Question 1

Before entering heavy weather, what actions should a skipper take to prepare the vessel?

Accepted Answer

Reef early; secure loose gear throughout; close hatches and seacocks; brief crew; check engine and bilge pumps; wear lifejackets and harnesses on deck.. Heavy weather preparation: DECK, reef early (before you need to); secure all loose gear; close all hatches/companionway; brief crew on watches, seasickness, emergency procedures. BELOW, secure everything; close all seacocks not in use; check bilge level; secure lockers. CREW, lifejackets and harnesses readily accessible; crew clipped on deck; check all are well. ENGINE, check fuel, cooling water, bilge pump. Navigation, fix position, identify safe havens.

Question 2

What is 'lying a-hull' and why is it generally considered dangerous in severe conditions?

Accepted Answer

Drifting beam-on to the sea with sails lowered, exposing the vessel to knockdown or capsize when breaking crests strike the beam.. Lying a-hull means drifting with sails lowered and no active steering, typically with the helm secured. The vessel may settle roughly beam-on to the seas, although its attitude depends on its design and the conditions. This exposes it to knockdown or capsize from breaking waves striking the beam. Alternative heavy weather tactics include heaving to, running off under suitable reduced sail or bare poles, streaming a drogue astern to limit speed and help keep the stern towards the seas, or deploying a sea anchor from the bow to help keep the bow towards the seas. The appropriate tactic depends on the vessel, equipment, sea room and conditions.

Question 3

A vessel is hove to. Describe what this means and when it is used.

Accepted Answer

Backed headsail, sheeted-in main and adjusted helm balance her, with slight forward and leeward drift; used for bad weather, repairs or crew rest.. HEAVING TO: a sailing vessel is hove to by tacking without releasing the headsail (the headsail is backed, windward side). Helm is put to leeward. The boat finds a balanced attitude, the backed headsail pushes the bow away from wind, the helm and main bring it back, resulting in a slow fore-reaching with minimal leeway. The boat creates a slick to windward that smooths the approaching waves. Extremely useful tactic for waiting, eating, making repairs, surviving heavy weather.

Heavy Weather, questions and explanations

Before entering heavy weather, what actions should a skipper take to prepare the vessel?

What is 'lying a-hull' and why is it generally considered dangerous in severe conditions?

A vessel is hove to. Describe what this means and when it is used.

Practise this properly

Heavy Weather, questions and explanations

Questions

Before entering heavy weather, what actions should a skipper take to prepare the vessel?

What is 'lying a-hull' and why is it generally considered dangerous in severe conditions?

A vessel is hove to. Describe what this means and when it is used.

Practise this properly