[Rhodes22-list] Handling Gusts

[Herb Parsons]

Michael,

How long have you been sailing? Those types of gusts are just part of 
the "experience" of sailing. My boat's a different design than the 
Rhodes (the Rhodes is "flatter" than most other sailboats), so the 
heeling sensation feels more intense no a Rhodes, but a temporary heel 
due to gusts is nothing to worry about. You did the right thing, in my 
opinion, by just riding it out. If it lasted much longer, you'd probably 
want to let out the main. If the gusts were very frequent, you'd 
probably want to reduce sail.

As for frantic guests/crew, I always make it a point to tell folks that 
are new to sailing, before I head out, that heeling is part of sailing, 
and that the boat is designed to handle that, that it's nothing they 
should worry about, and if they sail long enough, they'll eventually not 
even pay much notice to it. It helps if other boats are on the water, 
and you can point out how they too are heeled. Also, during "let's talk 
about SOMETHING" times on the water, I explain some of the physics 
involved, and why it's difficult to swamp a sailboat from wind alone.


MichaelT wrote:
> We experienced approx 4-5 gusts of wind in our 3 hour sail yesterday. I was
> just imagining if our wives we're onboard how frantic they would have been.
>
> In those instances, the weather helm gave way to a heavy tiller with the
> tiller positioned at 45 degree to windward to remain on-course. I was
> considering letting the main sheet out but the gusts all happen in about
> 10-20 seconds and then disappears.
>
> How do you guys handle gusts of wind? 
>
> Especially when the gusts causes heavy heeling (gunnel 6" from water)
>
> Michael
>