Heaving-to

[John Stone]

That sounds reasonable. Carry a small block and tackle and find a convenient point on deck to secure it to and pull the stays'l to windward.

As long as you have reasonable balance, and don't have some kind of physical disability, moving to the foredeck does not have to be death defying. It seems to be a common refrain these days that one has to be able to do everything from the cockpit so you can avoid going forward. I don't really understand this view. Stay on the high side. Crawl on your hands and knees if you have to. There are all kinds of grab rails to hold onto. Or perhaps, as the wx begins to show signs of deteriorating, rig lines to the clew of the stays'l that allows you to pull it to windward while remaining in the cockpit. There are ways to do it that will meet your needs. But first, find out how to get your boat to heave-to before you make any changes.

[Neil Gordon]

>> It seems to be a common refrain these days that one has to be able to do everything from the cockpit so you can avoid going forward.<<

Convenient, I suppose, and especially when sailing alone, but sooner or later you end up needing to leave the cockpit anyway, to clear a snagged line or for whatever. The more time you spend forward, the better you know where to step, where to hold on, etc., etc. Ultimately, it might be safer overall. (That said, I wouldn't trade the furler for a hanked on Genoa.)

[John Stone]

Hard to argue with that Neil. I like my hank on jib, though I'd never rule out a furler.

[Vincent]

When i sailed 505's, we hove to often. Most of the time it was in heavier air in between races. I use the technique on my 33 when single handing on the Chesapeake. I think it is wise to get comfortable learning how to do it. Even with my wife on board I will heave to if we need a break. It is easier to fix lunch or use the head when not slamming around. Like John Stone, in a perfect world, I would have both a drogue (Jordan), and a sea anchor. And while I have sailed offshore in pretty heavy air, I am without experience with either system. All my time offshore was with racing crews, and we were always pushing the boat. But I would certainly practice first in moderate air to make sure the system was bullet proof.

[Jim Walsh]

David
Club footed headsails have vertues . . . and lots of sailors love them.

I don't see why you can't use your stays'l. You can have a reefable stays'l too. I think you are correct about not backwinding your yankee across the forestay. I would think it's much better to let it pass through and then winch it back as a back winded sail. What does Jim do?

Best
John

I an earlier post I said "I've practiced heaving-to, but never used it in anger". What I meant was that I only use the technique in relatively light winds and small seas. Under those conditions, and for the short period of time I've done it, I just left the staysail to its own devices and allowed the yankee to chafe against the staysail stay. I would not do it in heavy seas or air unless forced to and I'd probably roll up the yankee and rig a preventer to my staysail boom to keep it to windward and under control.
While the subject of anchors, chain, and shackles has been breached I'll just add that I pay a premium for premium gear when it may save my life.

[Steve Laume]

While the subject of anchors, chain, and shackles has been breached I'll just add that I pay a premium for premium gear when it may save my life.

There is quote I keep in mind while woodworking and while still having all my fingers.

"Safety is a matter of self respect".

There are also those times when you go to start the saw and the set up just seems a bit dodgy. If things don't feel quite right then it is time to do something different. I think this also applies to sailing, Steve.

[Steve Laume]

Has anyone come up with a good way to rig a preventer to the staysail boom? I put a bail on the end a long time ago with the idea that I could rig a preventer to it. There is no way to get an angle towards the bow that will control the boom from an end bail. I still use the bail to lash the boom to the forward lower shroud so I left it there. I still haven't rigged anything to work as a preventer or be able to back wind the staysail. It seems like it would need to be a mid boom arrangement, Steve.

[Capt Hook]

I will now get off my soapbox and sit quietly on the dock of this thread, sip a Guinness,

Hey, Roberto, I believe we all want what is best for our boats, regardless of state of origin, and the science does support your caution about Chinese made anchor shackles. I am glad, however, that your passion has not turned to obsession, as I noticed a positive reference to a non-USA made beverage. Long live Irish breweries!

John, thank you for your detailed response. Unfortunately (?), I still use the self-tending club foot on my staysail, so employing my jib is my only option for heaving-to. I am a bit concerned about laying the backwinded yankee hard against the staysail stay as I heave-to and wonder about the risk of chaffing damage to the sail. Not sure if allowing the yankee to pass thru the slot first, and then hauling on the windward sheet, is as effective in heaving-to. Jim?

David

David,

I think Roberto thinks single handed sailing is when you have a Guiness in one hand.

[Sea Hunt Video]

There are also those times when you go to start the saw and the set up just seems a bit dodgy. If things don't feel quite right then it is time to do something different. I think this also applies to sailing, Steve.

Steve:

Very true. I learned a long time ago unless it involves a critical mission or assignment, if your gut tells you don't go then you don't go. In diving, especially technical diving, there is the simple expression "any diver can call a dive at any time for any reason; no questions asked; period". It's a simple way of conveying to other team divers (especially the nubbies) that safety is the first priority and no one goes unless everyone is comfortable with everything. I have done it more than once. I do not know what would have happened had I ignored my gut and done the dive. I do know I am writing this post and I have successfully returned from a few thousand dives.

My sailing skills are minimal at best with a real lack of experience and judgment in terms of "go/no go" scenarios. If I have the slightest doubt about conditions, incoming weather, etc. I do NOT go. I open my Guinness (yes, with one hand David M. ) and dream a few dreams.

[Sea Hunt Video]

David (and all):

This post has nothing to do with "heaving to". I apologize in advance. It does have to do with anchor shackles, etc., previously commented on in this thread and used for drogues, sea anchors, etc.

A while back our sailing club installed a brand new anchoring system. They literally tore up the old weights, chains, shackles, etc. and completely reinstalled a brand new system.

I elected to take home with me a few pieces of the now discarded system, including two of the very large shackles used to attach the mooring chain to the large cement block or train wheel or whatever else was used that was bedded into the sea bottom.

Today, after months of it sitting in the garage, out of curiosity I inspected one of the shackles. To my surprise, and dismay, clearly stamped on one of the shackles were the letters "CHINA". I was admittedly shocked. This is exactly the kind of shackle that Practical Sailor warns us to stay away from.

I am hopeful that the co. that installed the new system in our mooring field was concerned enough about safety to install "U.S. MADE" shackles.

I wish all Cape Dorians, their families and friends a Safe, Prosperous and Happy New Year

[tjr818]

David (and all): . . . I am hopeful that the co. that installed the new system in our mooring field was concerned enough about safety to install "U.S. MADE" shackles. . . .

Looks like its time to put on the wet suit and check that out. Hopefully the fact that the old ones were made in China is the reason that the club replaced them.

Happy new year to all!

[mgphl52]

As a Devil's advocate... do you know how many years the prior 'sub-standard(?)' tackle has been in service without failure?

[John Stone]

I think the issue is that it's a crap-shoot. Those made in Asia are inconsistent in quality--might last a long time--but odds are against it won't.

[Sea Hunt Video]

As a Devil's advocate... do you know how many years the prior 'sub-standard(?)' tackle has been in service without failure?

Michael:

I do not know the answer to that question. I have been a member of the sailing club for about 9 years. The mooring chains, shackles, etc. were not changed or upgraded for at least 10 years; from what I have observed probably many years before that. As stated earlier the entire mooring system was removed and replaced with "auger style" anchors, chains, pendants, etc. Sailboats are now so close to each other that you can "walk" from one sailboat to the next.

I think John S. states it succinctly and accurately - "it's a crap shoot". You may luck out with a quality shackle or chain. You may also get a piece of garbage. In my mind given the value and care and love we give to our Cape Dory sailboats it seems ill advised to try to save money on things like anchors, chain, shackles, etc. I am all for saving "boat units" (Mr. Vigor's term) when it comes to non-mission critical items - heads, fenders, rail mounted BBQs, cabin reading lights, a generic beer instead of Guinness (blasphemy ; may the Irish Saints forgive me ), etc. On mission critical gear I want the best money can buy. Period. "U.S. Made" is, today, the best money can buy. http://www.thecrosbygroup.com/products/

I wish all Cape Dorians, their families and friends, a Safe, Prosperous and Happy New Year

[Neil Gordon]

>> non-mission critical items - heads, fenders, rail mounted BBQs, cabin reading lights, a generic beer<<

Okay, one at a time:

Heads - If you're cruising for more than a couple of hours, you know how "mission critical" a quality head is!

Fenders - No problem, because all your $8 Chinese fender does is protect your $$$$$$ boat!

Rail mounted BBQ - You mean the one with the Chinese gas regulator/valve?

Cabin reading lights - Just two words: "Electrical fire."

Generic beer - Fine, if all you ever have are generic guests.