Sailing in a Storm

RaymondMcA · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

I have a little 12' MiniFish and sail about a mile on a lake near our home here in Florida, and I am not very good at that. So, I am not qualified to answer my question.
I am doing some research for an article. In Mark 4:35-41 we are told that Jesus and some of his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee (actually a large lake, approx. 13 miles long by 8 miles wide) at night in what was probably a fishing boat with a sail. I assume the boat was in the 18' to 20' range. A storm came up (the word "storm" indicates it was gusty winds and not straight winds) and the waves were large enough to break over the sides of the boat.
Here is my question: Here you are two or three miles from shore, in the dark, in the middle of a gusty wind storm with large waves, in an 18 to 20' boat. What would an experienced skipper do? Would you strike the sail and hope for the best? Would you leave the sail up and try to navigate on to shore? Would you try to run with the wind? I really have no idea.
Any comments would be sincerely appreciated.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Depends a lot on the storm, the boat and the skill level of the captain and crew. If you're only THREE miles from shore, you would probably want to work your way to windward, since a storm could easily blow you into the lee shore and kill you. You need a lot of wind to run from a storm.

I'd point out that if the waves were large enough to be breaking over the boat, the wind must have been blowing for a while. It takes time and distance for waves to build to that size.

bubb2 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaymondMcA

I have a little 12' MiniFish and sail about a mile on a lake near our home here in Florida, and I am not very good at that. So, I am not qualified to answer my question.
I am doing some research for an article. In Mark 4:35-41 we are told that Jesus and some of his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee (actually a large lake, approx. 13 miles long by 8 miles wide) at night in what was probably a fishing boat with a sail. I assume the boat was in the 18' to 20' range. A storm came up (the word "storm" indicates it was gusty winds and not straight winds) and the waves were large enough to break over the sides of the boat.
Here is my question: Here you are two or three miles from shore, in the dark, in the middle of a gusty wind storm with large waves, in an 18 to 20' boat. What would an experienced skipper do? Would you strike the sail and hope for the best? Would you leave the sail up and try to navigate on to shore? Would you try to run with the wind? I really have no idea.
Any comments would be sincerely appreciated.

If I were Jesus, I would get out of the boat and walk home!!!

jaschrumpf · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubb2

If I were Jesus, I would get out of the boat and walk home!!!

That would be rude to your fellow passengers, which is why He calmed the waters.

RaymondMcA · #5 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Bubb2, I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read you reply! Thanks for the laugh.

smackdaddy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaschrumpf

That would be rude to your fellow passengers, which is why He calmed the waters.

So THAT'S where the JSD originated!

Actually, it is funny that the JSD website mentions that it could have helped Paul avoid that nasty shipwreck - so you might actually see this reference show up too in a few weeks.

dhays · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Depends a lot on the storm, the boat and the skill level of the captain and crew. If you're only THREE miles from shore, you would probably want to work your way to windward, since a storm could easily blow you into the lee shore and kill you. You need a lot of wind to run from a storm.

I think it also depends on the geography. I would make some guesses here.
First, I would assume that this would be more of a rowing launch than a sailboat. I doubt they had a dagger board or keel. The boat would not sail to windward at all well but the sail would primarily help downwind.

I think the first thing that would have been done would be to drop the sail if it was still up. Then they would likely try to row back to port (probably just a sandy beach to pull the boat up on). If the seas were too high to row against, they would either try rowing downwind if they had a nice beach to leeward to beach on, or row like crazy to try and stay off any rocks on a lee shore.

Dave

rockDAWG · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubb2

If I were Jesus, I would get out of the boat and walk home!!!

Why bother! I were Jesus, I would text my Dad and ask him to stop fu*king around or I will call Mom.

Since I were not, I would heave to ride the storm.

smackdaddy · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

Why bother! I were Jesus, I would text my Dad and ask him to stop fu*king around or I will call Mom.

Since I were not, I would heave to ride the storm.

Dude - have you seen the lightning thread? I'm not sailing with you.