[Rhodes22-list] Kuhn Wind Scale

[Michael D. Weisner]

Lee,

I like your scale better than the Beaufort Wind Scale:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html

It makes perfect sense to a Rhodie.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY


From: "Leland" <LKUHN at cnmc.org> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 10:36 AM
>
> David,
>
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>
> You said that 10 to 20 knots was a good wind for the Rhodes.  You can join
> Hank and Rummy in the X-Games.  If I start spilling my beer I know it's 
> time
> to go in or quit drinking.
>
> Zero knot wind according to my electronic anemometer:  I don't know how 
> this
> works, but the boat actually moves.  Wind up high?  Earth's rotation?
> Magic?  I've measured this phenomenon many times.
>
> 0 to 3 knots:  Not exactly sailing until you hit 3 knots, at which point 
> you
> can keep the 175% Genoa inflated on a close reach.
>
> 3 to 5 knots:  A wonderful relaxing sail.  Especially wonderful in that 
> the
> bigger sailboats are powersailing.  At 5 knots you aren't burying the rail
> with the full Genoa, but you can already pick up some speed by reefing her
> in a little.
>
> 5 to 8 knots:  Life doesn't get any better.  With a full main and Genoa
> reefed down to near 100%, you can comfortably sail on a close reach and 
> have
> enough wind to move well on any point-of-sail.
>
> 8 to 12 knots:  Depending on the chop, this might be the most fun wind
> window for me.  You can quickly go from point A to B on any point-of-sail.
> You can bury the rail if you wish or reef to less than a 5 degree heel and
> still maintain a good speed.
>
> 12 to 15 knots:  I like to sail with the poptop up and at 12 knots it's
> definitely time to lower the boom.  On a close reach it's about time to
> start reefing the main if you want to keep your heel under 15 degrees
> without crew ballast.  Where I sail, this wind typically results in small
> craft advisory due to excessive chop.  It doesn't keep me from going out,
> but it starts to be more work than fun.
>
> 15 to 20 knots:  My first couple of years with my Rhodes I looked for wind
> like this so I could learn.  What I learned was that I don't like sailing 
> in
> wind like this.  If I'm already out I don't pull in the sails, but good 
> luck
> making much headway into the wind and tacking becomes difficult.  I enjoy
> amusement park rides for their typical 3-minute duration.  Getting slapped
> around for a few hours eventually gets old.
>
> 20 to 28 knots:  Time to start the iron genny.
>
> 28 knots to infinity and beyond:  Even Stan says it's time to hang it up.
>
> Results may vary.  As with many recreations certain side effects may 
> occur.
> Nausea and vomitting are rare; giddiness and a sense of euphoria are 
> common.
> Alcohol may intensify the effect.
>
> Lee
> 1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
> Kent Island, MD
>
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