Question 1

When should you reef a sailing vessel?

Accepted Answer

Reef when you first think about it: when in doubt, reef early, before conditions deteriorate.. 'WHEN IN DOUBT, REEF', the fundamental reefing principle. Reef BEFORE conditions deteriorate: it is much easier to reef in moderate conditions than in building seas. A reefed boat sails faster, more safely, and more comfortably than an over-canvassed boat. Signs that reefing is needed: increasing heel, difficulty steering (weather helm), crew discomfort, deteriorating forecast. Never wait until conditions are severe, it may then be dangerous to reef.

Question 2

What is a broach and how can it be prevented?

Accepted Answer

Violent involuntary rounding-up into wind, risking beam-on capsize; prevent by reducing sail, choosing conservative downwind angles, maintaining steerage speed and deploying a drogue.. BROACH: the vessel suddenly and violently rounds up into the wind from a downwind course, often when surfing a wave. The wave overtakes the vessel, the bow buries or the stern lifts, the rudder loses effectiveness, and the vessel spins beam-on. Risk of capsize in the following breaking sea. CAUSES: excessive canvas; surfing too fast; loss of rudder authority. PREVENTION: reduce sail early; use poled-out headsail (more stable than spinnaker); tow drogue to reduce speed; maintain steerage; steer to avoid wave faces. Broaching often occurs while running in heavy weather. The vessel turns beam-on to the sea, increasing the risk of capsize.

Question 3

Why is an uncontrolled gybe dangerous and what precautions should be taken?

Accepted Answer

Violent boom movement can injure or kill crew, damage boom and rigging, and destabilise vessels; use preventers, gybe under control, reef beforehand in strong winds.. An uncontrolled gybe can send the boom across the vessel with tremendous force, causing serious injury or death, damaging the boom and rigging, and destabilising the vessel. Loads can be particularly high in strong winds. Rig a suitably led preventer when appropriate, warn crew and keep them clear of the boom and mainsheet, and maintain careful steering to avoid accidental gybes. For a planned gybe, manage the preventer, bring the mainsail towards the centreline under control, steer through the gybe and ease the mainsheet as the sail fills on the new side. Reduce sail beforehand in strong winds where practicable. Engine assistance may help maintain control in some circumstances, but its suitability depends on the vessel and conditions; ensure lines are clear of the propeller. In heavy weather, consider whether avoiding the gybe and tacking instead is safer.

Sailing, questions and explanations

When should you reef a sailing vessel?

What is a broach and how can it be prevented?

Why is an uncontrolled gybe dangerous and what precautions should be taken?

Practise this properly

Sailing, questions and explanations

Questions

When should you reef a sailing vessel?

What is a broach and how can it be prevented?

Why is an uncontrolled gybe dangerous and what precautions should be taken?

Practise this properly