[Public-List] Sailing technique

[Kris Coward]

Once you get enough heel, trying to steer down stops meaning "downwind".
Whether by sheet or halyard (I prefer sheet since it's easier to undo
once out of the gust), you've got to let the main loose if you want to
regain control of the boat. Ignore the J-30 captain.

Cheers,
Kris

On Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 02:20:33PM -0400, Jonathan Budington wrote:
> 
> I was sailing in the Bay yesterday afternoon - nice breeze of about 12
> knots.  We were heading south towards Annapolis when I noticed the boat
> ahead of us was knocked down.  Before I could reduce sail (no reef and
> the full genoa out), we were hit by a 24 knot gust.  The boat healed (as
> it usually does), and wanted to head up.  I pulled hard on the tiller
> and headed down until the gust subsided.  My wife lost her drink (and
> composure), and my 5 kids were yelling "do that again".  I think we
> reached a heal angle of 32 degrees - the leeward rail was well under
> water.  My questions are:
> 	
> How far can an Alberg heel over before steering is lost?
> 
> Is heading down the right course of action? (I was told to leave the
> sheets alone by a J-30 captain - just head off hard).
> 
> Jon Budington
> Nimble  
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-- 
Kris Coward					http://unripe.melon.org/
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