[C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts

[Chris Burti]

To add to Jeff's good advice:

In your situation as described and when in higher winds, don't turn in the
fairway at the slip and try to back straight in as the SW wind will blow the
bow off every time as you transition from forward to reverse.

Experiment in lower winds to get a feel for how she handles and learn under
a lot less stress. don't forget to allow for current as well as wind if
applicable.

Slowly pass by the slip a couple of boat lengths, stop, reverse and start
backing straight up the fairway on the windward side. Once you start making
about one knot of speed in reverse (about a boat length usually if your prop
is clean), you should have ample steering control to largely overcome the
effect of the wind and any prop walk.

Some folks find it easier to back while standing forward of the wheel and
face aft.Turn into the slip while *mentally* trying to hit the windward
pilings. It is actually kind of hard to hit them because even though you
are aiming high the wind will cause the boat to fall off some. Pick up your
dock lines on the windward side and worry about the leeward ones later. You
should have at least one springline and if only one, that one should be on
the windward side for the prevailing winds.

While on this subject; you should consider having three sets of dock lines.
One regular 5/8" set tied to the pilings with chafing gear and adjusted so
that you can simply slip the loop through and over the cleats without
further adjustment. They get left behind when you go  and are always ready
when you return. A traveling set of 1/2" double braid, 4 - 20' and 2 - 30'.
they will be adequate for gales and are much easier to toss and store than
larger lines and three strand. Finally, a brand new set of 5/8" lines saved
for storms.

Personally, I favor double braid for all my dock lines. They are not so
pricey if you catch them on sale or get a good eBay deal. As the Admiral
usually handles the dock lines, they are worth their weight in gold for
their ease of use. The first set I bought was my travelling lines and she
really complained about the price...The first time she used them was to to
toss the spring line to someone on a dock about 25' off in wind and current
and it went straight to their hand...she has never questioned the price
again.


On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 9:08 AM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> Dennis,
>
>  The most important rule in my book is Minimum 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
>
>


-- 
Chris Burti Farmville, NC