[Rhodes22-list] Handling Gusts

Leland LKUHN at cnmc.org
Tue Sep 9 10:43:28 EDT 2008


Paul,

Great response--thanks!

Lee
1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
Kent Island, MD


Paul Krawitz wrote:
> 
> Michael,
> The usual methods to de-power sails in heavy winds or gusts are:
> 
>    1. Ease mainsheet and jib. This causes twisting of the head of the sail
>    away from the wind
>    2. Partially furl mainsheet and (on Rhodes) mainsail
>    3. Completely furl jib. This alters the boat balance, resulting in
>    needing to move the tiller away from the mainsail.
>    4. Completely furl main. This alters boat balance, resulting in needing
>    to move the tiller toward the jib.
>    5. Tighten Cunningham to tighten luff (not an option on Rhodes)
>    6. Tighten outhaul to tighten foot (usually this is set tight initially
>    on Rhodes)
>    7. Ease traveller to allow mainsail to ease without changing sail shape
>    8. Turn upwind and ride on the edge between the "no go" zone and a
> close
>    reach. This is called "sailing in the groove."
> 
> Pulling the centerboard up with allow less healing, but will also result
> in
> moving downwind due to unopposed vector forces on the two sails.
> 
> The Rhodes offers one other ingenious adjustment, which is lowering the
> boom
> to the next hole on the mast, thus decreasing healing leverage. But keep
> your heads low...Rhodies frequently forget about the new boom position and
> are prone to getting whacked while standing in the cockpit.
> 
> What to do depends upon what kind of a sail you are looking for. Fast?
> Exciting? Calm for squeamish crew?
> 
> Your best defense is to be aware of the oncoming "blow" by watching the
> windward water surface. Gusts of wind can be recognized by a dark, rippled
> appearance.
> 
> When we have a willing crew, I'll announce the blow by estimated seconds,
> while we're all sitting on the high side, and the moment I feel it, I'll
> use
> the wind "lift" to point further into the wind. Of course, doing this
> without completely losing speed takes some feel. I used to stink at it and
> point too high.
> 
> If the gusts are too rough for that maneuver, then we'll adjust by one or
> more of the methods listed above.
> 
> For my wife on such days, I put out a vestigial jib and mainsail, and she
> comments how "calm" the sailing is. Which for her, is mission
> accomplished.
> 
> Paul K.
> "Clarity"
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> 

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