close reach = beating?

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

In my wayward book, it means heading into the wind and waves...yukky

You can add close hauled and Ibescaredhauled to this, and it should read the same...

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

I think that is what I said in alot less words. I don't know of any way to sail windward without being cose hauled, in which I assumed anyone on sailnet would know.

I don't know what kind of sailboat you're on, but most sailboats will be moving to windward on a close reach as well as when they are close-hauled. Many will make far better progress on a close reach than when sailing close-hauled.

Your definition of heading into the wind and waves is not accurate... being in irons would head you into the wind and waves, but you'd make no progress whatsoever... also... in some cases, the wind and waves are not aligned... so your definition would fail in those cases as well. IMHO, the direction of the waves has little to do with whether you are beating or not—as the real determinant is the wind.

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by Culinary411

"Beating" is the event that took place last Thursday in Lake Michigan on the Chicago coast. Small craft advisory, 6-12 foot seas and winds gusting to 70mph. There I was, 5 miles out and undergoing said process with main double reefed and motor running. Finally made it to Belmont Harbor where I stay the summer. Not a fun experience in the least bit.

Gale warning had been posted for hours.
Did you not believe them?

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I don't know what kind of sailboat you're on, but most sailboats will be moving to windward on a close reach as well as when they are close-hauled. Many will make far better progress on a close reach than when sailing close-hauled.

Your definition of heading into the wind and waves is not accurate... being in irons would head you into the wind and waves, but you'd make no progress whatsoever... also... in some cases, the wind and waves are not aligned... so your definition would fail in those cases as well. IMHO, the direction of the waves has little to do with whether you are beating or not—as the real determinant is the wind.

Well I wern't borned yesterday...(I've been on the water since 1958) and to windward don't mean directly into the wind, unless you have a powerboat. For the most part, the wind and waves will be closely alligned. I have seen a 3' chop transverse a 10-20' swell.
The chop reflects the wind. Like most everything, it can be a matter of opinion. And as we all know, an opinion is like a butt...everybodies got one...!
I have sailed in most everything from a 2' lake chop, to 30'+ Alaskan Gulf swells in a 95' patrol boat. It would be nice if you would acept what I say as an opinion and not a law of nature. Thanks.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

to windward don't mean directly into the wind, unless you have a powerboat.

You're the one who said that a sailboat can't sail to windward unless they're sailing close-hauled... which I disagree with... sailing on a close reach is also going to be sailing to windward.

I have sailed in most everything from a 2' lake chop, to 30'+ Alaskan Gulf swells in a 95' patrol boat. It would be nice if you would acept what I say as an opinion and not a law of nature. Thanks.

Trust me, I don't take anything anyone says as a law of nature... not even me...

[USCGRET1990]

I suppose the difference between close hauled and close reached could depend on how much keel you have. I was trying to say that most anything other than "downwind" is beating. Sometimes I answer a post with one sentence, then someone comes along and says it again in several sentences.
This I find a bit annoying, like they're implying I don't know what the heck I'm saying or didn't say it well enough. So I tend to come back with a snyde remark. Oh well. 20 years of "military intelligence" can often take it's toll.!!

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

I suppose the difference between close hauled and close reached could depend on how much keel you have. I was trying to say that most anything other than "downwind" is beating. Sometimes I answer a post with one sentence, then someone comes along and says it again in several sentences.
This I find a bit annoying, like they're implying I don't know what the heck I'm saying or didn't say it well enough. So I tend to come back with a snyde remark. Oh well. 20 years of "military intelligence" can often take it's toll.!!

I wasn't implying that you didn't know what you're saying—any inferences you make are up to you.

I was just trying to say it as clearly as possible... since what you had written was a bit difficult for a N00b sailor to decipher. BTW, sailing on a beam reach is not beating IMHO. You may not be sailing downwind, but you're probably not sailing upwind all that much either.

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I BTW, sailing on a beam reach is not beating IMHO. You may not be sailing downwind, but you're probably not sailing upwind all that much either.

If you are in a 16-18' sailboat in a 3' chop a beam reach may be considered
"uncomfortable"??

But you are right, I don't always think of yon newbies....I may however, have to come to your location to drink spirits and arm restle amongest other things... ;-)

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

If you are in a 16-18' sailboat in a 3' chop a beam reach may be considered "uncomfortable"??

That's a bit understated...

But you are right, I don't always think of yon newbies....I may however, have to come to your location to drink spirits and arm restle amongest other things... ;-)

Let me know when you're in the neighborhood...

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

That's a bit understated...
Let me know when you're in the neighborhood...

Did you mean over-stated?? That was my intent!! Where yat in NE anyway?
I know NE well, growing up in Upstate NY and wandering about NE most every summer....