Heave-To J-22 with no jib

[Starbuck1962]

Any ideas on how to heave-to a J-22 with no jib and a double-reefed main?

[Tartan34C]

Without a jib you won’t be able to heave-to. The jib provides the counteracting force downwind to the reefed main’s force to windward. If you need to stop and blew out the headsail you can try laying a hull. I would think that would be uncomfortable in a J24 in extreme weather but it might be the only choice.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[Valiente]

The jib and the rudder counteract each other, and a boat heaved-to will "crab" at a knot or so downwind.

It's a good argument for carrying a storm jib, really.

A J-22 is a pretty light boat. Only experimentation will determine whether it can heave to at all, or perhaps only in certain conditions.

Here's some explanatory links: http://www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/heaving-to

Here's a video. Interestingly, they are demonstrating on a little J-boat!

http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/heaving_to_wmv1.htm

[labatt]

Actually... not quite true. You can sorta heave to with just the main, at least according to the Pardee's. My wife just finished reading a storm tactics book by them and the two of us have been arguing the merits of heaving to under main alone. According to the Pardee's, you can only do it in medium level air, and I can see why.

The concept is to create a balance between being in irons and heading up. First thing is to sheet your main in tight. You sail an upwind course, and then gradually pinch until you JUST go into irons. You lash your tiller or wheel at this angle. After a little bit, your boat will fall off a little, create a little forward motion, allow water to pass over the rudder and due to the rudder angle, push you into irons again. Rinse and repeat I don't like the idea since if the wind goes up a little bit, you have the opportunity to complete the tack and could potentially crash jibe if you aren't paying attention. Anyway, the point being, you can sorta heave to under main alone.

Personally, I think you should always heave to using your genoa. It's a tried and true method and far more controllable. As long as you have enough out for it to catch air you should be able to heave to (if your boat will allow you to heave to at all).

[sailingdog]

Labatt-

I believe that is actually forereaching, rather than actually heaving to.

[labatt]

SD - that would make sense. I didn't read the book, but my wife insisted that it was heaving to. That was one of the sources of our arguments - how could it be heaving to when it's not heaving to?

[Giulietta]

Drop the anchor and let the boat stop

[Starbuck1962]

I pretty comfortable with heaving to most of the time, although in a Colorado storm with the wind clocking I've found that I almost need to push out the main or the boat will spin and start sailing again.

The problem I had this last weekend was being in sudden strong winds where we double-reefed and took down the jib. We didn't have a big need to heave-to but neither of us (the other person on-board has much more experience) knew how to heave-to with that set-up. Since it's a club boat it only carries one jib and I'm not sure I want to buy a storm sail. I may try a "Rodstop" next time out and lash the boom to a shroud...........

[MtnMike]

I'm taking out a J-22 tomorrow. I'll give it a try and let you know what happens. I've heaved to on J-22s many times and double reefed and then took off again. They heave to nicely.
Starbuck, are you using Victorias J-22s? Where are you in Colorado?

[Boasun]

Originally Posted by labatt

SD - that would make sense. I didn't read the book, but my wife insisted that it was heaving to. That was one of the sources of our arguments - how could it be heaving to when it's not heaving to?

When you are heaving over the side. Or up chucking as some would call it.

But I would rather have control of the vessel even if it is only a modicum of control.