A good night to be at home in a warm bed.

[tjr818]

The crew here seems to be enjoying this:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2017/ ... n-a-storm/

[Sea Hunt Video]

Interesting video. Thanks Tim.

I know this video was shot from the bridge of a presumably large cargo container. Applause to the videographer. He had a pretty steady hand. With my lack of sailing experience and skills I would never dream of being in a small sailboat on such an ocean. However, I am interested in how one would deal with this situation.

Given the sea conditions shown in the video would it even be possible to "heave to" in such high seas If not, are there any other techniques that could be employed to increase the survival factor I am not sure that a "sea anchor" or drogue would be of much use but I know very little.

[Capt Hook]

I was thinking pucker factor.

[mgphl52]

Roberto, I was pondering the same thing... but I'm in no hurry to test any suggestions...

[Sea Hunt Video]

Mike, I am disappointed. I was hoping you would volunteer

[Neil Gordon]

Roberto,

Take the sails down/off, remove the dodger, stow everything that can blow around or blow away. Lash the tiller. Let the boat lie ahull and bob like a cork. Stow yourself snugly below in a buttoned up cabin and slowly sip single malt until the storm stops. Odds are fairly high the boat survives quite nicely. (The boat can take way more than the rest of us!)

[mgphl52]

... slowly sip single malt until the storm stops...

And I'd suggest using a sippy-cup so you don't spill any while being tossed about...

[Neil Gordon]

And I'd suggest using a sippy-cup so you don't spill any while being tossed about...

One reason I favor boxed wine on board is that there's no glass to break. The box also stows in way less space than equivalent bottles, or, more accurately, I can stow more wine in the same space! Lastly, because there's no air in the plastic pouch, shelf life may actually be infinite (although I've never tested it nearly that long).

[Steve Laume]

Interesting video. Thanks Tim.

I know this video was shot from the bridge of a presumably large cargo container. Applause to the videographer. He had a pretty steady hand. With my lack of sailing experience and skills I would never dream of being in a small sailboat on such an ocean. However, I am interested in how one would deal with this situation.

Given the sea conditions shown in the video would it even be possible to "heave to" in such high seas If not, are there any other techniques that could be employed to increase the survival factor I am not sure that a "sea anchor" or drogue would be of much use but I know very little.

The best way to deal with that situation would be to stay out of it. Seriously, a storm like that doesn't just pop up out of no where. Unless you are doing a multi week passage (even then) there is really no excuse to get yourself into that.

If you plan to lie a hull I would also plan to be rolled. A couple of those waves were big step and breaking. You could pretty much count on going over. I believe this is a situation beyond heaving to and is where the use of a drogue would come into play. You just don't want to be there. You need to avoid something like this by carefully watching the weather and studying the pilot charts for the area and season you plan to sail in.

Once you are in the middle of that, there is no good strategy as far as I know, Steve.

[Neil Gordon]

>>A couple of those waves were big step and breaking.<<

If it makes you feel safer, know that super-sized ships are at significant risk in big storms with steep waves. If the ends are lifted and there's no water under the middle, they snap in half. Same thing if they're lifted in the middle and the ends aren't supported. That's not going to happen to a Cape Dory 28.

Steve's right that there's no good strategy, but I suppose in any challenging condition, you do the best you can. If you have a choice between a bad strategy and a worse strategy, which would you pick?

[Steve Laume]

The most seaworthy vessel in the world is a cork.

Part of the strategy would require planning ahead. Good engine mounts and batteries securely tied down would immediately come to mind. Raven also has tie downs for all her cupboards. Wedging other heavy objects in where they could do the least damage would also be part of the preparation. I would just plan on getting rolled, at some point, in something like that, Steve.

[Neil Gordon]

Steve,

The best advice I've seen in that regard is "picture your boat upside down, and secure things accordingly."

I'd add that you should picture your boat in 90 degree increments, i.e., ...

what happens if you're knocked down, for instance, to you, the contents of your lockers, overboard discharges (that can become siphons), batteries, etc.

what happens if you're inverted, to things you thought were lashed on deck, like fuel and water containers, to knives, pots, etc., that are now flying through the cabin trying to kill you, to batteries that if they're still in their boxes are spilling acid... not to mention the head and holding tank. And yes, the motor, fuel tank, etc., etc.

[John Stone]

The video indicated north of the U.K. in Dec. That's some of the worst wx you could possibly find. No reason to be there in a small boat that time of year. One screaming low pressure system after another at those lattitudes. Near on a death wish.

I agree with Steve, lie a hull could be very dangerous. High probability of getting rolled. I'd think seas and wind like that requires a strategy of heaving to with a small drogue sea anchor or running off, if you have the sea room, while towing a Jordan series drogue. Scary big seas.