[Rhodes22-list] How to Handle Gusty Winds

[John Lock]

At 07:37 AM 4/23/2007 -0500, W Buck wrote:
>John, I know it sounds wrong but trust me. :-)  If you really are just
>sailing around and don't care about losing headway (createing leeway)
>raising the CB will reduce heeling. I sail all the time in heavy winds
>(single handed) and often do this when winds are really gusty.

I'm going to give that a try next time we get some more 
wind.  Forecast looks pretty tame for the next few days.  At this 
point, headway is not important at all.  I have no particular 
destination and just want to go out, have some fun (and excitement), 
and learn what I can.  As long as there's room between me and the 
shoreline, leeway can be tolerated.

When motoring, I always have the CB up (read that on the list 
previously).  I don't have any tight quarters to negotiate, so I've 
got it easy in that respect.

Haven't tried the boom vang yet.  There is a bail for it on the boom 
and an eye on the mast.  However, I believe the mast eye is mounted 
too high, because it is meant to double as the hanger for the poptop 
(there's no slider on mine). So, I'm going to install another eye at 
the base of the mast.  That looks like it will give a much better 
angle for the vang to do its thing.

Speaking of which, I got a dramatic, first-hand demonstration of how 
much benefit I'd get from using a boom vang.  Last time out, while 
the wind was fairly light, I just reached up, grabbed the boom and 
held it down.  That immediately accelerated the boat half a knot.  I 
couldn't hold it down for long, but it was a pretty convincing 
experiment.  I have the vang stored below in the locker, but I need a 
couple shackles to hook it up. To repeat myself.... more research is 
required :-)

Cheers!

John Lock
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s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
Lake Sinclair, GA
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