We are planning a trip from Oriental to Ocracoke at the end of September. Even with a good forecast, i'm sure we'll still have to deal with the afternoon squall lines that normally form this time of year. We can handle 3-4' waves in our Pearson 27 and still feel comfortable but anything over that we start getting a little nervous. When faced with an oncoming squall and rough chop... what do you do?
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Joel73
I try to run downwind on a broad reach.. and hopefully that is where I want to got. If it looks like a nasty blow I roll in the head sail. and go with main alone I also blow off the vang to spill some air and take the helm over from the auto pilot.
jef
sv shiva
jef
sv shiva
I just reef and pound through it on a bigger boat. On mine with no reefing or furling, I just sheet out and pound through it.
Reduce sail before the squall line hits... If possible, get to an area where the you're in the lee of the shore, so the force of the squalls is weakened. If near a lee shore... head for deeper water and further from shore. Rig jacklines and put on your PFDs, harnesses and tethers if you've got them.
On the 20' C scow that I sail when we get into the heavier winds we crank hard on the vang and cunningham, let out the traveler and work the mainsheet to spill any excess wind. You want to flatten the sail as much as possible and keep the power low and forward. A tight vang, and cunningham will help flatten the luff of your sail, keeping the boom down. The leach is then controlled by main sheet tension. The C scow is a 20' dinghy and we can't reef. I would think the vang and cunningham would have similar effect on keel boats and rigs that can reef. By letting off the vang as mentioned by SanderO/jef you would actually hold more wind/power. The only time we let off that vang is if we are getting tipped on our ear and a strong helm developes, we release the pressure, flatten out the boat and then bring the vang back on again.
This worked well enough to secure 3rd in our 24 boat fleet for this season.
Jeff
This worked well enough to secure 3rd in our 24 boat fleet for this season.
Jeff
Hi,
I experienced my first squall last week. We went on the boat around 7:30PM with the plan of watching the Perseid meteor shower. The weather forecast was for clear skies and light winds. As we headed down to the marina my wife remarked on some dark clouds. I told her the weather forecast was fine, checked it again on my mobile phone and again it was fine.
Once on the boat we headed out. Once clear of the harbor my wife pointed out some dark clouds north of us. She said those were rain clouds. I agreed they were, but the clouds were far away and we didn't need to worry. I put on the weather radio and for the first time they said a slight chance of rain.
We stayed near the harbor entrance. The storms seemed to be moving away. Then about 200 yards away I saw a wall of water moving towards us at a high rate of speed. I had enough time to say "oh sh*t". I had my wife take the wheel while I rolled in the headsail. That took about a minute, and in that time my wife and I were completely soaked. Once the headsail was in my wife went below with the kids. The wind was strong, but with just the main up the boat rode very nicely and we didn't heel very much. The squall passed in about 10 minutes.
Next time I see a storm like that I would
-take the headsail down and leave the main up
-put on PFD's
-have rain gear handy
-I might even start the motor
Good luck,
Barry
I experienced my first squall last week. We went on the boat around 7:30PM with the plan of watching the Perseid meteor shower. The weather forecast was for clear skies and light winds. As we headed down to the marina my wife remarked on some dark clouds. I told her the weather forecast was fine, checked it again on my mobile phone and again it was fine.
Once on the boat we headed out. Once clear of the harbor my wife pointed out some dark clouds north of us. She said those were rain clouds. I agreed they were, but the clouds were far away and we didn't need to worry. I put on the weather radio and for the first time they said a slight chance of rain.
We stayed near the harbor entrance. The storms seemed to be moving away. Then about 200 yards away I saw a wall of water moving towards us at a high rate of speed. I had enough time to say "oh sh*t". I had my wife take the wheel while I rolled in the headsail. That took about a minute, and in that time my wife and I were completely soaked. Once the headsail was in my wife went below with the kids. The wind was strong, but with just the main up the boat rode very nicely and we didn't heel very much. The squall passed in about 10 minutes.
Next time I see a storm like that I would
-take the headsail down and leave the main up
-put on PFD's
-have rain gear handy
-I might even start the motor
Good luck,
Barry
In a smaller boat with no motor, or a small outboard, consider whether the squall is going to set you towards a lee shore. If it really honks, you may not be able to make good anything to windward, and you won't be able to see enough in all that rain (or hail) to determine if you're staying clear of shore, or getting closer.
So, if you have good holding ground, and it's not too deep, consider dousing all sail and dropping the hook. Do it before the squall hits.
This works on Lake Pontchartrain, where I sail and teach sometimes. Bottom's only 15 feet down, easy to get plenty of scope.
So, if you have good holding ground, and it's not too deep, consider dousing all sail and dropping the hook. Do it before the squall hits.
This works on Lake Pontchartrain, where I sail and teach sometimes. Bottom's only 15 feet down, easy to get plenty of scope.
I guess it depends how strong the squalls are. I've always thought that you head into the approaching squall. The idea being to get it overwith fast. However, I've been caught out in microcells with 60 knot winds and with sails down and both engines at full power have been unable to make any headway.
Should this happen, I trust you all have your track enabled on your GPS. I go with the wind and with near zero visibility use the track on my GPS to keep me floating on the blue wet stuff. This works for almost all scenarios, but the last time out we were actually struck by lightning.
We can't control the elements, all you can do is minimize the risks to boat and crew.
Should this happen, I trust you all have your track enabled on your GPS. I go with the wind and with near zero visibility use the track on my GPS to keep me floating on the blue wet stuff. This works for almost all scenarios, but the last time out we were actually struck by lightning.
We can't control the elements, all you can do is minimize the risks to boat and crew.
This is common enough on Lake Ontario in the spring and fall (with occasional bursts of "rolling" squalls in front of thunderheads) that it pays to practice. First thing is easy: look behind you occasionally. This stuff almost always comes from the west or the southwest on the lake, and so the greatest danger is getting caught going east in the morning: the vast cloud bank *won't* cross the sun before it's on you. 6string's advice was sound, so I won't repeat it here, but will add a little trick I've used on occasion...a little clip on rear view mirror. Properly positioned on the cabintop or clipped to a bimini frame, it's a way to glance backward without turning your head. Turning to look back over your shoulder is a good way to slew 10 degrees off course with a tiller...not what you want to do if you are getting pasted on a run.
Other than that, I actually think if you can drive the boat on a broad reach, you will be safer than if you attempt to round up to motor into the wind with sail still up. Of course, I am assuming this unfortunate squall doesn't happen when you are close into shore.
I recall in 2000 when a 60 knot squall of some 10 minutes' duration hit my club, during a C&C regatta of all things. A 41 footer tried to motor in through the gap, but simply couldn't...the cross wind was too much. Coming about just by the small shelter of the swamped breakwall and running off into the lake was far safer.
Other than that, I actually think if you can drive the boat on a broad reach, you will be safer than if you attempt to round up to motor into the wind with sail still up. Of course, I am assuming this unfortunate squall doesn't happen when you are close into shore.
I recall in 2000 when a 60 knot squall of some 10 minutes' duration hit my club, during a C&C regatta of all things. A 41 footer tried to motor in through the gap, but simply couldn't...the cross wind was too much. Coming about just by the small shelter of the swamped breakwall and running off into the lake was far safer.
I actually have quite a bit of squall experience on the Ches bay for 22 years where they tend to be a regular experience and winds can quickly get to 60+ for short periods of time.
I distinctly remember one squall crossing the mouth of the Potomac heading south in our 44 footer where we could see the squall coming down the river and took all sail down but continued under power heading south. We were broadside to the wind with no sails and in one minute had more than our rail in the water and were blind to anything around us, such was the violence of the squall. If I had a small motor then, I might not have been able to turn into the wind, such was the force of the wind and steep seas. The time to head up is as the strom is hitting...not after.
The point of motoring into the wind is to keep the bow pointed up to provide a more comfortable ride and to keep the windage at a minimum...it is not an attempt to make progress...Indeed, you may even lose ground for a bit but while you do so, you are not at risk of running out of room as you would be on a downhill run or at risk of broaching as you would be if on a beam tack. Squalls are over quickly despite their violence and different tactics are called for than one might employ in open water during real storms.
I distinctly remember one squall crossing the mouth of the Potomac heading south in our 44 footer where we could see the squall coming down the river and took all sail down but continued under power heading south. We were broadside to the wind with no sails and in one minute had more than our rail in the water and were blind to anything around us, such was the violence of the squall. If I had a small motor then, I might not have been able to turn into the wind, such was the force of the wind and steep seas. The time to head up is as the strom is hitting...not after.
The point of motoring into the wind is to keep the bow pointed up to provide a more comfortable ride and to keep the windage at a minimum...it is not an attempt to make progress...Indeed, you may even lose ground for a bit but while you do so, you are not at risk of running out of room as you would be on a downhill run or at risk of broaching as you would be if on a beam tack. Squalls are over quickly despite their violence and different tactics are called for than one might employ in open water during real storms.
Cam,
Had many of the same experiences in the bay. Once was in a cell when the motor quit, we had no sails up so our only option was to turn and run with it. We hit 8.9 knots on a bare pole
Lets not forget the Heave to option!! That way you can get some coffee and watch the storm pass. Practice is everything, and we do it often.
Had many of the same experiences in the bay. Once was in a cell when the motor quit, we had no sails up so our only option was to turn and run with it. We hit 8.9 knots on a bare pole
Lets not forget the Heave to option!! That way you can get some coffee and watch the storm pass. Practice is everything, and we do it often.
After adjusting the sails and course, don safety gear as many have already stated...I usually go down below and change my underwear
Down in the Gulf of Mexico we have not so open waters. Meaning that the thousand or so oil platforms are either a navigation hazard to you or a secure tie off point that you can use to ride out the T'storms. If you do the latter then use about 200 or more feet of line. Then you have to watch out for shifting winds. For you do not want to be wrapped around a rusty steel platform. So be prepared to sacrifice the last bit of line that is on the platform. Say 200 feet of good line and have about 50 to 75 feet of old line married to the good line with a schackle or a double becket bend. With a sharp serated edged knife, ready on hand, for cutting the line if necessary.
You will see a lot of parted mooring lines hanging off these platforms. That is normal out there. When I was working out there, had parted many a line while doing our jobs along side the platforms. And our mooring lines are much thicker than what you normally are using. But then again we are on much bigger vessels also.
You will see a lot of parted mooring lines hanging off these platforms. That is normal out there. When I was working out there, had parted many a line while doing our jobs along side the platforms. And our mooring lines are much thicker than what you normally are using. But then again we are on much bigger vessels also.
If I can, I reduce sail and try to maintain my original heading, but if conditions are so sever that you are endangering your self or your crew as well as the boat, I tend to turn and run if there is ample sea room.
We sail the Great Lakes and generally have enough room to turn to open water.
If the seas are building to the 6'+ side, I don't like to be dead down wind but more on a broad reach. Stern dead to the wind gives me a very uncomfortable feeling going down the face of a very steep wave. I rather they were on my quarter.
If need be, go bare poles, but generally keep up a little sail if conditions permit; they help to stable the ride.
In tight quarters stuck close to shore with the wind blowing me against the shore, start the motor and claw away from shore to safety. If the engine is not strong enough to overcome the wind and I am being blown onto a shoreline, drop the hook.
But I always try to look for open water; sea space and deeper water are your friends this case.
We sail the Great Lakes and generally have enough room to turn to open water.
If the seas are building to the 6'+ side, I don't like to be dead down wind but more on a broad reach. Stern dead to the wind gives me a very uncomfortable feeling going down the face of a very steep wave. I rather they were on my quarter.
If need be, go bare poles, but generally keep up a little sail if conditions permit; they help to stable the ride.
In tight quarters stuck close to shore with the wind blowing me against the shore, start the motor and claw away from shore to safety. If the engine is not strong enough to overcome the wind and I am being blown onto a shoreline, drop the hook.
But I always try to look for open water; sea space and deeper water are your friends this case.
I think SD is saying that the "lee of the shore" is protected from wind and waves by land, but a "lee shore" is on the windward side of land, subjected to unbuffered wind and waves.
One item that I think has been missed is if you have a relatively small boat or a tender boat you should make sure your cockpit lockers lids are secure and you should put in your hatch boards, at least your bottom board and have a way to secure it. If you get knocked down you could take on a lot of water through them in a very short time.
I have been though a ton of squalls on Lake Huron, most are fun, especially if you have been in light or no wind for hours. You can sort of judge how strong they are likely to be. The size and darkness of the clouds and how much they are "roiling over" gives you some idea. When racing I try to make a judgment call to how much sail area we can carry, the opposite to cruising.
Of course I have 4-6 experienced sailors on board to get a sail down if I judge wrong.
The strongest one I was ever in was in Saginaw Bay and it looked real nasty so we took down the Genoa and put a reef into the main. I guesstimate the wind strength at 80 knots. It blew my new main out in about 10 seconds. We dropped it and sailed under bare poles for about 20 minutes till it passed. The wind was so strong I can remember having to cup my hand over my mouth so that I could suck in air. I really never want to find out what hurricane wind strengths feels like.
Gary
I have been though a ton of squalls on Lake Huron, most are fun, especially if you have been in light or no wind for hours. You can sort of judge how strong they are likely to be. The size and darkness of the clouds and how much they are "roiling over" gives you some idea. When racing I try to make a judgment call to how much sail area we can carry, the opposite to cruising.
Of course I have 4-6 experienced sailors on board to get a sail down if I judge wrong.
The strongest one I was ever in was in Saginaw Bay and it looked real nasty so we took down the Genoa and put a reef into the main. I guesstimate the wind strength at 80 knots. It blew my new main out in about 10 seconds. We dropped it and sailed under bare poles for about 20 minutes till it passed. The wind was so strong I can remember having to cup my hand over my mouth so that I could suck in air. I really never want to find out what hurricane wind strengths feels like.
Gary
Depending on what you are expecting...Squall line with lightning? Then physically disconnect and ground the radio antennas and power lines, main instrument power as well, to protect them. Secure hatches, seacocks, including head and galley. If a knockdown can flood you through the lazarettes--secure then or tape them over. (Yes, a keelboat can borach and flood and sink vrom a lazarette opening up during the broach.)
Before you disconnect that radio...there is nothing wrong with calling the local USCG and asking the to listen for you contact in a half hour, or to try raising ou in a half hour, for a radio security check. (Or using you cell phone and askihng anyone else to do the same.) There's nothing "chicken" in asking someone to make sure you're OK after the squall moves through, when you are not familiar with the wx about to hit you.
Before you disconnect that radio...there is nothing wrong with calling the local USCG and asking the to listen for you contact in a half hour, or to try raising ou in a half hour, for a radio security check. (Or using you cell phone and askihng anyone else to do the same.) There's nothing "chicken" in asking someone to make sure you're OK after the squall moves through, when you are not familiar with the wx about to hit you.
Thanks for clarifying my previous point TB....
Hiding behind a big rock makes good sense....Hiding in front of a big rock... not so bright...
Hiding behind a big rock makes good sense....Hiding in front of a big rock... not so bright...
I will chime in here with agrees and dissagrees.
First, we always drop/reef sail. We dealt with these EVERY DAY in SW Florida (during the summer). THey come on you fast and strong and leave fast and strong. You need to know which primary sail works best for your boat. My guess is that it is the main for most boats, but the jib is easier to handle and reef. Regarding starting the engine... I can almost guarantee you that your main will not keep up in a strong blow. Cam is right, if I read him right, that it was not the point to make headway... but you will lose it so make sure you have some sea room. If you don't have sea room, you need to be thinking about motor sailing.
If I am anchored at the time and the anchor is holding, I will not weigh anchor even if up against a lee shore. I will often start the engine and motor into them if I have to. THis goes against some logic, but when it is blowing hard you almost cannot get away from a Lee quick enough. The closer in you get the more the waves break and the harder it becomes.
Another comment on the lockers is the anchor locker and anchor itself. When beating into the wind, the bow will drop in the seas and hit hard in the swells. This has a real tendency to try and jerk the anchor loose. Keep it WELL secured at all times.
Those are a few lessons I have learned the hard way.
- CD
First, we always drop/reef sail. We dealt with these EVERY DAY in SW Florida (during the summer). THey come on you fast and strong and leave fast and strong. You need to know which primary sail works best for your boat. My guess is that it is the main for most boats, but the jib is easier to handle and reef. Regarding starting the engine... I can almost guarantee you that your main will not keep up in a strong blow. Cam is right, if I read him right, that it was not the point to make headway... but you will lose it so make sure you have some sea room. If you don't have sea room, you need to be thinking about motor sailing.
If I am anchored at the time and the anchor is holding, I will not weigh anchor even if up against a lee shore. I will often start the engine and motor into them if I have to. THis goes against some logic, but when it is blowing hard you almost cannot get away from a Lee quick enough. The closer in you get the more the waves break and the harder it becomes.
Another comment on the lockers is the anchor locker and anchor itself. When beating into the wind, the bow will drop in the seas and hit hard in the swells. This has a real tendency to try and jerk the anchor loose. Keep it WELL secured at all times.
Those are a few lessons I have learned the hard way.
- CD
How does one drop the main and then heave-to? I thought you needed the main to balance the backed foresail -- will the bare pole suffice in high winds?
Heaving to is only an option if you have miles of sea room. If you don't and if you don't know for certain that the weather is going to pass before you get pushed onto the rocks, it can be a dicey thing to do.
If the waves are getting big - you want to keep your bow facing into them. If you can't do that, then keep them directly on your stern.
If, for some reason, you have to turn the boat, do it on the TOP of a wave - not in the trough. It is not hard for a combination of high winds and breaking waves and a beam-to position to turn into a broach and knock down.
The first few times out in bad weather it can be kind of terrifying, and I don't think anyone out there ceases to get a little nervous when things start to get messy, but if you stay calm, you'll be amazed at what your boat can survive.
If the waves are getting big - you want to keep your bow facing into them. If you can't do that, then keep them directly on your stern.
If, for some reason, you have to turn the boat, do it on the TOP of a wave - not in the trough. It is not hard for a combination of high winds and breaking waves and a beam-to position to turn into a broach and knock down.
The first few times out in bad weather it can be kind of terrifying, and I don't think anyone out there ceases to get a little nervous when things start to get messy, but if you stay calm, you'll be amazed at what your boat can survive.
One should also be prepared for the fact that squalls and thunderstorms may involve radical wind shifts as well. Anchoring, even dragging anchor, or deploying sea anchor are viable options for weathering the tumult.
Most are probably not equipped to reef their main deep enough for the possible conditions. Unless you are willing, and equipped, to rig a storm jib and trysail it might be best to get all sail off her. The potential for a knockdown makes battening down imperative. Reliance on the motor may be found to be misplaced. It's called an auxilary for a reason, unless you're on one of those 50 horse Mac's. (g)
Most are probably not equipped to reef their main deep enough for the possible conditions. Unless you are willing, and equipped, to rig a storm jib and trysail it might be best to get all sail off her. The potential for a knockdown makes battening down imperative. Reliance on the motor may be found to be misplaced. It's called an auxilary for a reason, unless you're on one of those 50 horse Mac's. (g)
You really don't get these much in a squall line, usually more in a storm with lots of fetch coming into shallow water.
Running with a sea is probably ok in rollers. However, if they are breaking, all the rules change (in my opinion). If you take a breaker on the stern, it will kick your stern around and put you bean on to the next sea. It also makes for a VERY rough ride. Also, by running with the breakers, it is more difficult to manuever the seas. Bow on is by far the best way to take a breaker. I don't think it is hard, but it takes thought and attention. It is interesting to note that not all seas break. I am sure there is some physics formula that defines when it breaks (matter of fact, think I have seen one), but it is best just pay close attention.
When the seas break in a wind (in my experience), they roll to one side flowing the wind. You want to manuever just to the winward side of the break or between the seas when possible. If you steer between the seas, sometimes that puts you in the red zone on the next sea. You just have to get your timing down.
I am not an expert here. I am only giving my experience, which honestly is limited in breaking seas... but I have done it. Breakers are very dangers and make for a very long ride. Avoid it if possible, but if you have to be in them, here is what I look for. Others feel free to comment.
![Image]()
Looking at that pic, it gives the apearance of being under a breaker (in the yellow). THat is not right. THat is the timing area for if you are making a point to steer to. You have to be in that area after the breaker. That is not real clear in the pic.
Running with a sea is probably ok in rollers. However, if they are breaking, all the rules change (in my opinion). If you take a breaker on the stern, it will kick your stern around and put you bean on to the next sea. It also makes for a VERY rough ride. Also, by running with the breakers, it is more difficult to manuever the seas. Bow on is by far the best way to take a breaker. I don't think it is hard, but it takes thought and attention. It is interesting to note that not all seas break. I am sure there is some physics formula that defines when it breaks (matter of fact, think I have seen one), but it is best just pay close attention.
When the seas break in a wind (in my experience), they roll to one side flowing the wind. You want to manuever just to the winward side of the break or between the seas when possible. If you steer between the seas, sometimes that puts you in the red zone on the next sea. You just have to get your timing down.
I am not an expert here. I am only giving my experience, which honestly is limited in breaking seas... but I have done it. Breakers are very dangers and make for a very long ride. Avoid it if possible, but if you have to be in them, here is what I look for. Others feel free to comment.
Looking at that pic, it gives the apearance of being under a breaker (in the yellow). THat is not right. THat is the timing area for if you are making a point to steer to. You have to be in that area after the breaker. That is not real clear in the pic.
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