[C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts - Docking

[Dennis Harris]

Jeff,

Thanks for your advice.  Your recommendation largely reconfirms my thoughts 
about approach speed.  I had not thought about your suggestion of practicing 
approaches on a mooring buoy from all different angles.  I think that the 
next time that I'm out sailing and the wind is kicking up, I'll put out a 
temporary buoy (weighted round fender) and have a practice session.  This 
temporary buoy will get me out into open water where conditions will be more 
severe than at the mooring buoys that I have access to.  As for hot 
approaches, I've seen a few of these and they often don't turn out well.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rigging for 30+knts


> 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
>
>