Sailing with the storm

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by sgkuhner

I strongly disagree with Ilnert that heaving-to is always the best solution. Kitty and I were caught in a hurricane in July 1974 midway between Cape Hatteras and Bermuda. In those days we did not have an SSB nor a VHF (They weren't available) so we had no warning. We originally hove to; but when the wind got over 70 kts it was just too much for our little 30 foot Seawind Ketch so we took the storm jib and storm try-sail down and proceeded to lie ahull. It was deceptively comfortable as we were just blown over on our side at about a 30-40 degree list, and rode up and down on the waves as they passed under us. However, at about 2 AM we went up on one wave and for an instant I knew we were not coming back. We fell off the wave and landed in the trough with such an explosion that the main hatch was blown off and a wall of water was coming down the companion way. When we finally righted (maybe 30 seconds) the water below was up to the level of the bunks. I jumped up into knee deep water and looked out the companionway hatch. The wind vane was gone, the grab rails on the cabin top were gone and all that was left was the through bolts sticking up and the boom was bent in a U. Luckily we had the most efficient bilge pump in the world....a frightened woman with a bucket. I immediately threw warps over the side to try and get us to run off with the wind; but, we kept broaching. I left the boat to fend for itself while I took a piece of plywood and fastened it over the companionway hatch to keep anymore water from coming in. 12 hours later the wind was back down to 30 kts and we had survived. No I wouldn't heave-to or lie ahull in ALL conditions. That said we normally do heave-to when it gets too uncomfortable and wait for the weather to pass by.

The following pictures were taken the next day

Wow, what a story!

- CD

[johnshasteen]

I have run before two Force 10 storms (winds gusting above 60 and seas 28-30 feet, according to Coast Guard accounts of both storms) in Paloma - one for 48 hours and the most recent, in March of this year, 36 hours and we would not have tried to heave to under any circumstances in either of those storms - we firmly believed that if we tried to lie ahull or heave to we would broach in the process. There is nothing like being in a big storm to bring reality to all your theories. Click on the link to see Paloma after the last storm - headsail in shreds, bimini needs replacing, note the two mid-ship stays that broke loose.

http://www.sailnet.com/photogallery/...le=3679&size=1

[fullkeel7]

Thanks to all for the comments and my appologies for the delay in getting back to the thread. Almost forgot I did start this thread...the depth and diversity of SailNet can be a little overwhelming for me, always something to catch one's eye and interest.

Sgkuhner, DOUBLE Thank you for sharing that incredible story! Surely a testament of the Seawinds strength and seaworthiness and of your and Kitty's fortitude as well...amazing! And it does reinforce the articles I've read that in the most severe conditions, lying ahull may not be the best course. I think I read that in Coles's Heavy Weather Sailing.

Ilenart, I will revisit Coles's HWS(been awhile) and suppose I should have picked up the Pardey's Handbook a couple years back. At the time I thought their boat was so specialized and rigging was too traditional from anything I might sail that I unwisely dismissed the book. Although designs differ, storm tactic concepts probably still apply.

At any rate, my last 1200 nm little passage taught me that I really do not need to cruise great distances. (well along with JohnS's and Ilenarts experiences) But I'm still interested in crewing with owners that want to move their boats around and you never know when you might get caught in a blow. Thanks again to all.

Bob