Sailing with a big swell.

[Michael Bradshaw]

Went out in 30 knots with a 1.5 - 2.0 metre swell yesterday. Was out for 5 minutes and had to turn back. The size of the waves was making it very difficult to control even though we were slicing through them easily. Have sailed mono's in these conditions but not a cat. Any ideas or tips on how best to handle these conditions. My crew is only very new to any type of sailing and though he tried hard, this certainly did not help. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Emmessee]

Use way more mast rake than you usually would, use as little downhaul as you can get away with to keep as much power in the sail as possible. In a strong breeze this is hard as you like to crank the crap out of it, but use just enough. I would rather drop the traveller a couple of inches and keep the downhaul a little looser than I'd like. Stand with the crew having a foot each side of the sidestay and you should be well balanced now.

[shalves]

more rake

less rotation

raise jib

traveller down

luff tensions on hard

need to ease leech tension

sail boat flat

be accurate in steering no need to try to point sail flat.

be positive and agressive in boat handleing handle the boat not the boat handle you.

[cdean]

I would say that 30 knots is two much for most cat sailors to do anything than survive.

You should get used to the boat first in lighter winds before going out in these conditions.

[berny]

I agree that 54kph is way too much wind to deal with unless you're very experienced. I'd not go out in that sort of wind unless it was absolutely necessary. Too easy to break something, boat or body.

Bern

[Village Idiot]

Originally posted by berny:

I agree that 54kph is way too much wind to deal with unless you're very experienced. I'd not go out in that sort of wind unless it was absolutely necessary. Too easy to break something, boat or body.

Bern

yeh I was thinking the same!!!