[Cap'n Dave's log]
Hi! Everyone:
We left Great Sale Cay this morning bound for Fox Town, about 25 miles away, but before we could get half way there the winds had built to 28 knots and the waves on the Sea of Abaco were an erratic 4-6 feet. Raven sailed close hauled all morning with the main double-reefed and the head sail rolled in. The staysail was out to keep us moving as we fought our way into the wind. Raven’s cabin floor was covered with anything that wasn’t nailed down. We couldn’t open the door to the head even if we could have reached it. And so … we turned around and ran before the wind under staysail alone, back to Great Sale Cay.
Here are today’s lessons:
1) Never, never leave safe harbor without the latest weather forecast. I failed to set an alarm for the NOAA forecast at 0530 and so slept through it. I had the forecast from 2330 the previous night, but something changed overnight. I tuned into the 1130 forecast, which came in loud and clear on shortwave until someone started a data transmission right as the reader got to our section of ocean. By then, we were two forecasts behind. I tuned in again for the 1730 forecast at 1750, intentionally missing two northern regions usually read before our region, except NOAA changed the order of things and our region had already been read. By then we were three forecasts behind, but safely tucked into Northwest Harbour
2) Learn to make Raven go to weather in reasonable comfort in a blow. The main was double-reefed with the staysail fully out. This was clearly too much canvas for the 20-25 knot breeze, causing too much heeling and weather helm. The wind vane couldn’t cope, nor should it have been able to with such an unbalanced helm. After dousing the mainsail, Raven rode more upright but couldn’t go to weather. We sailed back and forth along reciprocal courses, losing way to wind and current. In other words we were going backwards.
This problem was solved the next day. In a good blow Raven goes to weather nicely with (Yankee cut) jib and staysail set. The main stayed under wraps. With this combination, Raven was able to boil along at 6-7 knots at about 60 degrees to the (apparent) wind. The helm was balanced and the wind vane kept us on track.
This problem was solved the next day. In a good blow Raven goes to weather nicely with (Yankee cut) jib and staysail set. The main stayed under wraps. With this combination, Raven was able to boil along at 6-7 knots at about 60 degrees to the (apparent) wind. The helm was balanced and the wind vane kept us on track.
3) Biminis are incompatible with sailing. I cannot see the mainsail shape or the leech telltales to trim the sail. I cannot reach reefing lines when they jam. I cannot tie gaskets onto a reefed main. I cannot see the jib or staysail telltales or see the flutter along the leeches or the distance of the sails from the spreaders.
4) The diesel and water jugs and propane cylinders on the side decks were inadequately tied. The rail is too high. Their bases slid inwards, they lay on their sides, then tried to slide overboard. The rail is OK but another, low down is needed. Alternatively, a rope might work, so long as it doesn’t ride under the jugs.
5) Below deck, stow everything like we mean it. Assume at least 30° heel and a bumpy ride. Remember to pin the settee seats.
6) Tie down the anchors so they cannot unship.
7) Keep cockpit seats and floor free of anything that’s not attached: folding chairs, ropes, shoes, boxes, cans, etc. Also, keep cabin roof (winches) clear of similar clutter. These are work areas. Handling of the ship and personal safety are compromised by clutter.
8) Safety harnesses hinder as much as they help. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. I have no solution to this right now.
9) The wind vane needs some new shock cord on the adjustment wheel, which slipped as the vane pendulum banged against the stops.
Following these rules, the next day’s sail from Great Sale Cay to Crab Cay was one of the best ever. Belowdeck was tidy and a refuge from the wind when one of us needed a break. The seas were less confused than the day before, but they were far from flat. When moving along at a good clip, Raven shoulders waves aside very nicely and gives us a comfortable, fast ride.
We live and learn, hopefully.
Best regards,
Captain Dave
3 comments:
Wonderful description of heading upwind in too much of a blow, and a great to-do list. You have also expanded my sailing vocabulary, chiefly acquired while reading Hank Serls's Overboard in my late 30s and, a decade later, while learning to sail on the Charles River and in Boston Harbor in a 13-foot Mercury.
Jane Elioseff
Houston
Dave:
When you were sailing up wind with just the Staysail and Yankee, did you reef down the Yankee at all?
Do you think that a third reef point in the main would have helped?
I am enjoying reading about your adventures. Still snow and ice up here. john Danicic
CD 36 Mariah #124
Lake Superior
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