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Big Freakin' Sails

593K views 3K replies 293 participants last post by  smackdaddy 
#1 ·
Okay - this thread is for people that ACTUALLY LIKE Big Freakin' Sails (note for morons: the verb, not the noun). BFS simply means sailing that pushes limits - whatever those limits may be. And herein lies the rub...and the reason I need to explain a couple of things so people don't start foaming at the mouth right off the bat.

There has been a tremendous amount of hubbub over this "philosophy" in another thread - but that thread apparently "came with a lot of baggage" - to the point that the topic itself got lost in the fog of war. So, this is an attempt to start cleanly.

It must be understood that the love for the adventure and excitement of hard sailing is just as valid and robust in the newbie as it is in the big-sailing old salt. The gap between the two is experience and knowledge. And the goal here is not to fill that gap by quashing the spirit of adventure and excitement with a deluge of cynicism and technicality - but to help us all learn, if and when the time comes, how to better handle that moment when mother nature starts rising beyond our sailing abilities. Because if you keep sailing - it will happen, period. And as you'll see, it can get very frightening very quickly.

For an old salt, these limits will obviously be worlds beyond those of the typical newbie. That old salt will probably snicker at the point at which the newbie becomes terrified - understandably so. Yet, there will inevitably be an even more seasoned salt that will, in turn, snicker at the snickerer when he/she soils his/her own breeches in a blow. It's all subjective and un-ownable.

Therefore, the BFS factor of a newbie experiencing a hard heel and wayward helm for the very first time is just as exciting, important, and valuable (in BFS terms) as the old salt battling a 50 knot gale. It's just about the attitude with which the exploit is approached and remembered - and taken into account as they go back out for more. There are great stories and valuable lessons in both experiences - as well as great opportunities for good hearted slams on the brave posters (which is valuable as well). That's BFS.

So, to be clear this thread is JUST AS MUCH FOR THE SAILING NEWBIE (of which I am one) as it is for the old salt. It's a place to tell your story, listen to others', learn some lessons, and discuss the merits or detractions of Big Freakin' Sails.

The following inaugural BFS stories illustrate what this thread is all about. As I said, I'm a newbie - and you see my first BFS story below. You can then compare that with the other great BFS stories thereafter (sometimes edited to protect the innocent) which I think are great tales from great sailors; they cover the spectrum of "pushing the limits". Then, hopefully, you'll throw down some BFS of your own (either your own story, stories you admire, or stories that are just flat-out lies but with great BFS value - whatever).

Now, let's have some fun...shall we?
 
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#2,078 ·
Forget waves on Erie -- think seiches.

From Wikipedia:

"Seiches are often imperceptible to the naked eye, and observers in boats on the surface may not notice that a seiche is occurring due to the extremely long wavelengths. The effect is caused by resonances in a body of water that has been disturbed by one or more of a number of factors, most often meteorological effects (wind and atmospheric pressure variations)... [emphasis mine]

"Lake Erie is particularly prone to wind-caused seiches because of its shallowness and elongation. These can lead to extreme seiches of up to 5 m (16 feet) between the ends of the lake.

"...on July 13, 1995, a big seiche on Lake Superior caused the water level to fall and then rise again by three feet (one meter) within fifteen minutes, leaving some boats hanging from the docks on their mooring lines when the water retreated. The same storm system that caused the 1995 seiche on Lake Superior produced a similar effect in Lake Huron, in which the water level at Port Huron changed by six feet (1.8 m) over two hours. On Lake Michigan, eight fishermen were swept away and drowned when a 10-foot seiche hit the Chicago waterfront on June 26, 1954."

Water wants to kill us. All the time.
 
#2,079 · (Edited)
Seriously fun day! Sun was shining. About 80 degrees. Winds 18 knots gusting to 25. Pure loveliness:





The best part was that on the way back in I was "racing" a First 30. We were on parallel starboard tacks (close reach) about 60' apart - and he was upwind. The problem was that he kept pushing me down which was stalling the rudder a bit. At first I wasn't sure why he was doing it. Eventually he passed me about 20' off my bow (due to the rudder acting as a brake). I then pushed back up into the wind and left him quickly behind because I could point 6-8 degrees higher than he could.

When were back in the slip having a beer, that Bene's crew walked by and I mentioned how fast they looked as they were passing us and shook my fist at them. The skipper just said, "Well, we might have been faster but we couldn't point nearly as high as you, and you're here waiting on us."

C-27s are freakin' sweet!



We also took our 7 yo nephew out for his first sail. We was all about the v-berth:



Great day!
 
#2,081 ·
Dammit, Smack! It's 34 degrees here on Brigadoon. I've really wanted to go out all weekend but, there has been so much to do after moving on last week. So, the best I've had is BFW (20 or so from the south, shoving us against our end dock).

I'm glad you had a good time but I want to strangle you anyway. :)
 
#2,082 ·
Forget waves on Erie -- think seiches.

Such an event is not uncommon on Lake Huron in the Saginaw Bay. A strong persistant SW wind will blow the bay (Shallow) out and a strong NE brings a flood. My father told me of people collecting stranded fish in the bay when he was a child. The boat I raced from the mouth of the Saginaw River was hanging from the dock lines one race day - cancelled because most could not get out. The largest waves I have sailed on were off Sleeping Bear point diring the 1981 Mac race. Winds built NE all day to a peak of 70 Knots and held there for 7-1/2 hours. We made less than 3 knots into it and lost sight of the mast lights of nearby boats in the troughs. Several boats lost masts. 1/4 of the fleet dropped out in safe harbors. We estimated crest heights of around 30 feet with about 120 feet crest to crest.

We saw 18 footers at Muskegon in October with W to NW winds of 45 to 55 and a shorter fetch than in 1981. Waves at the Grand Haven harbor were breaking over the North light (36 feet) and also over the light house on the South wall (42 feet). In these conditions, you can neither enter or exit the harbor channels in most boats. The bore traveling into the channel will both throw boats over the wall and ground their keels. Even the Coast Guard stays home unless there is need for assistance. The two cross-lake ferries will also not venture out. On much of the West Michigan coast there is no where to run or hide if you are trapped by this situation. Only a few harbor entries such as Muskegon or Luddington have outer harbors defined by extended arms. If you can pass into the safe zone past the outer lights it becomes peaceful by about 200 yards up-river. We tried to exit Luddington with 12 footers comming in and almost fell short on power to buck the bore.
 
#2,083 · (Edited)
Sorry Black. What can I say? Except...."Aaaaagggghhhikkk...." as you strangle me for spanking Bene Firsts on a beautiful fall day.

Nich - 120 feet from crest to crest??!?!?!?!?!?!? Holy crap that's sick! Are you running in the next Mac?

Who else is still sailing?

PS - I hear Napolean's pouting again.
 
#2,084 ·
The last I checked, the race committee had raised the do-dad quotient so high as to prevent us from entering. Our boat has been around the planet twice and the junk required & redundant junk is a cost of about 10 kilobucks over our blue-water cruising gear. Its like a government bureau. I'd love to race it & we have several friends who would go but we might just pick a destination and cruise. I did it once - nothing to prove.
 
#2,085 ·
Maaybe sailing racing saturday......trying to decide, sail/race, or setup up boat with xmas lights after a late saturday evening or early sunday 30 mile motor back from the start area. May have to see how the winds/weather will be this weekend. If low winds, skip race, as 35 miles is tough in less than 10 knots of wind, even if one has 13 or so hrs to do it in.

Or ski this weekend teaching.........hmmmmm....... joys of living in a reasonably mild climate area. Today would be a good day for a sail or golf!

Marty
 
#2,088 ·
At this time, looks like we will be decorating the boat with lights etc sat, probably skiing sunday, or vise versa! The days have not been too bad either, might be a good time to get a round of 18 in too! no more sailing until after the new years with this lighting issue. could be worst I suppose!

Will see how we do with the BFL prizes saturday eve the 11th at the YC xmas party!:D

Marty
 
#2,089 ·
Raise your glasses to BubbleheadMD/Ajax! He's definitely a very cool BFS Proponent (and leader of the SailC class in the Global Regatta BTW).

From a bit of spanking from the safety patrol back in the day to the front page of SA:

Sailing Anarchy Home Page

I'd say you've done okay. And you're not even dead yet!

Congrats dude. I like your style...you BFS Proponent you.
 
#2,090 ·
I liked the pic in the top article, with the snow storm last week here in PS. Had gale winds with snow coming down. I saw a few boats out during the thanksgiving week. I personally did not get out, the getting out of my marina would have been as hairy as I had seen it, with the northerly gale pushing waves right into the entry in the 4-6' range, any screw ups going in or out, and into the break water you go!

Congrats bubblehead!

Marty
 
#2,092 ·
Well it's about that time of year: BFS Cup 2010. Plumbean took it last year for the Easties. Who's going to get the bling this year?

If you've got a great sailing story now is the time to be throwing down here. We will pick and vote in a week or so for the one worthy of the Cup.

Personally I vote for myself. I mean, hell, who sails a tornado and lives to brag about it? That's freakin' legend man.

What you got?
 
#2,095 ·
Just came across this on SA. 360 roll off Cape Horn.:

From Bill KI4MMZ

KC2IOV Nereida Capt Jeanne
Knocked down (Turtle upside down)
Damage so far. 2249utc
55-59.68S 071-45.04W
drifting S @ 2K hove to.
boom broken,
Hard dodger smashed.(gone)
rope round prop.
Chaotic below decks.
Good news. Not injured
has stay sail, + headsail.
engine working.

Hopes weather will moderate in am and that rope cutter on prop works so
she can motor round cape Horn and into nearest port for repairs.
Will call on 14.300usdb if further please monitor, was only contact she
cd make.

Have passed updated position and info to RCC Chile and USCG
Evangalistas. Abodehornos Light houses and RCC Punta Arenas are trying
to make contact direct on radio.

I have traffic from RCC Chile and USCG for her. will need assistance at
net time 0300UTC though we had fair copy last night and this afternoon.
73
End of message

I will keep all posted as I get information.
Bill VE7WSM
LinkRememberShare this!
Here's Jeanne's website:
Sailing Vessel Nereida - Welcome to my journeys

One tough boat. One tough chick.
 
#2,097 ·
Some Truly Great BFSs in 2010

As time winds down for the voting on the 2010 BFS Cup winner, I wanted to float some of the best (in my opinion) BFS Posts we've had over the last year. Read them, get stoked, and vote!

PCP (Eurpies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-168.html#post558196

Dulcitea (Westies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-168.html#post561068

CD - one of my personal faves (Gulfies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-169.html#post562308

Bubb, TJ and Hog (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-175.html#post574495

Kimberlite (?):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-175.html#post575536

Mackconsult (Westies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-177.html#post578625

SiXeven (Gulfies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-177.html#post579225

Doslocos (?)
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-177.html#post579336

Blackjenner (Westies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-178.html#post580021

PeterSailer (Supernorthies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-178.html#post583192

zz4gata (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-179.html#post587250

Sailormon6 (?)
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-180.html#post588447

FlyNavy (Lakie):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-182.html#post590552

TimofBlindSquirrel (Lakie):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-183.html#post598175

scraph (?):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-184.html#post600718

rmeador (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-184.html#post601267

sharps4590 (Lakies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-186.html#post608314

lans0012 (Gulfies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-186.html#post608675

zz4gta (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-187.html#post608698

emkay (Lakies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-188.html#post616978

GeorgeB (Westies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-189.html#post618160

DwayneSpeer (Westies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-189.html#post618410

Bubb's G-G-Grandad (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-191.html#post623294

sailordave (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-191.html#post625819

Omatako (Supersouthies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-192.html#post634606

Craigtoo (Easties):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-193.html#post635726

Smackdaddy The Epic (Lakies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-196.html#post645737

sailortjk1 (Lakies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-198.html#post646153

u4ea (Eurpies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-204.html#post654562

chall03 (Supersouthies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-204.html#post655016

Kacper (Supernorthies):
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gener...d/47351-big-freakin-sails-206.html#post662732

So which group of badass sailors is going to pull down the bling this year? The current standings have the Easties out front.

Two more weeks and it's Cup time!
 
#2,100 ·
Look At This!!!!

The Gulfies FINALLY take one! Edging out the Easties for the Cup!!!

I've got tears in my eyes. This is such a proud moment.

The voting is over, and I don't think there's any doubt as to who will hold the cup for said Gulfies. It's gotta be CD.

CD, pm me an address to which I can ship the 2010 BFS Cup. I'll even send some 5200 so you can permanently glue it to your cabin top. I know it's a proud moment for you too.

Congrats Gulfies. Congrats CD and family. You guys definitely deserve it.
 

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#2,101 ·
I've mentioned this incredible lady in the Heavy Weather Sailing thread...but she belongs here as well since this thread gets a lot more traffic.

Jeanne Socrates - seriously gutsy sailor chick. She's on a solo-circ and was knocked down off Cape Horn sustaining some pretty heavy damage:





She's now in Ushuaia awaiting equipment to finish repairing her boat before continuing on.

She's keeping a great blog, and has been very generous in replying to emails. Check it out here:

Sailing Yacht Nereida - Ushuaia update 10

She's what it's all about. Go Jeanne.
 
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