Rough seas sailing

[Dao]

I've only owned my Newport 30 II for about four months. Most of the sailing I've done has been 3-4 hour daysails and conditions are usually not that bad. My previous sailboat was a Catalina 22 that I never took out of our bay.

I'd like to do coastal trips along the northern coast of California and was wondering how everyone thought Newport 30s do.

Thanks,
Alan

[camaraderie]

No reason the boat can't do some coastal work in decent weather. Sounds like you may need some work in heavier stuff though. Have you had her out in the bay in 20-30 knts?
I would start there so you know how she handles when the wind pipes up...reefing the main etc. Then take some short jaunts with benign forecasts outside the bay...even day sails will give you confidence in the boat and knowledge. Of particular concern would be the fuel tanks and filters and what happens when the wind/sea stirs up the sludge in the tanks.... Find out about that while still in the bay!!

[hellosailor]

Dao, I think the key to how any boat will do in rough wx is the crew. Check the polars for your boat, or ask other owners. You may find that the boat actually sails faster if you reef way sooner than you would think, sometimes as low as 12-14 knots for a typical sloop. And then once reefed, stays on her feet better and sails a WHOLE lot nicer in higher winds.

And then of course there is Rule Number One: Stay on the boat.<G>

[Dao]

Thanks, I didn't think about the fuel tank and the sludge that can get stirred up.

And, I do need to reef more. I have had the tendency to go full sail and ride it wind the wind picks up. I've been sailing for only a couple of years and have been gaining more conifidence each time I go out.

There are times it would be better though for me to sail smarter and not harder.

Thanks for the advice.

[Gorey]

Originally Posted by Dao

I've only owned my Newport 30 II for about four months. Most of the sailing I've done has been 3-4 hour daysails and conditions are usually not that bad. My previous sailboat was a Catalina 22 that I never took out of our bay.

I'd like to do coastal trips along the northern coast of California and was wondering how everyone thought Newport 30s do.

Thanks,
Alan

We have had our Newport 30 out in some rough weather at Channel Islands, It does very well and stays dry. Big waves 4-6 ft will make it attempt to spin due to the fin keel. Sterring takes a bit of concentration.

[sailhagg]

Just FYI

I have had my N30 MKIII for about a year and a half. The end of summer we went through some pretty rough water. Our fuel came through fine, however we discovered a very 'nasty' problem later. The previous owner didn't use marine toilet paper. We'd done many pump outs but had no idea what lurked in the bottom of the holding tank until we beat over 4-5 foot waves.

We are filling about half the tank with water now and trying to beat over the rough stuff to stir the pot, then pumping out. Hopefully, we've cleared the paper and have a nice clean holding tank. We hope to never see an eruption off our port side again!

Just something to think about...