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Johnasteen,
Why do you decide to run?
I decided early on, based on others experiences that I was going to heave to or lie a hull in order to let the bad stuff pass over. However in my ' worst' experience, I had sea room and the swell was on the quarter, not dead astern. The difference in apparent wind as we ran downwind at an average of better than 10kn meant the force of the wind was effectively halved.
Therefore, I didnt follow my 'game plan'. Our self confidence and in the boat rose to new levels and now I am comfortable in fairly strong breezes. Its the seas that do the damage - but saying that, yachts are incredibly tough.
I have fought off a lee shore and all discussions of boat design aside, I feel that a yacht needs to be able to sail to windward as well as safely downwind. You need to effectively complete a passage as fast as you safely can in order to minimise the chances of being caught out. So without pushing the rig, I work the boat to move fast. I know others dont follow this view.
If someone says to me that they have never been caught in bad weather, dragged an anchor or run aground, [touched the bottom], they probably havent been out of their comfort zone. If you, as skipper are scared, you can never show it.
Anyway guys - all the best. Keep Smacker on the straight and narrow- give him a whipping if he needs it [ I mean a small piece of waxed twine - no I dont!!]
thanks for your advice and support. I am off for a bit more of the learning curve.
David
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