Fight Club____for Sailors

[Surfesq]

"The dread pirate Steve be in no man's debt. I'll make a barter with ya; true as the north star. In exchange for your kindness, I'll be sharing me buried treasure with ya... once I find it, that be. "
Steve the Pirate, Dodgeball.

[CharlieCobra]

Ok Surfesq, a sailing question for ya. The last two times out I've caught hard gusts going to windward while already heeled over 15* or so. When she rolled harder over to the "I'm getting nervous" point, I rounded up a bit to spill wind and settled back on tack as she came to a more agreeable angle. The last couple of times I thought about falling off a bit to maintain my speed.

[Surfesq]

There is an expression in sailing called "weather helm." Basically, a boat naturally wants to round up into the wind when it is overpowered. You have probably experienced this when sailing. The boat will continue to round up until it is pointing into the wind and sails are luffing.
I think there are two good reduce heeling on a boat. (probably many more). Anyway, one way to reduce heeling is to ease on the main sheet. In effect you are rounding up the main by reducing the sail area exposed directly to the wind. The other way is to reduce sail are by reefing.
Falling off may not necessarily reduce the heeling motion of the boat. In fact the boat may heel over more in heavier conditions. If you fall off and ease the main you will defintely accomplish what you are looking to do.

[CharlieCobra]

Yeah, I'm reduced to rounding up for now as the old main has no reefing cringles. I also noticed the Jib doesn't go all the way up the mast, kinda looks like a storm Jib 'cause it's about three feet short from the top of the mast.

[cardiacpaul]

Fast or slow, hard or soft, 3 knots or 30, there is a common element.
The wind.
How it is used is a personal choice. If you'd like to wet the rail test the limits of man and machine, thats fine. if you'd like to spend the day with the autopilot engaged, making 1.5 knots, thats fine as well.

A Melges or J/Boat is not a a Valiant, or Hylas. But, I have seen a Valiant 40 singlehanded, spank a J-105 manned by a full crew (matching shirts,shorts and hats notwithstanding).

We have the commonality of the wind. That, my good sir, makes me...

A sailor

[Surfesq]

Marine Surveyor eh? You sound like a guy that would make a very good friend! I am sure everyone posting here would love to buy you a beer....

[Surfesq]

Paul: You make some excellent points. But I think you are overlooking Rules:

1. If your boat sits in the slip for more than 28 days a month. You don't sail.
2. If you are simply driving a floating RV...You don't sail.
3. If you think a woman can't sail her 27 foot O'Day out of her slip singlehanded...You don't Sail.
4. If you reef your sail in 15 knots of wind because you don't like to heel....You don't sail.
5. If you don't go out when it's blowin 25 cause it's too windy...You don't sail.
6. If you don't like the taste of Rum...You don't sail.

Maybe we can make up name for this annoying sub-group you insist on including in the broad term, "sailor." I know, let's call them "Nons" (As in non-sailor)

[CharlieCobra]

If my boat sits on the trailor or in a slip for more than 28 days in a month without some valid medical or mechanical reason, somebody SHOOT ME!

[Pirate's Booty]

My pleasure, darling - just let me know when and where!
Ha ha ha!

[cardiacpaul]

I may disagree with some of the rules, like the reffing and the 25 knot winds, and I don't drink, not because I can't I just don't like to, I am in full agreement with the sittin' at the dock".

I mean, really folks, I'm now within minutes of the boat, rather than hours, and I can think of nothing better than saying to the better half, "slather up with sunscreen hon, we're gettin' out toes wet". But at the couple of marinas that I frequent here, there are boats that are worth 100-300k that haven't moved away from the dock in YEARS. I just don't understand it. why buy something thats the price of a house then not at least visit?