[Rhodes22-list] Need advice on basic sailing of an R-22 in higher winds

[mputnam1 at aol.com]

Lee, this is incredibly helpful, as was Stan's email.  And you can count on me calling you up to try and schedule a weekend day we could go out together.  That would be great.  I would be honored to have you aboard!


Thank you!


Mark



-----Original Message-----
From: Leland <LKUHN at cnmc.org>
To: rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Thu, Oct 31, 2013 12:59 pm
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Need advice on basic sailing of an R-22 in higher winds


Mark,

I'm on the Eastern Shore and would gladly go out with you on your boat or
mine.  

We sailed Sunday but did not go out on Saturday because it was too windy. 
My crew member did try to sail Saturday on his Islander36 and took one
measurement at about 30 knots.  If you were out on Saturday it was too windy
for our Rhodes.

Just prior to motoring home once I measured the wind at 35 knots (long after
the sails were put away).  The motor was creating drag in the water and the
poptop was down.  The wind blowing against the transom, bulkhead, and open
companionway hatch was moving me at 3.5 knots.  We definitely have
light-wind boats.

I can't top Stan's advice but:

1.  Stan once told me that the maximum wind for our boat is 28 knots.  I
assume at that point you can't make headway.  My first year I went out in 20
knot winds for the experience.  I now don't go out if the wind forecast is
above 15 knots.  With the wind and especially the accompanying chop it's
more work than fun.  You can reduce sail in high wind without the motor but
you still need to take pressure off of the sails, so just use the motor.  In
15 knot winds I spend the first 90% of the day trying to make headway.  Boom
down, board down, main reefed to 50%, Genoa reefed to just under 50% (less
than half way to the mast), and Genoa sheets run between the mast and inner
stay.  Once you head home with the wind at your back it depends on how fast
you want to go.  No mainsail and a bikini-top-size Genoa provide a
comfortable return.

2.  Yes except for Stan's comment about the boat sailing better with two
sails.

3.  It is difficult to pull out the main in stiff winds but Stan's advice on
this is excellent; even more excellent than his normal excellent advice.

4.  Everyone's general advice on every boat is to reef early.  Everyone is
right.  If you're heeling more than 20 degrees you have too much sail out. 
In most cases if you're heeling more than 15 degrees you have more sail out
than you need.  I check the wind everytime before I deploy the mainsail.  10
knots full main with the boom up.  12 knots main furled to 80% with the boom
up, or lower the boom.  It's probably smarter to lower the boom rather than
reef the main but I like sailing with the poptop up.  If the boom is up it
can raise up and get caught on the backstays in high wind if you need to
jibe instead of tack.  Typically I have more sail out than I should.  Some
day I'll learn.  As for severe heeling, just be prepared to head up into the
wind to depower your sails or release the sheets.

5.  Yes.  If you're having difficulty lowering and starting the motor in
high wind, just come off the wind until you can comfortably sail with your
tiller locked, then motor back into the wind to take the pressure off the
sails.

To me ideal sailing weather on our boats is 8 knots, give or take 3 knots. 
You've got the right idea to work your way up to challenging situations so
you'll be prepared if they accidentally happen, which they will.

Everything you described is difficult until you find out what works best for
you, and it's much easier to show someone than try to explain it, so just
give me a call if you'd like to go out for a high-wind sail.

Good luck!

Lee
1986 Rhodes22  AT EASE
Kent Island, MD
202.476.5369



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