Hi Sailors!
The Sailing Roundup brings you the latest in sailing news, trends, gear, events, and training. Every other week (when we’re not sailing) we’ll send a curated list and analysis by Teresa & Ben Carey. Instead of sifting through a ton of articles and videos each week – let us do the work for you.
A second reef tucked offshore in a near gale.
Editorial:
The article in the Skills and Seamanship section below about Reefing Downwind caught my eye. What Rupert Holmes about the simplicity of reefing with the wind aft of the beam reminds me of an article I wrote about lines led aft.
I’ve had the good fortune to sail aboard a wide variety of boats from 7′ dinghies to 180′ square riggers. Aboard traditionally rigged schooners with simple block and tackle, a small crew could move a lot of heavy things: anchors, canons, fishing dories, wooden gaffs, topmasts, booms, etc. We used friction to our advantage when belaying or surging, and we reduced friction as much as possible when hauling or striking a sail.
Elizabeth, my former 28ft cutter was rigged simply, and so is our current boat, Rocinante. What Teresa and I enjoy most about sailing these boats is the ease with which their sails go up, come down, and reef. Because it’s so easy, we don’t hesitate to reef when we need too. We can reef often and we reef early. There is no hemming and hawing over the question: to reef or not to reef. If the thought crosses our mind, then we reef – long before conditions get too hairy.
I’ve heard many accounts of owners performing the ‘all lines led aft’ upgrade. The belief is that lines led to the cockpit make sailing safer and easier. Having all the lines led to your fingertips allows you to remain safe under your dodger or bimini while staying dry and in control.
Far more dangerous than leaving the cockpit is not being able to feel the wind on your face or quickly and efficiently drop or reef sails. I think the running rigging complexities (lines led aft, in-mast furling, etc.) found aboard many sailboats actually contribute to the difficulties and fear of sailing in rough weather. It is a fact that the more turns and bends a line must make, the more friction is introduced into the system, and this fact alone makes lowering sails more difficult.
I have yet to sail aboard a boat with lines led aft that did not, at some point when efficiency is paramount, force me to leave the cockpit, deal with a snag, overhaul some slack, or re-lead a fouled line. Inevitably this occurs during the worst conditions, completely negating the number one reason the lines were led aft. Furthermore, the sailor who is not accustomed to getting out from behind the dodger while underway will be unrehearsed for the foredeck dance when the squall’s sinister song plays.
Like Rupert Holmes, who prefers keeping his crew comfortable and safe, aboard Rocinante, we reef the mains’l on any point of sail, which often means downwind or on a broad reach. No problem for a slab reefing mains’l. But for an in-mast furling mains’l, I’ve found that you have to head up and relieve the pressure on the sail to roll it in. The last thing I want to do in 8-10’ seas and 35kt winds is head upwind to flog the mains’l, pitch and roll in the waves, and get soaked. Our simple reefing system allows us to reef anytime, on any point of sail, and it usually takes about 2 minutes to secure an effective, good-looking, tidy reef.
A version of the article was published in SAIL Magazine.
~ Ben
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From Morse Alpha:
Winter Webinar Series 2022
We’ve got our Head Up: A Webinar Series for Women and NB starting in January. This popular webinar series covers alot of territory including: VHF; Sail Theory; Docking & Anchoring; Navigation, Tides and Currents; Watchstanding; and of course Happy Hour! Sign up at our website.Podcast Ep 14: Offshore Sailing: Outfitting for Blue Water Sailing
In this episode we’re discussing considerations for offshore sailing with regards to gear and design choices. Guests are Pam Wall and Barry Kennedy, both bluewater sailors with thousands of miles under their keels.2 Berths Available on Newfoundland to Maine Leg
We’re booking up fast. Don’t miss this opportunity to get 850nm of offshore sailing in the North Atlantic! Whales and Icebergs anybody? Check our site for details.
Now for the best of the web...
News:
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Skills & Seamanship:
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Gear & Equipment:
I really miss being at the Paris boat show...
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Opinion:
Should a Woman Be Required?
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