[C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts

[Jeff Hare]

Dennis,

  The most important rule in my book is Mimimum Headway Speed.  Don't go any faster than you'd want to be going if you knew you were going to hit something.  

Even with wind, current/waves, before you head into the slip area, figure out how slow you can go and maintain steerage, and what angle to wind / waves the bow needs to point to travel the direction you want.

Put out lots of fenders at appropriate places to protect your boat and others.   

While it seems counter intuitive, *avoid* using the throttle at ALL COST during your approach.

Put the throttle at about idle and go in and out of gear to manage your speed.  This technique makes it much easier to focus on holding down boat speed and the precision of your approach. 

Again, GO SLOWLY, and if you find you are going to hit, don't panic, just go to neutral and let it happen, let the boat settle and weigh the options then. Trying to power out of the situation nearly always makes things worse. This is why you were going as slowly as possible to begin with.  :)   

I can't tell you how many times I see people coming in hot and trying to blast their way in because they think its the only way to get the boat in. When it fails (usually does), it is a high stress event taking place really fast, with damage to match. 

Try using a mooring ball sometime to see just how slowly you can go and touch the boat's bow right on the ball from any direction you choose regardless of the wind/current direction. It'll do wonders for your confidence. 
-Jeff

  
-----Original Message-----
From: "Dennis Harris" <dharris02 at suddenlink.net>
Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:23:07 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Reply-To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts

In sailing in 30+ knots wind and the time comes to run for cover, that 
probably means docking in these conditions.  Single handed, or with 
inexperienced crew, how do/have you done this without damaging the boat?

Secondly, how should I do it?.....typical situation, standard fixed piling 
slip (14' x 35') oriented N-S, wind from SW over 3 mile fetch, 8-9' depth 
with significant wave/chop action.  Slip approach in fairway will be to E, 
200' down wind/cross wind.  Hazards are short finger pier on leeward side of 
slip and adjacent boats extending a little into fairway.

Dennis Harris
C320 # 694

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Ireland" <cherie320 at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:07 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts


> All
>
> Thank you for the benefit of your experience.  Appreciate the advice. 
> Looks
> like the take aways are....new sails (no bags allowed), double reef, 
> flatten
> until the stitches pop, use good gloves, depower, raise a small jib, and 
> run
> for cover when it just does not work.
>
> Pat, 801