I've been sailing the Laser for less than three months now -so just about everything is new .. and still exciting for me.
Yesterday was the harshest wind I've been in yet. The sailboarder dudes said it was a steady 30kts with one gust at 44. I managed not to die, managed not to capsize, managed not to break the boat. I did the same thing that the sailboarders were doing ... going from shore to shore on blazing reaches.
I had some problems though ... I could barely tack. I had the downhaul very tight and the outhaul tight too with no vang. What is the key to tacking in heavy winds? Im 6'2, 220 lbs.
Had a tough time hiking .. because the waves kept on breaking over the boat.
The bailers bailed too slow ... couldnt keep up with the waves breaking on the boat .. or the boat plowing through waves.
It was tough comming about ... stalled alot and got pushed around by the waves. Didnt try gybing .. would that have been easier?
Even on broad reaches I had some luffing ... which Ive never had in the calmer winds. How do I control that?
The telltales were all over the place .. are they much use in stiff wind?
Does having a wind vane even matter in that wind? ... downwind it just spun crazy ... and upwind it was pretty erratic.
Whats it mean when you cant feel any resistance in the tiller .. yes the rudder was connected and deployed. I happened when going over waves on reaches and a lot when going down wind.
On landing we tie the boat to a mooring ... walk on shore, get the dolly ... then come back to the mooring and load the boat. Even with the boom off the mast with her pointed into the wind .. the winds kept on capsizing the boat at the mooring. I said 'hell with it' and just kept her capsized while I got the dolly. Problem is that so much luffing I lost a batten when she went over.
And those damned sailboarders ... they must get the biggest kick out of flying 10 feet from the boat at twice your speed or flying over waves right in front of you. At least I dont have to jump out of the boat to turn around like many of them did.
Bill
Yesterday was the harshest wind I've been in yet. The sailboarder dudes said it was a steady 30kts with one gust at 44. I managed not to die, managed not to capsize, managed not to break the boat. I did the same thing that the sailboarders were doing ... going from shore to shore on blazing reaches.
I had some problems though ... I could barely tack. I had the downhaul very tight and the outhaul tight too with no vang. What is the key to tacking in heavy winds? Im 6'2, 220 lbs.
Had a tough time hiking .. because the waves kept on breaking over the boat.
The bailers bailed too slow ... couldnt keep up with the waves breaking on the boat .. or the boat plowing through waves.
It was tough comming about ... stalled alot and got pushed around by the waves. Didnt try gybing .. would that have been easier?
Even on broad reaches I had some luffing ... which Ive never had in the calmer winds. How do I control that?
The telltales were all over the place .. are they much use in stiff wind?
Does having a wind vane even matter in that wind? ... downwind it just spun crazy ... and upwind it was pretty erratic.
Whats it mean when you cant feel any resistance in the tiller .. yes the rudder was connected and deployed. I happened when going over waves on reaches and a lot when going down wind.
On landing we tie the boat to a mooring ... walk on shore, get the dolly ... then come back to the mooring and load the boat. Even with the boom off the mast with her pointed into the wind .. the winds kept on capsizing the boat at the mooring. I said 'hell with it' and just kept her capsized while I got the dolly. Problem is that so much luffing I lost a batten when she went over.
And those damned sailboarders ... they must get the biggest kick out of flying 10 feet from the boat at twice your speed or flying over waves right in front of you. At least I dont have to jump out of the boat to turn around like many of them did.
Bill