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Old 04-23-2008
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Heaving-to does not get him home.
What if the strong winds continue for hours?
Some how you've got to reduce sail area.
If you have a large Genny up, I would get that down first.
If you have a small head sail and your main sail is larger, I would drop the main. Depending on how your boat is set up, accomplishing these things might be rather difficult. Heaving - To is great advise, but your going to have to regain control of the vessel at some point. If the wind continues to blow and your caught on a lee shore, you have got to make head way somehow.

Best advise anybody can give you, try not to let this happen again.
We always say on our boat, too late for that now. We got ourselves into this mess and somehow we have got to get out of it. (funny, we same the same thing in everyday life)

Reduce early, watch for weather patterns, listen to the radio, check your barometer, etc...... I know, I know, easier said than done, and we have all been there. Stuff happens.
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There is one good rule in helmsmanship-let the boat do the sailing.- Peter Heaton
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