[Rhodes22-list] What Should I Have Done Differently?

Herb Parsons hparsons at parsonsys.com
Thu Feb 21 09:03:58 EST 2008


Sorry Slim, I didn't explan very well. I meant I thought the VIDEO ended 
abruptly.

Steven Alm wrote:
> The two links that Herb posted are spot-on.  My procedure is just like the
> one in the video.  After they come about and commerce to back-winding the
> main by not releasing the jib sheet, they make the comment "...be
> patient..."  and wait for the boat to stall and stop sailing.  (I don't know
> why you'd think the boat stopped too abruptly--that's exactly the
> point--it's supposed to stop right away.)  Instead, you still have some
> forward motion and if you throw the tiller over to the lee too soon, you'll
> tack back through the eye of the wind and you'll just be back where you
> started.  So wait until the boat has stalled and gradually put the tiller to
> the lee (steering towards the eye of the wind)  and within seconds you'll be
> stalled and have no "way," then lash the tiller off to leeward.
>
> Now you can play with your sheets to find out how best you want to lie hove
> to for your boat and your conditions.  Typically, I ease the jib sheet so
> that the head sail is full and baggy and I ease the main sheet so the tiller
> is about perpendicular to the boom--more if it's really blowing.  The bow
> yaws upwind until the wind fills the jib which pushes the bow downwind until
> the boat is so off the wind that the jib luffs and the main fills and pushes
> the stern downwind until the main luffs;  and back and forth.
>
> Former list member, Bill Effros used to claim that he could steer his boat
> with the sheets while heaving to.  Maybe he can but the whole point of
> heaving to is to be hands free and not tending to the controls.  I heave to
> in order to leave the controls and slowly drift dead down wind while I'm
> doing something else.
>
> Herb's second link talks about heaving to under storm jib alone or main
> alone.  I've never tried either of these--I always heave to with both
> sails--but I'll make an effort to try them out this season.  But I'm mainly
> a lake sailor so I heave to for only short periods of time rather than as a
> storm tactic.  What I like the best about heaving to is that I don't have to
> douse any sails.   But still, it's always fun to experiment.
>
> Everybody should know this because it's 1, very easy to do and 2, very
> useful in many ways and 3, it's a safety thing.  It only takes a minute to
> try it the next time you're out and the best thing is that the R22 is so
> forgiving that you really can't get into too much trouble if you do it
> wrong.  ...um, unless it's blowing 30.  Best to try it out in 10-15 until
> you get the hang of it.
>
> Slim
>
> On Wed, Feb 20, 2008 at 4:06 PM, Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
> wrote:
>
>   
>> Rik, et al.
>>
>> As I don't like to beat up my sails, I often
>> reef the main (if it is not already reefed)
>> to reduce the flapping that usually
>> accompanies a luffing sail in a stiff
>> breeze.
>>
>> /Robert
>> -------------------------------------------------
>> Rik Sandberg wrote:
>>     
>>> Herb,
>>>
>>> Nope. Just let the main take care of itself. It will fill and luff
>>> continually, on it's own, the whole while you are hove to.
>>>
>>> Rik
>>>
>>> There is no magic to Free Enterprise. It is the best way to create
>>>       
>> wealth, but it does not prevent people from making mistakes. Capitalism
>> offers people a chance to make money. But it also offers them a chance to
>> make fools of themselves. Free Enterprise – like the rest of life – merely
>> permits nature to take her course.....Bill Bonner
>>     
>>> Herb Parsons wrote:
>>>       
>>>> Yeah, I always thought it stopped abruptly, but I don't do anything
>>>>         
>> more
>>     
>>>> with the main, I just let it luff. Is there something I'm missing?
>>>>
>>>> Hank wrote:
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>>> The video looked like it stopped a minute or two too soon.  It didn't
>>>>>           
>> show
>>     
>>>>> what to do with the main after you lash the tiller.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hank
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 2/20/08, Herb Parsons <hparsons at parsonsys.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>>>> For anyone who didn't have the "light bulb go on", here are two very
>>>>>> good links on the subject. The first is a video, and second is a
>>>>>>             
>> more
>>     
>>>>>> detailed description of the procedure, and what it does (really
>>>>>>             
>> geared
>>     
>>>>>> to open water sailing). On the second link, you have to scroll about
>>>>>>             
>> 2/3
>>     
>>>>>> the way down for the specifics on heaving-to.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> One interesting side note on heaving-to under heavy weather
>>>>>>             
>> conditions -
>>     
>>>>>> and please note, this is just what I was told, I've not had the
>>>>>> opporunity to try this in a storm. Supposedly, heaving-to in a storm
>>>>>>             
>> not
>>     
>>>>>> only gives you a break from sailing the weather, it also is calms
>>>>>>             
>> the
>>     
>>>>>> waves hitting the boat. The theory is that because a hove-to boat is
>>>>>> actually going downwind "sideways", the waterflow under the hull
>>>>>>             
>> lessens
>>     
>>>>>> the impact of the waves on the windward side of the hull.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I waited two years before I actually tried heaving-to because I 1)
>>>>>> didn't believe it would work and 2) figured if it DID work, every
>>>>>>             
>> sailor
>>     
>>>>>> I knew would know how to do it (only one that knew actually did). It
>>>>>>             
>> was
>>     
>>>>>> when I saw the video below that I finally believed it would actually
>>>>>> work. I've made up my mind that the next time a decent storm blows
>>>>>> through, even if I'm just on the lake, I'm going to test out the
>>>>>> "calming the waters" idea.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/heaving_to_wmv1.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/articledetail.html?lid=1284
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Caesar Paul wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> Jack,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I felt the same way about Slim's explanation of the "heave to"
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> procedure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> The light bulb did go on Slim, thats an accomplishment.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Caesar
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----
>>>>>>> From: Jack Chirch <jchirch at hughes.net>
>>>>>>> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:31:58 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] What Should I Have Done Differently?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Slim -
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for the clear explanation.  I've passed a couple of dinghy
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> sailing
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> courses, and spent a few days on friends' boats--even sailed my
>>>>>>>               
>> Rhodes
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> once,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> and had a vague idea how to accomplish this, but your step-through
>>>>>>>               
>> makes
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> it
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> much clearer.  Think I may paste it under the bill of my cap!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jack
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>>>>>>> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Steven Alm
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:37 AM
>>>>>>> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] What Should I Have Done Differently?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Jack,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Re heaving to:  It's considered one of the points of sail even
>>>>>>>               
>> though
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> the
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> idea is to stop sailing and drift, but without dropping your sails
>>>>>>>               
>> and
>>     
>>>>>>> without the chaos of luffing.  It's very easy to do and I use it
>>>>>>>               
>> all the
>>     
>>>>>>> time whenever I need to use the head or go below for any reason
>>>>>>>               
>> like
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> making
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> a snack, making a repair or just taking a break.  And in context of
>>>>>>>               
>> this
>>     
>>>>>>> thread, it's a great way to make changes in your sail
>>>>>>>               
>> plan--especially
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> if
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> your single-handing.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Get yourself on a close reach and then plan to come about.  Come
>>>>>>>               
>> about
>>     
>>>>>>> through the wind like usual but don't let the jib sheet go after
>>>>>>>               
>> you
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> come
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> about.  Let the main tack across like usual.  Now ease the main
>>>>>>>               
>> sheet
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> and
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> ease the jib sheet some but don't release it.  This is called
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> "back-winding
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> the main."  So now your jib is full and very baggy and your main is
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> luffing
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> a little for a moment then stops.  You put the helm to the lee.  In
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> other
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> words the tiller and the boom are approximately perpendicular.
>>>>>>>               
>>  Lock the
>>     
>>>>>>> tiller in place and now you are hands free.  The boat will yaw back
>>>>>>>               
>> and
>>     
>>>>>>> forth some but mostly beam to the wind and slowly drifting
>>>>>>>               
>> downwind.
>>     
>>>>>>> Centerboard down will slow the drift.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> To reef in the jib, you first ease out its (windward) sheet and
>>>>>>>               
>> then
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> take in
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> the reefing line.  If you need to reef in the main, you should
>>>>>>>               
>> heave to
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> on a
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> port tack so the boom is off to starboard.  To get going all you
>>>>>>>               
>> have to
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> do
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> is release the windward sheet and take it in on the other side just
>>>>>>>               
>> like
>>     
>>>>>>> completing your tack.  Adjust both sheets as desired and you're
>>>>>>>               
>> under
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> way
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> immediately.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About those four horn cleats on the boom; I always tie the inhaul
>>>>>>>               
>> line
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> on
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> the first cleat, most forward and the outhaul line on the second
>>>>>>>               
>> cleat.
>>     
>>>>>>> That way both lines are close together and I don't have to lean way
>>>>>>>               
>> out
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> to
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> get to the out haul and have the same problem with that as Mark
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> describes.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> The slack tails of those two lines are easily dealt with in many
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> ways.  Get
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> creative.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Heaving to is also how I reroute my jib sheets to the inboard
>>>>>>>               
>> position
>>     
>>>>>>> should I need to do that.  First, heave to in the way described
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> above.  Once
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> you're hoven (hiven? heaved? Having hove?)  reroute the lee sheet
>>>>>>>               
>> (the
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> slack
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> one.)  Now cut loose the windward sheet and get under way.  Pick up
>>>>>>>               
>> a
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> little
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> speed and tack across and heave to on the other side and reroute
>>>>>>>               
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> other
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> sheet.  With some practice, this double heave to is sort of like
>>>>>>>               
>> ballet
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> or
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> skiing royal christies.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Heaving to is also one of the tactics of storm survival but since
>>>>>>>               
>> I'm a
>>     
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> lake
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> sailor, that'd put me up on the lee shore in no time.  Best git on
>>>>>>>               
>> home.
>>     
>>>>>>> Slim
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Feb 18, 2008 11:49 PM, David Bradley <dwbrad at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>> Mark, you've probably gotten your fill of advice by now.  One
>>>>>>>>                 
>> thing I
>>     
>>>>>>>> would add...  once I'm clear of my slip I disconnect the steering
>>>>>>>> mechanism from tiller to motor while still motoring.  Does your
>>>>>>>> outboard have a pin to lock it in position?  The tiller will be
>>>>>>>>                 
>> 300%
>>     
>>>>>>>> lighter in your hand, and you can then unfurl the sails, kill the
>>>>>>>> motor and be underway, raising the motor when you're ready.  I use
>>>>>>>>                 
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>> steering mechanism only when I'm in a tight area.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dave
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Feb 18, 2008 12:55 PM,  <mputnam1 at aol.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I am hoping you can help me learn from my sailing experience
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> today.
>>     
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> know I must have done some things wrong, but maybe I did a few
>>>>>>>>                 
>> things
>>     
>>>>>>>> right because I was able to get back to the harbor safely in the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> end.
>>     
>>>>>>>> Let me describe what happened and then ask a few questions.  And
>>>>>>>>                 
>> let
>>     
>>>>>>>> me apologize in advance for not getting all my nautical terms
>>>>>>>>                 
>> right …
>>     
>>>>>>>> I'll do the best I can.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> My R-22 is kept at the Washington Sailing Marina on the Potomac
>>>>>>>>> River,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> just across the river from DC.  The weather this morning was
>>>>>>>> unseasonably warm with winds in the 15-20 knot range with gusts up
>>>>>>>>                 
>> to
>>     
>>>>>>>> 29, according to the coast guard weather report.  I knew a cold
>>>>>>>>                 
>> front
>>     
>>>>>>>> was approaching and that it would get windier as the day went on,
>>>>>>>>                 
>> but
>>     
>>>>>>>> it was around 11am and while I was a little uncertain about going
>>>>>>>>                 
>> out,
>>     
>>>>>>>> it was one of those rare weekdays when my lack of work intersected
>>>>>>>> with wind on the water.  So I decided to try and see if I could
>>>>>>>>                 
>> handle
>>     
>>>>>>>> it and learn something at the same time.  I had thought I'd read
>>>>>>>> enough on this group about how to handle the boat in windier
>>>>>>>> conditions – I wanted to put some of that knowledge to the test.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> I was single-handing the boat and motored out of the marina and
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> down
>>     
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> Potomac to where I usually head for the center of the river before
>>>>>>>> killing the engine, hauling it up and unfurling the main.  Before
>>>>>>>>                 
>> I
>>     
>>>>>>>> killed the engine, I noted that the water was choppy, but there
>>>>>>>>                 
>> were
>>     
>>>>>>>> no white caps.  I resolved to myself that if I began to see white
>>>>>>>> caps, I'd head home.  I pointed into the wind, killed the engine,
>>>>>>>> hauled the engine up and only let out a little less than half of
>>>>>>>>                 
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>> main (having read so many posts on this group about being
>>>>>>>>                 
>> conservative
>>     
>>>>>>>> in windier weather) and it almost immediately got out of my
>>>>>>>>                 
>> control.
>>     
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> The boat swerved into a beam reach and began tipping over, so I
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> let
>>     
>>>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> the main sheet to try and keep the mainsail from tipping me over.
>>>>>>>> Right then I noticed that white caps had appeared (great timing on
>>>>>>>>                 
>> my
>>     
>>>>>>>> part).  The clew and the foot of the main sail was thrashing
>>>>>>>>                 
>> around,
>>     
>>>>>>>> with a good amount of airspace between the clew and the boom.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> As an aside, I've never quite understood what is supposed to keep
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> foot of the sail close to the boom besides just securing the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> sheet.
>>     
>>>>>>>> In these stronger winds, the main was actively pulling away from
>>>>>>>>                 
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>> boom.  Am I perhaps missing some key component to keep the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> bottom/foot
>>     
>>>>>>>> of the main sail in tighter proximity to the boom?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> Because I had let out the main sheet to try and control the
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> heeling,
>>     
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> could not reach the line to furl the mainsail back into the mast.
>>>>>>>>                 
>>  The
>>     
>>>>>>>> line was out over the water.  So I was having to try and pull the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> boom
>>     
>>>>>>>> back into the cockpit to get a grip on the furling sheet … which,
>>>>>>>>                 
>> of
>>     
>>>>>>>> course, led to more heeling.  And when I pulled on the line to
>>>>>>>>                 
>> furl
>>     
>>>>>>>> the main, it wouldn't furl.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> And, most disturbingly, with so much wind filling the small
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> amount
>>     
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> the main that was out, I just couldn't furl the sail.  It wouldn't
>>>>>>>> budge.  I also noticed that more of the main seemed to be inching
>>>>>>>>                 
>> out.
>>     
>>>>>>>> I thought I had secured the main so it wouldn't further unfurl,
>>>>>>>>                 
>> but I
>>     
>>>>>>>> don't remember if I had and I don't remember checking it in all
>>>>>>>>                 
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>> hullabaloo.  It never fully unfurled, thank goodness, so maybe I
>>>>>>>>                 
>> had
>>     
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> secured it to some degree.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>> Anyway, every time I tried to point the boat into the wind, it
>>>>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> help give me more slack to furl the main.  It was noisy as hell,
>>>>>>>>                 
>> of
>>     
>>>>>>>> course, which I expected.  But I didn't get the slackness
>>>>>>>>                 
>> necessary to
>>     
>>>>>>>> furl the main.  And the boat didn't want to stay pointed into the
>>>>>>>> wind, which I found a little surprising.  I thought sailboats,
>>>>>>>>                 
>> when
>>     
>>>>>>>> pointed into the wind, stayed there.  But I guess I learned
>>>>>>>>                 
>> otherwise
>>     
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> today!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>> I eventually put the motor back in the water, cranked it up and
>>>>>>>>> powered
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> into the wind.  The swells had increased to the point that the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> engine
>>     
>>>>>>>> was coming up out of the water on every swell, but at least I was
>>>>>>>> seeming to make progress.  I then somehow pulled hard enough on
>>>>>>>>                 
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>> furling line to be able to furl the main.  I don't know how I did
>>>>>>>>                 
>> it,
>>     
>>>>>>>> but I did.  At this point, I noticed that my tiller to engine
>>>>>>>>                 
>> linkage
>>     
>>>>>>>> was not working.  The 8hp Mercury motor I have only has one latch
>>>>>>>>                 
>> to
>>     
>>>>>>>> hold the cowling onto the engine and it was failing with the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> severe
>>     
>>>>>>>> pressure on the cowling, and the cowling was being ripped off the
>>>>>>>> engine.  I had to use the engine tiller to point the motor.  I
>>>>>>>>                 
>> tried
>>     
>>>>>>>> to disengage the linkage, but in the frenzy of the moment, I
>>>>>>>>                 
>> wasn't
>>     
>>>>>>>> able to do that.  So I just continued steering by using both the
>>>>>>>>                 
>> boat's
>>     
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> tiller and the engine's tiller.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>> I eventually made it closer to the shore where the wind wasn't as
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> severe, and was able to disengage the tiller linkage and made it
>>>>>>>>                 
>> back
>>     
>>>>>>>> to the dock.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> So here are my questions:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 1) First, the most basic question -- whenever I go out on 5 knot
>>>>>>>>> days, I
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> make little progress on the water.  And if 15-20 knot days are too
>>>>>>>> much, it seems a narrow window indeed that I am able to sail in.
>>>>>>>>                 
>>  Is
>>     
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>> this
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> the case?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>  Is the R-22 a boat that should only go out in 10-12 knot winds in
>>>>>>>> order to best enjoy it?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> 2) What should I have done differently when the half unfurled
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> main
>>     
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> immediately got out of my control?  Should I have steered the boat
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> DOWNwind?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>  Would it have been easier to furl the main if I had done that?
>>>>>>>>                 
>>  Or is
>>     
>>>>>>>> steering the boat INTO the wind and the chop the right thing to
>>>>>>>>                 
>> do?
>>     
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> 3) Is there something I should be doing differently so that the
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> clew
>>     
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> the mainsail doesn't get pulled so far away from the boom in windy
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> weather?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>  It seemed very loose and uncontrollable.  This was one of the two
>>>>>>>> most disconcerting parts of the experience (the other being the
>>>>>>>> inability to furl the main).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> 4) In a worst case scenario where I can't furl the main
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> (especially
>>     
>>>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> it's fully unfurled) in strong winds, should I just try to motor
>>>>>>>>                 
>> to
>>     
>>>>>>>> shore with the main flapping away and catching wind?  I didn't
>>>>>>>>                 
>> know in
>>     
>>>>>>>> the situation I was in if the imperative is to a) try and furl the
>>>>>>>> main first or
>>>>>>>> b) to just get myself out of the windy area of the river even if
>>>>>>>>                 
>> it
>>     
>>>>>>>> means motoring with the main unfurled.  I was afraid that if I
>>>>>>>>                 
>> tried
>>     
>>>>>>>> to do option b, that the boat could tip over if I was going in a
>>>>>>>> direction that was putting the main into a position to be able to
>>>>>>>>                 
>> tip
>>     
>>>>>>>> the boat.  In retrospect, I'm now thinking that it's possible to
>>>>>>>>                 
>> motor
>>     
>>>>>>>> with the main unfurled, as long as the main sheet is fully out and
>>>>>>>> allowing the main to go wherever it wants to go.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> 5) Has anyone else with the tiller/engine linkage had a similar
>>>>>>>>> problem
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> in strong wind situations?  The cowling only has the one latch on
>>>>>>>>                 
>> the
>>     
>>>>>>>> back of the engine (furthest astern) and this one latch was
>>>>>>>>                 
>> clearly a
>>     
>>>>>>>> weak point in situations of stress on the linkage.  If I'm going
>>>>>>>>                 
>> to be
>>     
>>>>>>>> relying on this linkage in bad weather conditions, do any of you
>>>>>>>>                 
>> have
>>     
>>>>>>>> any advice on where and how I can get more latches put on my
>>>>>>>>                 
>> cowling?
>>     
>>>>>>>> OR should I not attempt to use the linkage in stronger winds?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> 6) What should be the role of the motor in these situations?  Is
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> it
>>     
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> first thing to engage to get the boat pointed in a particular
>>>>>>>> direction?  Or is it the last thing to resort to?  Should I be
>>>>>>>>                 
>> able to
>>     
>>>>>>>> furl the main without using the engine?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> I have to tell you, it was very disconcerting to have trouble
>>>>>>>>> furling
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> the mainsail.  I have loved the innermast furling main up until
>>>>>>>>                 
>> this
>>     
>>>>>>>> point … but pulling with all my might on the line was doing
>>>>>>>>                 
>> nothing.
>>     
>>>>>>>> It just refused to budge.  I still don't know quite how I was able
>>>>>>>>                 
>> to
>>     
>>>>>>>> get it finally furled.  It must have had something to do with
>>>>>>>>                 
>> engaging
>>     
>>>>>>>> the motor in the process, but I don't know for sure.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> For anyone out there who is reading this and considering
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> purchasing
>>     
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> R-22, please know that I think this is a marvelous boat.  The
>>>>>>>> inner-furling mast is something that I've been very happy with up
>>>>>>>> until today and perhaps it's all a function of this being too much
>>>>>>>> wind for the boat.  Or too much wind for me, a relatively
>>>>>>>>                 
>> inexperienced
>>     
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> sailor.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>>> I don't know for sure the best way to learn how to sail in
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> weather
>>     
>>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> this … especially if I feel I have to go back to the dock as soon
>>>>>>>>                 
>> as
>>     
>>>>>>>> there are white caps.  Maybe there is someone out there who is
>>>>>>>> experienced in this sort of weather AND knows the R-22 who can
>>>>>>>>                 
>> tutor
>>     
>>>>>>>> me on-board in just this sort of weather, but finding that person
>>>>>>>> would not be easy.  But I am ready for any and all suggestions.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> Thanks for reading this very long email and I look forward to any
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> all advice … including "stay the hell out of 20 knot wind
>>>>>>>>                 
>> weather."
>>     
>>>>>>>> Maybe that's the root of the problem, but it seems easy to imagine
>>>>>>>> that going out in a 10 knot day could easily turn into a 20 knot
>>>>>>>>                 
>> day
>>     
>>>>>>>> with gusts in no time at all.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> - Mark P.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>> ____________________________________________________________________
>>     
>>>>>>>>> ____ More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> http://webmail.aol.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> David Bradley
>>>>>>>> +1.206.234.3977
>>>>>>>> dwbrad at gmail.com
>>>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.7/1283 - Release Date:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> 2/16/2008
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> 2:16 PM
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>>>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.8/1287 - Release Date:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> 2/19/2008
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> 10:55 AM
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Herb Parsons
>>>>>> S/V O'Jure - O'Day 25
>>>>>> S/V Reve de Pappa - Coronado 35
>>>>>>
>>>>>> __________________________________________________
>>>>>> 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
>>>       
>> --
>> Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven"
>> Gorham, Maine         04038-1331
>> s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."
>> __________________________________________________
>> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>
>>     
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>
>
>   

-- 
Herb Parsons
S/V O'Jure - O'Day 25
S/V Reve de Pappa - Coronado 35



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