Posted by jsforgey@… (jsforgey@…)
Are there “normal” storms, or does everyone steer clear of any thunder storm if at all possible?
I was surprised to see people leave port and sail into dark weather.
I am clear about being prepared. Weather sneaks up on you in the Gulf stream, often changing direction mid stream. We have an emergency batten the hatches plan, which clearly worked. The kids drill it once a year, together with MOB drills twice yearly.
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.
Posted by jsforgey (jsforgey@…>)
I am just wondering if we are fair weather sailers or does everyone
deal with storms with much less drama.
We just turned back from a trip to Bimini. Ten miles out, Two storms
intersected unexpectantly in the gulfstream and we had 60 knot gusts
and hail. A water spout was reported, but we did not see it.
Other sailboats seemed to keep going, and went out the next day in
nearly identical weather.
I was very pleased with the boat’s performance in these conditions. We
yanked the sails down after the first storm hit with 30 knot gusts.
Even with the Bimini and Dodger up, the 60 knot gusts were not too bad
to deal with. The sails stayed put. We did about 4 knots with bare
poles running with it. She weathered it well…better than we did. The
lightening and thunder was especially intense.
Some poor fellow got zapped when he came up from diving with the metal
tank on his back. A fishing boat reported a sail boat being knocked
down.
My question then is: What’s prudent? Am I being too cautious? Do
people routinely sail into or through storms that don’t seem to severe?
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)
Most of the significant storms I’ve
sailed through I really had no choice. Was already far from shore. Generally
headed downwind but usually with some sail set, Sometimes a reach with double
reefed sails. When I had a sloop I used to hove to. With the F-33 have fore
reached but never really tried heaving to.
I’ve certainly headed out in winds
over 30-35 knots but not if really bad storms were predicted. When I first got
my F-33 I “tested” the mast by sailing downwind with full main up
in 35 knots of true wind. Reached 10 knots surfing for several hours before
reefing. Still have the mast. (Replaced the sail). J
If we were prudent we’d be couch
potatoes although I suppose that has risks too…
Alan F-33 Hull #51 1982
From: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jsforgey
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007
12:57 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Weather
I am just wondering if we are fair weather sailers or
does everyone
deal with storms with much less drama.
We just turned back from a trip to Bimini. Ten miles out, Two storms
intersected unexpectantly in the gulfstream and we had 60 knot gusts
and hail. A water spout was reported, but we did not see it.
Other sailboats seemed to keep going, and went out the next day in
nearly identical weather.
I was very pleased with the boat’s performance in these conditions. We
yanked the sails down after the first storm hit with 30 knot gusts.
Even with the Bimini and Dodger up, the 60 knot gusts were not too bad
to deal with. The sails stayed put. We did about 4 knots with bare
poles running with it. She weathered it well…better than we did. The
lightening and thunder was especially intense.
Some poor fellow got zapped when he came up from diving with the metal
tank on his back. A fishing boat reported a sail boat being knocked
down.
My question then is: What’s prudent? Am I being too cautious? Do
people routinely sail into or through storms that don’t seem to severe?
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
\
Posted by crwindy@…> (crwindy@…>)
I think the word is smart.
Unless you really have a reason to do so, why the heck take chances.
There is also lots of wear and tear on the boat as well that will cost you time
and money.
craig
---- jsforgey <jsforgey@…> wrote:
I am just wondering if we are fair weather sailers or does everyone
deal with storms with much less drama.
We just turned back from a trip to Bimini. Ten miles out, Two storms
intersected unexpectantly in the gulfstream and we had 60 knot gusts
and hail. A water spout was reported, but we did not see it.
Other sailboats seemed to keep going, and went out the next day in
nearly identical weather.
I was very pleased with the boat’s performance in these conditions. We
yanked the sails down after the first storm hit with 30 knot gusts.
Even with the Bimini and Dodger up, the 60 knot gusts were not too bad
to deal with. The sails stayed put. We did about 4 knots with bare
poles running with it. She weathered it well…better than we did. The
lightening and thunder was especially intense.
Some poor fellow got zapped when he came up from diving with the metal
tank on his back. A fishing boat reported a sail boat being knocked
down.
My question then is: What’s prudent? Am I being too cautious? Do
people routinely sail into or through storms that don’t seem to severe?
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
Posted by Al Lorman (ajl@…>)
Hardly; you are sane. I
crew for a professional delivery captain. He says that every sailor has
to be prepared to deal with bad weather, but only fools intentionally head out
into it. 60 kt gusts can badly damage even a well-sailed boat. Far
better to stay in port.
Al Lorman
F30 Ab Initio
From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of jsforgey
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 12:57 PM
To: FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [FreedomOwnersGroup] Weather
\
I am just wondering if we are fair weather
sailers or does everyone
deal with storms with much less drama.
We just turned back from a trip to Bimini. Ten miles out, Two storms
intersected unexpectantly in the gulfstream and we had 60 knot gusts
and hail. A water spout was reported, but we did not see it.
Other sailboats seemed to keep going, and went out the next day in
nearly identical weather.
I was very pleased with the boat’s performance in these conditions. We
yanked the sails down after the first storm hit with 30 knot gusts.
Even with the Bimini and Dodger up, the 60 knot gusts were not too bad
to deal with. The sails stayed put. We did about 4 knots with bare
poles running with it. She weathered it well…better than we did. The
lightening and thunder was especially intense.
Some poor fellow got zapped when he came up from diving with the metal
tank on his back. A fishing boat reported a sail boat being knocked
down.
My question then is: What’s prudent? Am I being too cautious? Do
people routinely sail into or through storms that don’t seem to severe?
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
\
Posted by Alan Kusinitz (akusinitz@…>)
I often sail in areas where for parts of
the year almost every day has thunderstorm potential. I check the radar and
unless something ominous is imminent I go. If I waited for no chance of
thunderstorms I’d rarely sail. I do take evasive action if I can
once out there but often I’m slow and wrong in my predictions.
On the other hand if the forecast was for
lots of very bad thunderstorms with a high probability and I wasn’t out
there I would delay.
The nice thing about thunderstorms is they
usually move by quickly.
But of course there’s still risk.
Alan
From:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jsforgey@…
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 3:25
PM
To:
FreedomOwnersGroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [FreedomOwnersGroup]
Weather
Are there “normal” storms, or
does everyone steer clear of any thunder storm if at all possible?
\
I was surprised to see people leave port
and sail into dark weather.
\
\
I am clear about being prepared.
Weather sneaks up on you in the Gulf stream,
often changing direction mid stream. We have an emergency batten the
hatches plan, which clearly worked. The kids drill it once a year,
together with MOB drills twice yearly.
\
\
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
\
\
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.
\
Posted by jsforgey@… (jsforgey@…)
Thanks for the reply.
I am clear that the boat and the mast will take a lot. We ran with little problem. I was glad that the dodger and Bimini was not phased by the over 60 knots of wind.
Just checking my sanity in watching others head out of a safe harbor and into a dark storm.
Scott
Girlfriend
F-32 (Hoyt)
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.