Rigging in High Winds
- Thread starter gavin5939
- Start date
Merrily
Administrator
gavin5939 said:
In high winds, it's much safer to launch the boat, tie it at the dock, and then attach the sail from the cockpit. That way the boat can swing head to wind. If you can't do that, then make sure the mainsheet is run all the way out so the boom can go where ever it wants.
As far as getting hold of the sail, I have that problem too. It helps if you have a shackle on the outhaul and attach that first to get some control of the sail. Then tie or strap the clew down.
Another choice is to bring a friend.
sorry... the boat wasn't ON the dock, it was AT the dock The winds were such that I couldn't even hold the sail or it would tip. I had to hold the mast from the dock to prevent it from tipping a lot of the time. Hold on... maybe if it was this windy then i shouldn't have gone out at all?
The winds were such that I couldn't even hold the sail or it would tip. I had to hold the mast from the dock to prevent it from tipping a lot of the time. Hold on... maybe if it was this windy then i shouldn't have gone out at all?
Merrily
Administrator
gavin5939 said:maybe if it was this windy then i shouldn't have gone out at all?
The first year I sailed my Laser (and the first year I skippered anything), I decided that if it was too windy for me to rig the boat alone, then it was too windy for my newbie sailing skills. I didn't want to have some spectacular, and discouraging, event, and I've built up slowly. That was in 2004. Now I can rig and sail alone in 12 knot winds, maybe more.
Just how windy was windy, anyway? How much experience do you have?
not sure what the wind speed in knots was, but i know that it was supposed to be about 30 kilometres per hour. That was said in a weather report, I don't know how fast that is or if it would be the same out on the water. However, the boat would tip if i left it on its own for maybe a minute?...
I have 5 years sailing experience, but I just bought my Laser this year. I'm about 170 lbs. at 6'4". I think I could have held it down if i actually got it out, but only barely.
I have 5 years sailing experience, but I just bought my Laser this year. I'm about 170 lbs. at 6'4". I think I could have held it down if i actually got it out, but only barely.
SFBayLaser
Member
We get days every year where just getting the mast stepped is an adventure. I love sailing on days like that, Lasers are simply awesome on the reaches and runs!
Here is what I do:
1) Dress ready to go sailing first. The minute the boat hits the water I'm going sailing.
2) I rig on the dolly making sure to tie down the bow (I use the centerboard shock cord wrapped around the dolly handles) and leave the boat resting on the gunnel supports so it will bounce around less.
3) Bow into the wind, set up all the control lines as much as possible, make sure rudder and tiller/extension are set up. I try to do as much as possible to minimize the time the sail is rapidly fluttering in the breeze,
3) Sail on mast, battens in sail, point top of mast into wind, wait for a lull and raise it. Wind will help push mast up, you'll get a few extra seconds as you approach vertical where you can control getting the butt of the mast into the mast step. When it is REALLY windy this helps me.
4) Rig outhaul, downhaul, vang, etc. Leaving the vang until last lets boom lift in the big puffs giving somewhat less tendancy for boat to want to do something bad.
5) If I am going to launch with wind behind me or to a reach (ie where I can make sure to spin the boat into the wind right away) then I rig the mainsheet. If I have to launch downwind then I run the mainsheet through the boom blocks and then reeve through traveller blocks and tie off at boom once on the water (hard really to explain this one... and can be tricky at some launch sites).
6) Typically I launch off a dock, so boat wheeled over to edge of dock, put rudder in and let off the gunnel supports (so boat is now resting on the dolly strap). Untie bow and put in water. If launching off a beach then rudder goes in after boat in water which is deep enough (and there are tricks to this...).
7) Centerboard in, me in, off the dock asap.
The major goal here is to minimize the time the sail is needlessly flapping in the breeze before going sailing. The boat will be happier, the sail will definitely be much happier.
Boat will have slightly less tendancy to capsize when tied to dock, in my experience, if board is down and vang is at max ease position. I try to avoid this because I just hate to see the poor sail fluttering in the breeze.
I know there are lots of people on this list who sail in big breeze (25+ knots), it would be interesting to hear what they do as well.
Tracy
Here is what I do:
1) Dress ready to go sailing first. The minute the boat hits the water I'm going sailing.
2) I rig on the dolly making sure to tie down the bow (I use the centerboard shock cord wrapped around the dolly handles) and leave the boat resting on the gunnel supports so it will bounce around less.
3) Bow into the wind, set up all the control lines as much as possible, make sure rudder and tiller/extension are set up. I try to do as much as possible to minimize the time the sail is rapidly fluttering in the breeze,
3) Sail on mast, battens in sail, point top of mast into wind, wait for a lull and raise it. Wind will help push mast up, you'll get a few extra seconds as you approach vertical where you can control getting the butt of the mast into the mast step. When it is REALLY windy this helps me.
4) Rig outhaul, downhaul, vang, etc. Leaving the vang until last lets boom lift in the big puffs giving somewhat less tendancy for boat to want to do something bad.
5) If I am going to launch with wind behind me or to a reach (ie where I can make sure to spin the boat into the wind right away) then I rig the mainsheet. If I have to launch downwind then I run the mainsheet through the boom blocks and then reeve through traveller blocks and tie off at boom once on the water (hard really to explain this one... and can be tricky at some launch sites).
6) Typically I launch off a dock, so boat wheeled over to edge of dock, put rudder in and let off the gunnel supports (so boat is now resting on the dolly strap). Untie bow and put in water. If launching off a beach then rudder goes in after boat in water which is deep enough (and there are tricks to this...).
7) Centerboard in, me in, off the dock asap.
The major goal here is to minimize the time the sail is needlessly flapping in the breeze before going sailing. The boat will be happier, the sail will definitely be much happier.
Boat will have slightly less tendancy to capsize when tied to dock, in my experience, if board is down and vang is at max ease position. I try to avoid this because I just hate to see the poor sail fluttering in the breeze.
I know there are lots of people on this list who sail in big breeze (25+ knots), it would be interesting to hear what they do as well.
Tracy
Merrily
Administrator
gavin5939 said:
That would be over 16 knots and it tends to be breezier over the water with nothing to block it. The boat sometimes falls over in high winds with the sail attached, but you say you couldn't attach the sail. Did you have the blades down, cause if not, the boat would definitely fall over. I would likely need help attaching the sail with that much wind, but if I were alone, this is what I'd try:
Get in the boat (to keep it from falling over) with blades already down and everything rigged except for the sail attached at the clew. Have the outhaul at its loosest, and also loosen the vang enough to put the boom on your shoulder, but put forward pressure on the boom so it won't pop off the connector at the mast. Have the boat head to wind and catch the sail when it oscillates your way. Swear when it pops out of your hand. Catch it again and with more determination. Attach the clew with a shackle that closes easily. I have one of those spring loaded ones. The clew will still be a hands length off the boom, but it is no longer flailing wildly. Now attach the clew with line or velcro. Immediately tighten the vang to keep the boom in place and to keep the sail from flogging. Adjust the rest of the controls for the conditions and go sailing. If that doesn't work after about 20 minutes of trying, put the boat away and have a beer.
fishingmickey
Member
Hi All,
This is one of the tricks I've used, I don't know if it will work for you or not. What I do is get the boat completely rigged mast stepped and boom attached to the vang, tighten the vang all the way to keep to boom against the deck, without having the sail on. Leaving cunningham off and outhaul off. I launch the boat and get the boat in shallow water and capsize it. Then I slide the sail on the mast with battens in of course, rig the cunningham, loosen the vang and attach outhaul. Re-right the boat and take off!
Regards,
Fishingmickey
150087/181157
This is one of the tricks I've used, I don't know if it will work for you or not. What I do is get the boat completely rigged mast stepped and boom attached to the vang, tighten the vang all the way to keep to boom against the deck, without having the sail on. Leaving cunningham off and outhaul off. I launch the boat and get the boat in shallow water and capsize it. Then I slide the sail on the mast with battens in of course, rig the cunningham, loosen the vang and attach outhaul. Re-right the boat and take off!
Regards,
Fishingmickey
150087/181157
Merrily
Administrator
One of the main goals of The Laser Forum is to provide a friendly enviroment for sailors of all levels and backgrounds. Please remember to be friendly. This site will not take the path of Sailing Anarchy where a question can't be asked without a smart answer.
49208
Tentmaker
I have to disagree with Merrily's suggestion of tying the clew on while the boat is in the water from the cockpit. IMHO, that is an exercise in frustration. I totally agree with SFBLaser - get it all done prior to launching and then launch and go. If you have the hull sitting on the dock prior to launching, and keeping the bow into the wind means part of the hull is off the dock (this is the setup at one of the clubs where I sail), have the transom off first and step the mast, and then move the bow off the dock so you can work on the clew.
Merrily
Administrator
49208 said:
Yeah, tried that, got a hole in the bottom of the boat when a big shifted gust picked boat and dolly up and slammed it down. It was all we could do to keep said items from being blown into the water. When it's breezy my clew is only attached while on the water now.
Merrily said:
This is advice I could have used yesterday.
The tree leaves were flipped to the pale side and bigger branches were moving in a sort of boiling motion, but it wasn't steady. I rigged the boat in manageable steps during lulls, but once everything was together, I was out of my league. (I got the boat last Thursday and am in the process of teaching myself to sail.) I persevered for about half an hour until I blew a tack (mainsheet caught the corner of the transom), flipped the boat, and buried the mast in the mud. Oops. I gotta say, though, before I flipped the boat... dang. It can really move. Whee! (At my current skill level, Whee! is generally followed by Splat! or sometimes Bonk! though I am getting better at ducking.)
Merrily
Administrator
teep said:
teep, welcome to the forum. Yeah, I've buried the mast in the mud twice so far this year. I also know about the "Whee, Splat, or Bonk!" sequence.
I see you are in mid-Pennsylvania. Do you know what district you are in? I'm secretary of district 18, which includes western PA. Where do you sail?
49208
Tentmaker
Merrily said:
No offense intended, but when that happened to you, your boat was not into the wind. I can understand your hesitation to want to avoid repeating that episode again, but when rigged into the wind as Tracy outlined and launching as soon as it's rigged, I find this to be much easier and safer in winds above 8 knots for both experienced and beginning sailors alike. I've seen too many people have the boom fall off the gooseneck, get bonked in the head and/or capsize when trying to tie the clew on while the boat is in the water in winds over 8 knots.
Merrily
Administrator
49208 said:
Yeah, it wasn't into the wind because it was a 40 degree shifted gust. Not everyone has a dock that will accommodate what you are describing, either. I've been to a number of clubs where they have to lift the hull over a sea wall and launch immediately from a narrow dock. You have to make do with what you have.
Michelle
New Member
I'm fortunate to launch from a facility with a row of trees to rig behind that do an excellent job of blocking the wind. It also has a wide enough ramp that you can usually roll your boat down and launch at an angle to avoid backing up dead downwind. I like FishingMickey's suggestion; that could work well especially where you have shallow water to stand in to pull the main on.
I remember a few years ago when I first got my Laser and was getting back into sailing as an adult; I couldn't step my full rig mast myself even in 10 knots. I had half of a junior sailing class helping me step one day; we looked like that picture of the flag being raised by all the soldiers in Iwo Jima.
I remember a few years ago when I first got my Laser and was getting back into sailing as an adult; I couldn't step my full rig mast myself even in 10 knots. I had half of a junior sailing class helping me step one day; we looked like that picture of the flag being raised by all the soldiers in Iwo Jima.
We used to sail regularly in 20+ knots, and had the luxury of rigging the boat on its side, hull to windwards, centreboard on the mast-top as a little bit of ballast.
Another alternative is to get it all rigged as best you can, leave only enough vang on to stop the boom from jumping off its mast pin (as it allows the leech to twist and spill the gusty bits while the boat sits there), and run your mainsheet only as you are launching... and mind your head! The less restriction on your sail and boom's movement while it's sitting idle reduces the tendancy for the thing to fall over.
Keeping in mind that my outhaul was a very pedestrian arrangement, so rigging it was a fairly quick process: mast and sail up, boom to mast, outhaul, vang, clew tie-down, cunningham, and like I said, mainsheet one I was on the water.... these were the basics we worked by - and we had at best 20-30 boats sitting side-by-side on the shore (a sudden windshift could make the line-up interesting though....)
Another alternative is to get it all rigged as best you can, leave only enough vang on to stop the boom from jumping off its mast pin (as it allows the leech to twist and spill the gusty bits while the boat sits there), and run your mainsheet only as you are launching... and mind your head! The less restriction on your sail and boom's movement while it's sitting idle reduces the tendancy for the thing to fall over.
Keeping in mind that my outhaul was a very pedestrian arrangement, so rigging it was a fairly quick process: mast and sail up, boom to mast, outhaul, vang, clew tie-down, cunningham, and like I said, mainsheet one I was on the water.... these were the basics we worked by - and we had at best 20-30 boats sitting side-by-side on the shore (a sudden windshift could make the line-up interesting though....)
I beach launch from a dolly but before: I attach the rudder/tiller and place daggerboard on boat. Then I assemble mast, rig sail, attach boom, clew, vang, out-haul, and cunningham all flat on the ground before picking it up, head to wind, and putting on boat then finishing off the outhaul and cunningham on the deck. All that is left is the mainsheet and traveler. With the vang on, the pressure from the boom creates a single unit that is easy to handle even in high wind and saves wear and tear on sail and self. Launch and go have fun.
torrid
Just sailing
I haven't seen this one mentioned. A few years ago before the new rigging rules, all the Laser studs would rig up mast, boom, sail and lines with everything lying flat on the ground. They would pick the whole assembly up, drop the mast in step, and attach the lines to the boat. I was told this was easier in high winds than trying to step just the mast itself. Apparently with the boom attached, you can work the rig like a windsurf sail to maintain control of it in a breeze.
This never worked for me. Probably because 1) I am not a Laser stud and 2) I don't know the first thing about windsurfing. I haven't really seenn people rigging their boats like this since the new rules came into effect.
EDIT: Oops, just read Ayeten's post.
This never worked for me. Probably because 1) I am not a Laser stud and 2) I don't know the first thing about windsurfing. I haven't really seenn people rigging their boats like this since the new rules came into effect.
EDIT: Oops, just read Ayeten's post.
Hey Torrid: I am neither a)Laser stud nor B)a windsurfer. Actually, I've been on a Laser only a couple of months. I was lucky enough to have this rigging style demonstrated by a veteran Laser sailor my third time out when the wind was really hootin'! It has reallly saved a lot of time and wear and tear. Mother nature doesn't care about the new rules. Ya gotta get the boat safely in the water first and this seems to be a good solution. Try it again when the wind is light.