heavy wind manouvering

[branda]

when sailing on a port tack,full sails , boom out to starboard, a port quartering "aft"wind of about 25kts what is the proper way to turn to port so as not to be abeam the wind with the full sails up and not suffer a knockdown.

[Sailmc]

If you are concerned about the wind knocking you flat when beam to you have too much sail up. If you are out of control let the sheets loose and you won''t get knocked down.

[maxcontax]

You are describing a broad reach and altering course to a beam reach, and appear to be carrying too much sail: most boats need less than 100% sails at 20 knots of wind. Depending on sea conditions you could broach in a trough even if you ease both sheets to proper trim while altering course: luffing could save a broach. The problem with following winds is you don''t watch over your shoulder and see them building--you don''t get that reef in soon enough. I can tell you what I''d do: crank in the headsail to 70%, do a quick heave-to to starboard, get 1 reef in the main, and then alter course.

[branda]

But she sails sooo nice downwind!!

[pirateofcapeann]

So does a stack o'' hay!

If you''re trimmed properly off the wind, your sails will begin to spill the wind and de-power as you round up to a beam reach. You may opt to sail de-powered with a "bubble" along the luff of your sails, what''s known as a "fishermen''s reef".

Just remember that "Weebals wobble but they don''t fall down" and so long as she has a ballasted keel, it is literally impossible to be able to push her all the way over. I taught that lesson to my daughter while sailing Maine in my Jesse Boyce, then she went out in our 15 foot centerboarder…

[aflanigan]

This can be a problem for boats without provision for shortening sail. You''re fine and dandy with the sail close hauled and the wind on your rear quarter (thus reducing the "area" of sail presented to the wind), but how do you round up into the wind? If your rig is sturdy enough, you could try dumping the main (jib first if you have one) rapidly; this should minimize the time you have the full sail area presented perpendicular to the wind. Be ready for a radical change in the boat''s balance and watch the boom as it moves rapidly leeward. Once the sails are luffing you can head up and start sheeting in. Of course, this manouver may be no better than trying to round up with the main sheeted in if the main sheet won''t feed rapidly through it''s blocks. You could also try doing both at the same time, again, to minimize how long you are presenting the main crossways to the wind. This takes good coordination and confidence on the part of the helmsperson and the person trimming the main.

Allen Flanigan

Alexandria, VA