat somewhat sideways at 11/2 to 2 knots. Your course doesn't zigzag. You
just bob along like a cork; your direction is like a slow moving crab.
You don't have to do or touch anything. Just watch where you are going. It
is effortless, and can be done for days at a time if need be.
A friend of mine found himself on an 80 foot wooden sailing vessel midway
between the continental United States and Bermuda when hurricane Mitch hit.
The captain of the ship (a woman by the way) decided to heave to. My friend
took videos of the storm. It looks nothing like the "perfect storm." It's
just a half dozen people on jacklines bobbing along on a big wooden boat
debating the size of the waves (they were in the 25-50 foot range) and
reflexively shouting "Wheeeeeeeee" as they slide down the faces of the
waves. They hove to for 2 days. My friend says in the future he will
always heave to in a storm. So will I.
Bill Effros
Hank wrote:
>OK, maybe you guys can finally answer for me what exactly is heaving
>to? I've heard of it and I would like to try and figure out how to do
>it, but I have never been able to get someone to explain exactly what
>it is?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Hank
>
>On Apr 6, 2005 10:04 AM, Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Slim,
>>
>>In 30 kts. I use only enough sail to maintain control. It's all done by
>>feel, but the process is exactly the same as balancing the sails when
>>sailing normally. This is not difficult to do with the IMF, because you
>>have so much less sail out. You point into the wind, and work with the
>>boom over the cockpit. Same with the Genny. Don't try to fight the wind.
>>
>>How far you drift is a function of lots and lots of variables. I would
>>estimate between 1 1/2 and 3 kts/hr. The variable you can't control is
>>your freeboard, so you must decide on an angle you want to present your
>>freeboad to the wind, and set sails and rudder appropriately.
>>
>>Pointing high is not an option under high wind conditions, but you will
>>have more than 180 degrees of sailing possibilities when hove to in high
>>wind situations.
>>
>>I do not drop the centerboard when heaving to, because I am often not
>>watching where I am going from minute to minute, and don't want to
>>increase the risk of hitting something. In Long Island Sound the
>>greatest risk is Lobster Pots, which can be anywhere, can be anchored to
>>the seabed, and can bring a large sailing vessel to a dead halt in a
>>second. The last thing you want is to be fighting undersea cables
>>suddenly attached to your boat in a wind storm. With the board up,
>>stuff may kiss the bottom, but the boat will float over it with the next
>>wave.
>>
>>I have never used a sea anchor and would be disinclined to do so.
>>Practice heaving to instead. Once you understand it, you see that you
>>can maintain control of your boat in almost any situation. (No wind, no
>>control.)
>>
>>Heaving to with an IMF is as interesting as sailing with an IMF. I do
>>different things almost every time I try it, to better understand what
>>to do in an "emergency".
>>
>>Yes, you can sail in many different directions when hove to. You can go
>>faster or slower. You can be more comfortable and relaxed, or less.
>>But once you make these decisions, you lash your tiller, and lock into
>>the decisions you made until you decide to change to a different
>>strategy or course.
>>
>>Bill Effros
>>
>>Steve Alm wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Bill,
>>>
>>>When heaving to in the 30 kt. range, how deep are your sails reefed?
>>>Also, do you have any estimate of how far you drift in an hour? Can you
>>>slow the drift by dropping the board? Do you ever use a sea anchor? Do you
>>>do anything different when conditions vary from wind and current in the same
>>>direction to wind and current in different directions?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have heaved-to (hoven-to?) under similar conditions, and it was a
>>>>delightful piece of cake. I ate a casual meal, listened to my stereo,
>>>>and could sail my boat exactly where I wanted it to be for hours on
>>>>end.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>I'm a little confused here. Are you heaving to or are you sailing? Can you
>>>steer the boat in different directions while you're heaving to?
>>>
>>>Slim
>>>
>>>On 3/14/05 9:47 PM, "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Peter,
>>>>
>>>>As mentioned previously, my boat is on a mooring when it's in the
>>>>water--a 300 lb. mushroom anchor with properly sized ground tackle
>>>>pulled and inspected once every 3 years--which is a harbor master
>>>>condition for all boats in our harbor, so I know the anchor and tackle
>>>>will hold, and everyone else's is going to hold, too.
>>>>
>>>>One night, out of curiosity, I decided to stay on board when I knew a
>>>>good blow was coming through, just to see what it would be like. It is
>>>>not an experience I ever intend to repeat.
>>>>
>>>>The wind was in the 30 kt. range. The harbor is sheltered, so the waves
>>>>never get much beyond 1-2 feet, but the tidal range is 9 feet, so a lot
>>>>of water funnels in and out at a pretty good clip. Once the decision is
>>>>made to stay on board, its a very very bad idea to change your mind.
>>>>
>>>>Intellectually I knew the boat had been through these conditions many
>>>>times in the past without incident--the only difference was that I was
>>>>on board. No pop-top enclosure. Everything battened down as if I were
>>>>not on board.
>>>>
>>>>The boat creaked and strained all night long. If anything gave way, it
>>>>was going to give way with a "snap"--and I was quite sure I didn't want
>>>>to be on board if that happened. I didn't think I was going to die, and
>>>>I thought nothing would give way that night...probably. But I was not a
>>>>happy sailor; I got very little sleep; and I couldn't formulate any
>>>>reasonable plan for what I might do if something happened. I just hoped
>>>>nothing would happen, and nothing did.
>>>>
>>>>If I had set anchors, I couldn't have checked them. (I surely would have
>>>>set multiple anchors.) That would have added to my anxiety. The boat
>>>>has fouled the mushroom anchor in the past and lifted it right out of
>>>>the bottom. I checked it for fouling before I went below.
>>>>
>>>>I have heaved-to (hoven-to?) under similar conditions, and it was a
>>>>delightful piece of cake. I ate a casual meal, listened to my stereo,
>>>>and could sail my boat exactly where I wanted it to be for hours on
>>>>end. My pond is big enough (Long Island Sound) so that I can stay off
>>>>lee shores for enough time to catch a little sleep.
>>>>
>>>>If I ever see conditions like those coming again I will surely get off
>>>>my boat if I can. If I can't, I will find open water and heave to.
>>>>
>>>>Bill
>>>>
>>>>Peter Thorn wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Bill,
>>>>>
>>>>>What are the worst conditions you have experienced at anchor? Have you ever
>>>>>been caught out in 30+ winds and waves? If so, how did you anchor? Just
>>>>>curious.
>>>>>
>>>>>PT
>>>>>
>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
>>>>>To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>>>Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 7:04 PM
>>>>>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Anchor Chain Question
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Bill,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I've got the Fortress FX11, and I think it's a terrific anchor. I also
>>>>>>have the smallest Guardian anchor, which I store in a pouch,
>>>>>>unassembled, and I've been very happy with that one also.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I think those people know a lot about anchors, and I would be inclined
>>>>>>to follow their recommendations.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I have several lines with differing amounts of chain on each, and
>>>>>>several with no chain at all. I find I always go for the no chain at
>>>>>>all, because I've never had any trouble with it, and it's so much easier
>>>>>>to handle.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The trick to anchoring (as with so many other things) is practice. Try
>>>>>>setting your anchor when it's not critical. See if you have enough
>>>>>>navigation skill to be able to determine if your anchor is dragging.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>When it's really blowing you shouldn't be on our boats in the first
>>>>>>place. Anchoring and praying is not the answer. If you are trapped in
>>>>>>a situation like this, and can't get to shore, head for open water and
>>>>>>heave-to. Practice heaving-to, too. Work with the elements, not
>>>>>>against them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The guy who developed those anchors recommends setting 2 at 180 degrees
>>>>>>apart and tying both off on the bow. Then neither one will have to
>>>>>>reset if current or wind shifts. Differing lengths of chain will not
>>>>>>matter, longer scope can be set because the boat will rotate in a much
>>>>>>smaller arc relative to other boats.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Avoid anchor overkill. That goes for the chain, too.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Bill Effros
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>William E. Wickman wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I just got my nifty Fortress FX7 anchor. The instructions that came with
>>>>>>>the anchor said to use a short length of anchor chain (6 feet of chain if
>>>>>>>anchoring in 25' of water or less, and add another 6 feet of chain for
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>each
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>additional 25' of depth). Their claim is that chain anchor rodes lack
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>shock absorbancy of nylon rope when the wind increases. This advice runs
>>>>>>>contrary to what I have been reading in the Rhodes FAQ that most of you
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>are
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>using around 20 feet of chain. So, does the Fortress require less chain
>>>>>>>because it is so light? What gives? I presume that these anchor guys
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>know
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>what they are talking about, but...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Also, since I have 20 feet of chain that I use with my gbi anchor, what
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>are
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>the dynamics of using shorter chain on a second anchor when setting two
>>>>>>>anchors? Does it really matter?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>B. Wickman
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>__________________________________________________
>>>>>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>__________________________________________________
>>>>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>__________________________________________________
>>>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>__________________________________________________
>>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>__________________________________________________
>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>__________________________________________________
>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>
>>
>>
>__________________________________________________
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