Stowing sails (and other things) on deck

[DaveMancini]

Sue,

I was not very clear about my term "stowage". Sorry. Some things belong on deck, like anchors, whisker poles, solar panels, etc. These should be secured in robust fixtures. Many times they are not, particularly in the case of solar panels.

Also, John is right: some things are safer on deck, even if there is a risk they might be carried away by blue water. An outboard is a good example (though I don't have one), assuming it is impossible to safely secure it in a locker that can drain fluids overboard if that risk exists. Dodgers do go by the board, rarely, but it is probably impractical to stow them below once the weather deteriorates. (I only used dodgers being carried away as an example of how bad it can get.)

The problem needs to be approached practically, with the goal being to limit on deck stowage as far as possible for three reasons: the boat will sail better, movement on deck will be easier and safer, and stuff will be less likely to carry away with possible collateral damage occurring.

One of the ways to accomplish this is to limit the unnecessary "extras". Of course, one person's extra is another person's necessity. That's the hard part of this question. Good luck with it.

Dave

[SVAuspicious]

I don't have a PS so I hope no one will mind a few thoughts, perhaps from a different perspective.

My outboard is ordinarily stored on the pushpit, but I am nervous about the weight (Honda 9.9 dual-start weighs about 105#) so it goes on the foredeck lashed down under the RIB that is upside down on top of it. Perhaps with a few extra folding padeyes you could do something similar. Incidentally I found it was much easier to get the RIB really secure when fully inflated.

I keep my primary anchor in the bow roller all the time. Offshore I lash it in place with lines from the shackle hole and from a hole forward on the shank. I try to tie it in so that if I do need to cut them for some reason there is access to both on the same side of the anchor; usually I untie the anchor the day before landfall anyway.

My sail locker is under the v-berth. I keep a spare headsail and a spinnaker there. Protective canvas (mainsail cover and helm cover) go there also. If the weather is benign enough to fly the chute opening up the v-berth isn't a big deal. My staysail I keep hanked on to the inner forestay in a bag. Worst case (hasn't happened) I might lose the bag but the sail isn't going anywhere.

Fuel jugs are lashed to boards themselves clamped to the pushpit (I have a center-cockpit boat so the aft deck is a dandy place to store things).

My barbecue grill gets double-bagged and stored on the floor of the shower. Wet foul weather gear usually gets dumped on top of it.

You don't want to take down the dodger offshore. It's there to protect you and you will be much happier with it in place even if you do take the very mild risk of it being swept away in a storm.

Many cruisers do end up with diesel, gas, and water jugs lashed along the rails. I prefer to avoid that if at all possible, primarily to keep the sidedecks clear for going forward if needed. The RIB is trouble enough without adding more tripping hazards. Unfortunately if you don't have an alternative then you do what you must.

sail fast, dave
S/V Auspicious