CD30 Heave-to Experiences

[Kevin LeMans]

I'm interested in hearing about people's experiences heaving-to in their CD30's - preferably in gale-force winds and higher. Sail plan/reef point combinations, helm position, combined with para-anchors, etc. Thanks!



lemans@gte.net

[Gerry/Barracuda]

Also any in their CD 25's. Thanks.

[s/v lefty cd25 #4]

I find lefty will heave to in half a gale with the main reefed and no jib, and in a whole gale with the main double reefed and no jib. My sails may have the reef points different places from yours, the single is very deep, so maybe the double is really a triple. In any case, if I need to tack in high winds and waves, I do need to use a jib.



douglas_rock@hotmail.com

[Patrick Turner]

I have not had to heave-to in gale force conditons, but I have done so in about 25knts with the wind against the current....very messy seas. It did just fine. I believe all the Cape Dory boats will heavy-to well either with a head sail and main combination or with just the main. The difference between the two is how it places your boat realative to the oncoming seas. With just the main you tend to point a little higher into the wind and if the seas are coming from that direction....then that's good. With the stays'l and main together the boat tends to sit a little broader to the wind and often times you will find that the swells are also coming from a slightly different angle then the wind. So, you can use either method depending on the conditions.

Pat

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Captains,

if you are properly "Hove to" with just the main alone flying? I think not, you are just sailing very close to the wind, and the problem would be that you could unexpectly tack, concerning the crew, with busted heads and broken limbs! I believe the point of heaving to, is to have the main head the boat up, and the backed jib to cause her to fall off. All of this at a slow enough rate to maintain steerage way.

Other Captains?????Concur or not??????????Ideas or discussion..........

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA #1

[Ed Haley]

You are essentially correct, Captain Stump. The hove-to setup is akin to simultaneously telling your boat to "Go ahead, Back up." It usually surprises the crew how quiet it becomes when done correctly.



eghaley@twcny.rr.com

[Patrick Turner]

Heaving-to works with just the main up as well. The cutaway forefoot of the Cape Dory boats tends to allow the bow of the boat to be pushed around with less lateral resistance then the rest of the boat, so even though you might only have the main up, as long as the main is setup correctly, the bow of the boat should still blow off and then the main should kick back in to try and push the nose up into the wind a bit.

Pat



patrick.t@attbi.com

[Kevin LeMans]

What I have read in the meantime is that your sail plan affects how close you will stand to the wind. The backed jib or staysail will cause you to bear off more. However, if wind and swell come from the same direction, this may be less comfortable than under main alone where you are pointed higher.

Larry Pardey talks about using a variety of sail plans for heaving to. He also discusses using either a deeply reefed main or a storm trysail in conjunction with a para-anchor. Interesting stuff.

I've been surprised by the lack of responses on this subject.



lemans@gte.net