[C320-list] Heaving-to

[David Hayes]

Hi all,

I recently read the Atom Voyages article about the 13 day offshore trip in a 320, a really great article.  But, I'd appreciate any thoughts regarding one particular reference he makes to heaving-to and the sail configuration he used....where he says he backfilled the jib and had the helm (locked) turned slightly leeward, and the boat (rather than heaving-to, actually started forereaching quite calmly) happily galloped off to the south-east at about 5 knots with a wind from the south-west, and stayed on that course itself all night without a hand on the wheel.
Everything I have read about heaving-to says to backfill the job and turn the wheel to windward.....not leeward.  I have tried it only once in very light winds and this seemed to work as intended, but I do plan on practising this again in heavier winds next time I'm out.  But this article seems contrary to other things I have read.  No doubt it depends on the precise amount of sail you have out etc as to exactly where you have the wheel pointed to achieve the result the author achieved, but steering to leeward, with a backfilled jib, I would expect to push you strongly downwind rather than keep you on a reach?

I'd appreciate any thoughts.
__________________
David Hayes
Mobile: 0478 956 056
20 Cooks Outlet Road
Loch Vic 3945