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Old 04-23-2008
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Watermelon Watermelon is offline
Swabbing the deck
 
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I've sailed in 30-35 kts out on the bay (not my home pond), but no rollerfurler (my jib is hank-on). Sailing with both sails up made the ride exciting. Tried the reefed main first. It was okay, but it was a dog to tack, and would end up having to "chicken tack" (think chicken jibe, but instead, for tacking instead of for jibe) and couldn't point too well. I'd be caught in irons every time I tried to tack. Then, I doused the main and raised the jib. That worked out extremely well. I could tack, I could point well, I was moving decently, waves weren't a problem (swells were only 6 feet). It's different for every boat and sailor's comfort and ability.

Of course, if it's really kicking, go bare poles and drop anchor. If you've got plenty of sea room and too deep to anchor, then drop a sea anchor or a drogue.
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