01-13-2010
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Somewhat Flexible Member
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: marble hill, ga
Posts: 2,988
Rep Power: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sealover
"Just sail dude" I like the idea. But it's 15 degrees and I only have off summers. So... I'm going to armchair it for a few more months. Here's a scenario I've been running in my head and I'd like some input from those with more experience.
I'm on my Nixon-era 17 footer. Cuddy cabin. Old but passable hanked-on jib and boom-furling main (no other sails) I'm sailing around on the Chesapeake at a spot where it's about 2-3 miles wide. There isn't much traffic, commercial or otherwise so to avoid the crab pots I'm sticking pretty much to the middle, making full use of the empty shipping lanes. One or two on board. Only one has any sailing skills. The other is a timid mess who enjoys looking at the "pretty skyline" I'm right smack in the middle and I see a thunderstorm quickly brewing to the West. Waves are already 1-2 feet but with the swing keel down and the sails full the boat handles them as best a 17 footer can.
I've had the boat heeled to 40 degrees and thought it was awesome. A little scary, but awesome. But I have no intention of subjecting my only sails to 40+ mph winds. The jib is hanked on, so down it goes. bungeed to the deck while still on the forestay if I am short on time, removed and below deck if wife can take the tiller.
Here's where I'm unsure what I'd do. The 4 HP Yamaha will get the boat to 5.5 mph (I need to convert the GPS to knots...) at full tilt. 4.5 at quarter throttle. Both with the swing keel up. Drop 1mph for both with it down. The bay runs North-South and we'll say tide is heading out (South) My trailer is North, on the Western side. Do I run (motor?) with the wind, find an empty dock somewhere on the Eastern side? It could kick up real bad and blow me right up onto some millionaire's seawall. Or his docked Jet ski? Do I turn and motor into the waves? Scoot toward the Western shore (out of the shipping lane) as quick as I can, anchor off among the crab pots (15' depth) and untangle after the storm? (presently, only one 6ish lb Danforth on 3' of chain, 50' of line. After reading "Blue Water" I dedicated another 150' of line to the anchor but haven't tied it on yet.
Take the main down completely (boom included) reef it to a little triangle?
I had planned on sending the Mrs. down below, instructed her to stay clear of the metal and plan for a bumpy ride and shut the hatch cover and bungee it shut (she could kick it out or force it open if needed -- so could a wave though)
Other things I planned on doing: inserting the bolt to keep the swing keel down. Apparently in a roll or blow down this ensures the boat will end up back on it's feet. I don't normally keep it in because I'm prone to finding shallow areas with it. I'd also tie the outboard to the boat with something. (ever price a new one?!!)
I'd also put my life vest on and make sure anyone else on board had it on. Nav lights on too. I think the dudley-do-rights are spot-on with those suggestions.
Humor and sarcasm are expected (and appreciated) but I would also value your opinion as someone who has dealt with this.
Remember, this is a 17' boat. I've read lots of accounts of storms but they're all in 55 footers "Mimsy and I hoped our hired captain would see us through. Wish he could have kept it smoother, I nearly spilled gin on my Burberry ascot"
So whatcha got?
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this may sound smartass, but if ya lived on the lower eastern shore, ya'd be able to see the storms in ample time to reach a port or land. more times than none, a bay summer storm will last no longer than 30 minutes, then is slick cam afterwards..........
ain't tryin' to tell ya where to live, or anything..........
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