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

[mputnam1 at aol.com]

Thank you, Ken ... this is all great advice ... and I have always wanted to try and execute a heave-to, but the one time I tried in earnest, I must have done something wrong, because it didn't really work.  But this is a good detailed description and I will try again now that I have my boat in the water nearby and will be using it a lot more.


Thank you for the advice!


Mark



-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Bates <btskend at gmail.com>
To: rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Thu, Oct 31, 2013 1:20 pm
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Need advice on basic sailing of an R-22 in higher	winds


Mark
I have had my 86 for 4 years. I sail on a gusty inland lake in Michigan. There 
are a few tips I have learned (ongoing process) about windy weather with the 
Rhodes. Let me say that on my lake, waves seldom get more than a foot and a half 
high. I sail single hand, even when the admiral is aboard (wonderful woman, no 
physics in her head). First, you probably can’t tip it over in any sane set of 
conditions. My son and I tried one day wind 25 + and gusty, 175 Genny full out, 
IMF main full out, but low position, 7 knots by GPS. We tried to burry the rail, 
but as we got close the rudder would loose effect and the rhodes would round up 
and head into the wind, repeatedly. Note: don’t sail close to the lee side of 
obstacles in strong conditions. The second big thing was leaning how to 
heave-to. when sailing in strong conditions on my lake there are often periods 
of much higher velocity wind. When these periods are too much for my canvass, 
and rounding up, flapping sails, jerking lines and singing rigging are 
overwhelming, heaving-to quiets all, and dumps the main, allowing easy adjusting 
of the IMF, and providing a reduction in adrenaline production.
Starting with a small triangle “storm jib” out from the Genny and a partial 
main, that is manageable in 20+ wind. Come about to a  starboard tack or  winch 
the jib sheet to the port side, let the main sheet go, and take the tiller to 
starboard (port turn). The backwinded jib will balance the rudder leaving the 
main slack and boom to starboard easing operation of the IMF and providing a 
calming respite with a leeward drift. I did relocate the out-haul cleat from the 
end of the boom so I can stand in the companionway (braced) and have control of 
the in, and outhaul lines. Running the Jib sheets inside the rigging seems 
necessary to go upwind in really strong conditions. Stretch your comfort zone, 
this boat is very well designed, and beginner tolerant!
Ken
On Oct 31, 2013, at 12:00 PM, rhodes22-list-request at rhodes22.org wrote:

> Need advice on basic sailing of an R-22 in
> 	higher	winds

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