Based on a lengthy career as a yacht delivery skipper, (though quite a few decades past :>) I might make a couple of suggestions.. Especially when alone on watch, use two straps to hank yourself to the boat, one very short, this will anchor yourself in place and avoid being thrown across the cockpit onto something hard.. like a winch.. the second, a lengthy strap, that if you need to unhank the short strap in order to make some adjustment, will still ensure that you're attached. Using a single strap by knotting and releasing can become tiresome and difficult when tired, wet, cold. Secondly.. reduce watch times progressively and before fatigue sets in.. I've been down to 30 min per watch on a couple of very bad occasions. Fatigue can be a killer in several ways.
@@alexandermenck6609 transact races do not have guidelines on the number of tethers the sailor must have attached (it would be imposible to enforce). Is easy to validate what I say, simply read the rules.
I got distracted by strapping me on. Stopped doing that, crossed Atl. 5 times singlehanded and logged about 50 th. miles. And i am still here to tell the story...
People used to tell me I was crazy for going sailing in bad weather.but my argument was that if you'd practiced in bad weather you wouldn't be surprised when it hit . I once went out rowing in a 40 knot gale in an 8ft Dinghy. I learned as much about rough weather boat handling in an hour than I had in 20 years .
That is s very good point and one we’ve done before. It’s great to take that advantage when you can use a different make and model to on those trips and even offer to those who may not get the opportunity very often. Your right, just keep an eye out for those who lose it though. They will kill themselves trying to save themselves. It happens, but if one is having a confident sail in rough conditions, it can be an exceptional learning experience. Remember, I’m not talking about wild weather conditions where the surface is completely white, just conditions to keep you on your toes and maybe sweat a little.
@@lmack3024 rowed around in big circles to see how the waves affected the boat it was scary and tiring but if I’d capsized I was only a short swim to shore Without The waves I could walk it
Lambertodg..., I'm the same. I think you need to know how a boat handles in rough weather. By avoiding it, you're only asking for trouble. Like you, I was on a lake and close to show. Unlike you though, I was in a modified kayak (converted into a trimaran) that was only 7ft and used 200um builders plastic as my sail.
Strong winds and the north sea showed me my limitations in a matter of seconds- took me 13 hours to battle out of it again. This can be a life saving video, thank you for making it!👍
I have seen a few instructional videos covering this topic but none made things as clear. You covered many of the fearful topics in one logical flow that just makes sense!
Great tips. Any blue water sailor can get caught in 40 knots or more. The first time it happened to me was in a Cat 1 hurricane. It would've great to have already had a little 40 knot experience under my belt. The good thing was that later when I was caught in 30 knots in coastal sailing it was actually fun.
Having been crew in a heavy gale on several occassions I can definitely say that any time you have to go forward is a VERY dangerous situation, and even normally minor issues become life threatening. The bounce of the foredeck combined with everything being wet, cold, and slippery means that you need four hands for the boat (and wish you had prehensile toes). Getting prepared before the weather gets bad, and practicing (like this video suggests) are your best action plan. You can very quickly find yourself having to get onto a foredeck travelling up and down 6-8 ft every few seconds, while trying to untangle a line or worse, pulling in a headsail, with no footing.
In 3 hours of sailing my 4 person Walmart blow-up dingy, the Florida Haulover bested me. 😢 Going to Target tommorrow to pick up a 5 person Pink Flamingo dingy and tender-unicorn dingy (as life-backup).
It''s a good idea to practice, but surprisingly it's not statistically very dangerous to go forward in heavy gales. In the '98 Hobart and '79 Fastnet, for example, no one was lost from the foredeck. In fact I think there's a study somewhere, perhaps from US Sailing, that shows that the mid-deck is the spot where most people are lost from, although that may be because racing bowmen and bowwomen are often chosen for good balance and practise at it. In the Sydney-Hobart race you're required to come past the starting boat before the start with your storm gear all set, to show that it's ready to go. It's a great idea because it means that you're ready with it when things get hairy.
Assent was owned by Willie Ker well before the 79 Fastnet. It was his son Alan who skippered the boat during that race. Assent was the first keel boat I ever sailed on - probably around 1976 - having learned to sail on the same small reservoir where my family met and became friends with Willie. What a legend... Assent is looking good! The last time I saw her was in Victoria BC where I met Willie after he had returned from the Bering Sea; she was looking a little rough!
Comms enthusiast here -- there is a inexpensive option called a Throat Mic which can connect to handheld radios. It also comes with a earpiece so that you can hear what's being said on channel. The idea is to keep your hands free so that you can handle the tiller and lines.
Lot of nice things to say about this video. Besides, it is a relief to actually see an internet video (this may be the first I have seen) done by somebody who speaks the language, almost always using proper terminology. UA-cam is just swamped with self-styled cruising experts who don't even know what a "deck" is. It never ceases to amaze and even to depress me to see such persons who know less about how to talk about a boat than I did when I was 10 years old.
Interesting video. As a former yachtsman I have had my fair share of strong weather. My tactics in 40+ knots would be to heave-to. The Contessa shown would be ideal for this. By the way, I was in a major storm ( “pacific Storm” on UA-cam) with winds in excess of 80Kns and a sea state with over 18 metre swells with breaking tops. Many yachts and a whole family lost. Not far from me was the designer of the Contessa David Sadler. We both sailed the same designed yacht a 10.5M Ganley Shadow. Steel. Both came through with minor damage. Handled this storm hove-to.
Not sure about your comment. I could point you to the relevant Adlard Coles publication that covered my storm experience and tactics. Lots of coverage in books etc. fully verifiable. I have over 45 years sailing in the Southern Ocean and between NZ and the Pacific Islands. I most certainly know about having bullet proof storm sails. Not too sure about your sail knowledge.
That was the Queen’s birthday storm. Congrats that you survived but there is a big part of sheer luck in it. As good as you may be prepared, as good as the yacht is your are sailing on, those where conditions in which you are in the hands of god. BTW running may work on a light displacement boat but a heavy cruiser will knock down sooner or later.
@@alexandermenck6609 My Ganley yacht was designed for the area I sailed in. Dennis (Designer) re-did calculations on steel thickness and its effect on waterline. He agreed with me that I could increase the deck and freeboard thickness by 1mm which would cost me a quarter inch of freeboard. included in his calc's was the addition of extra frames and deck beams. As a, then, volunteer marine radio operator I had over the years communicated with yachtsmen who had problems with issues like deck pumping etc due to lack of support. In the case of the lost yacht and family this was a Whiting 40 with a displacement of approx' ten tonnes. She was fibreglass. Your comment re heavy versus light displacement when running has validity. Fully equipped for a Pacific cruise "Quartermaster"would have clocked in at about 15-17 tonnes. Interestingly a similar design survived but was subject to some major wracking which caused seawater ingress into the accommodation due to port distortion. Quartermaster had one weakness in that she had enlarged ports which reduced the rigidity of the cabin top. Cause of sinking, who knows. She disappeared completely. only the liferaft was recovered. Thanks for your comment.
This is a great idea and I have done this. First, I am a US Sailing instructor that taught a lot in San Francisco, bay and off shore. Well known for strong winds and seas as the norm. But when I bought an Alberg 35 that I was living aboard with my wife, we went up a canal for protection from a category 2 hurricane. After the worst had passed, sustained winds were 40-50. We decided to test the boat, well known for it’s good heavy weather attributes. We were sailing about 12 miles back to home port in the open part of Biscayne Bay. It was tougher than we thought. Part of the issue was the reduced visibility, due to rain. (That we didn’t expect, and this is before chart plotters and GPS). Navigation was pilotage and Ded Reconing. The boat handled the conditions well, with triple reefed main and storm Jib. Always good to practice heavy weather in at least semi controlled conditions as you, and we did.
Excellent video. I've been sailing for 50 years, the last 20 soloing a 57 foot, cold molded, center cockpit cutter designed by Henry Scheel. Every couple of years I would take my boat out in big seas and high winds in the middle of the night, hank on my storm sail, fully reef the main and hove to. I would also lock the rudder and try to steer using a 48" drogue on two winches. I am amazed at the people who I have met that have been caught in bad weather with full sails flying and didnt know how to reef properly and had no storm sails. they should all watch your video...
Having worked (and still work) commercial and patrol vessels, and sailing both yachts and square riggers, with many years working in the Southern and Indian Oceans, one thing I have to say is that old technology works. It's been around forever at sea for a reason. Those basic navigation devices, the paper chart (on deck, you just need a small one in a plastic case), a compass for bearings (I use a set of binos with an inbuilt compass), especially when doing coastal runs. Modern technology is great and make life so easy, but never, ever, ever rely on it! And for comms, rely on your HF/MF. SATCOM will work, but intermittently. As that cloud cover builds, especially if there is electricity in the atmosphere, your INM-C will take a hit. Rely on HF for your long range comms in rough conditions, as although you will hear a lot of ambience, you will still get messages in and out. I really cannot emphasise NBDP (Narrowband Direct Printing) when going outside of 40 degrees N/S. Your equatorial satellites will be way to far away by that point when atmospherics are involved, and while NBDP takes momentary hits, it works in any condition, and they plan for those hits! It works similar to INM-C, especially for modern systems that usually use both INM-C and NBDP on the same screen, in the way that MSI is accessed, but you cannot transmit on NBDP. Also, trained crew. I've been involved in way to many rescues because of lack of crew training. It's not about them knowing what to do, it's about them knowing what to do under pressure. And if you aren't completely happy with what has to happen, ask! Again, I cannot emphasise enough how crucial crew competence under pressure is in heavy weather! Things go wrong all the time with fully professional, full time crews in rough weather. Not dying is due to everyone being fully abreast of their roles, and the roles of the people around them. When the sea state is up, let the trainees observe from a safe position (or under direct supervision depending on circumstances and role), but you need crew competence to survive! However, this video has some great points and demonstrates a key thing many people ignore: train for the worst case scenarios. If rough seas are a possibility, train for them. Don't train light on, for when the going gets tough, everyone and everything will crack. Also, and this might be years of naval service speaking, but train for damage too. Learn what tools you need to do underway repairs so you can limp back to port. I have seen many boats saved because their crews have known where their repair kits are, and how to use them. I have also been in many searches and rescues where the crews have not known how to conduct basic repairs - and that has a much greater cost!
Every USN sailor is a 'firefighter first' then you are your rate (job). Damage control is paramount when the hull is breached. Practice under adverse conditions is necessary.
@@davidhowell7901 true, but that does not always correlate well outside of naval/coastguard/fleet auxillary service. Especially yachties and recreational/coastal mariners, the emphasis on sea survivability is just not there. Blue water sailors, yes (especially the ones that go the the extreme latitudes), but on the whole there are a lot of mariners who do not have that mindset, or even awareness. I remember going over a motor yacht with a mate, where the engine compartment was only accessible by hydraulic systems. I asked what the override system was for total power or hydraulic outage, and the agent just laughed and asked what I was talking about! That's typical of the recreational/coastal world, I'm afraid.
And those conditions can occur just about anywhere and anytime. I once got caught in 35+ winds gusting to 50+ on the Columbia River Gorge in a blizzard in a 24-ft. Kent Ranger. My years of year round off-shore sailing off the Pacific coast prepared me for the event, but I never ever encountered as rough a conditions on the ocean as that time on the Columbia and with very little room to maneuver. to avoid running aground or collecting rock. And yes, the Columbia River can develop some good sized waves and turbulent waters. Still one of my most memorable sailing adventures shared with my young son and a friend who had never been on a sailboat before and became an avid sailor after much more time on my boat learning the ropes leading to his Captains license. Excellent post...👍👍
Excellent video. Might have been worth mentioning to have a good check over the boat once back in harbour to ensure nothing has chafed, or started to come undone or anything else which might catch you out next time you go to sea. If still at sea, then check as much as you can when the weather has calmed down.
I really appreciate this. A practical example of preparation and dealing with conditions. I would also add that care of the morale and 'energy' of the crew is not often discussed however important that it certainly is. Excellent vlog.
Great info! My solo sailing heavy weather tactics (17’ 2000# sailboat) If it’s the way I’m going run with it bare poles until breaking waves and danger of Broach then deploy Jordan Series Drogue. If I need to fight a Leeshore storm jib/third reef heave-too possibly fore-reach if breaking waves deploy Sea anchor. Mostly though keep a eye on weather and try to avoid it. As a solo sailor you Must practice these things beforehand in milder conditions and have all the kinks worked out.
Outstanding!! Brilliantly done all round. Best heavy weather vid I have ever seen, kudos to the crew and Theo -. you hit every important detai ,and the after action review was spot on. Expect and prepare for the worst, then carry on and enjoy the very best! Your prep and attention to detail took this from a potential horrror show to a valuable and unforgettable but safe day at sea. Bravo!
Great video that brings back memories for me. I had a Contessa 26 for years a long time ago. A very wet, small and slow little boat. I am now in my seventies and have fonder memories of her than any other boat that I have owned. Many a tale was told in the King's Head in Lymington after a long trek back from France or Cowes 😀. Several times I have had to alter plans, run for shelter or ride it out. Keep up the good work guys and safe sailing everyone. Bon Voyage.
Wet, small, slow but incredibly seaworthy, as the number of their like the have crossed oceans attests to. Also beautiful with their folkboat heritage, like the Halcyon 27 and others, which counts for a lot. We sailed a Liz 31 and a Twister both of which are a lot less wet, and a 1905 25ft gaff canoe-yawl, which was fast but VERY wet!
A very clear and educational video. Thank you for having thought of making a video with the basics of navigation in bad weather. and Thanks also to all the technical and editorial team for doing.
A couple weeks ago I went out, I didn't bother to check the forecast and it turns out there was a small craft advisory. It quickly turned to 25 knot winds and 40 knot gusts and I was out on my little 22 foot swing keel! Needless to say I quickly dropped sail and motored my butt back in and had a fun time trying to dock! Luckily my slipmate was out as well, so I had all the room I needed to fight the wind.
A really excellent presentation of this aspect of sailing, particularly in the conditions. Ranking the Contessa 32 very highly as a seagoing yacht. It's interesting to me that modern yacht design and marine technology still isn't fully geared up for rough weather sailing. Only if an owner is specifically interested will it get the proper attention it requires.
and still...some boats are just not designed to take really bad weather. Mostly heavily overcanvassed , with huge mans, genoas on roller furling and no second stay for a heavy staysail
Well covered ! We can all bang on about the storms we got through and lucked out. But it is the lessons learnt and reapplied that count….Everything just takes three times as long to do and is three times harder-And MUST be done with exquisite care. As you so so rightly do, have it all ready beforehand and give the crew a warm , hydrated,fed , safe and easy time of it conserving energy and alertness…The trisail and the storm jib /staysail really need to be set up and ‘ ready to go’..
I‘m not a sailor, would have loved to be though! As a former flight instructor I love the fact that you show, what it means if you get yourself in trouble and show in detail everything required to get yourself out of it! Very well done video and I believe some of your viewers will at one point in time highly appreciate what he/she learned out of it!👍
Having been stuck in a Force 10 plus for over 3 days in the Bay of Biscay, and so Seasick I was no use to man or beast. Best advice is don’t go there, and don’t go out in Force 6 winds either, or they can turn into Force 10 plus in the blink of an eye like happened to us. Frankly, this lot set a very bad example by even going out in Force 7 to Force 8 Winds, given Force 6 has a,ways been correctly considered a Yacht Gale, and they should be bloody well ashamed of themselves. 😡
@@brownnoise357 Really? The entire point of this was to explain professionally some of the issues in heavy weather sailing and to demonstrate that through prior planning and preparation it is eminently possible to sail, heave to and survive. It was clear to most (though clearly not all!) why they did this and anyone who actually sails will benefit. There's also no such thing as a "Yacht Gale"
@@johngower4164 If you have never even heard the Term Yacht Gale applied to Beufort Scale Force 6 conditions, then frankly you know sweet FA about Sailing. You could do yourself a huge Favour by printing out Copies of the Complete Beaufort Scale, and make sure to have several copies on you, should you ever set foot on a Sailboat. 😡
Great video! I wasn't expecting to first part to be before you even get out on the water, which was brilliant. I learned a lot from this so thank you very much.
Hi mate just found your channel, your doing well,I'm 70 and fixing my boat on the hard I'm not the oldest in the yard there's 2 ahead of me doing serious refits ya got time and dreams go for it cheers
Having grown up sailing in Wellington I am used to sailing in heavy weather. One season we kept records and they showed an average wind speed of 35 knots for the season and winds of up to 80 knots on heavy days. The key things we learned was firstly to prepare the boat for the worst no matter what the forcast. In particular make sure all the reefing lines are in the main before you go out. Secondly it is a very good idea to take ski goggles with you. This is because from about 50 knots upwards it gets very hard to see if you are sailing into the wind and ski goggles help. Finally it makes sense if you are going into open ocean to talk through what to do if things get bad. We did not do this and once got caught in steep waves with 100 metre high faces. It was so bad we thought we were all going to die.
Holy Mother….. it would be hard for any sailor to match my time on the water, and the hundreds of different makes and models I’ve sailed on. Everything from my main job of boat sales to repairs, lessons, events coordinator to Olympics, movies and it would still be hard to match my time on the water (but when I turned in my hours to the yacht club, there was always some member who had made a crossing and back or whatever and I would come in second, and yes, I couldn’t wait to get to work each morning for decades. However, Captain luckylongshotz, I have never encountered conditions such as that. Even having to leave your slip every time prepared and rigged for super heavy weather conditions would make it a poor boat sales arena. Nobody wants to sail (who lives to sail) in UN-FUN conditions. Especially life threatening conditions. Now, in my sailing history, I have sailed with and met many Aussies and Kiwis and learned early on that they are excellent sailors… any also many of them were…. Crazy! More of them were Aussies however. One fact about New Zealanders that always impressed me was how a nation of only 3 million could win so many gold medals at the Summer Olympics… BTW Kiwi Peter Montgomery ( the voice of Australia) got to be a pretty good friend and he was a good and knowledgeable sailor who should have been the worlds sailing voice IMHO.
You're dead right - Cook Strait is no place for the fainthearted when a storm blows through, came off the top of a 60footer in there and it seemed to take forever to hit the bottom. Does give you bragging rights tho.
Excellent Video and great explanation… 👌🏻 I think the only thing I would add would be an explanation of how important communication is before, during and after any really heavy weather. The crew should know what they can expect and what is expected of them, finally a good debrief once conditions allow and everyone has recovered from the exertion and stress of the situation, is invaluable. It should also be noted that many “modern designs” are not as well suited to sailing in heavy weather as a Contessa or many other more traditional designs … the design and layout of everything from the hull shape, interior and deck / rigging are often focused more on space and comfort in harbour than at sea…
Really enjoyed this video. Full of information and learned a few things! Also shows how sea worthy a yacht can be. I know the Contessa's are pretty good boats but there's nothing wrong with sailing in some high winds if you have the stomach for it. I personally love the idea of heavy weather and trying to master my skills in higher winds. Many thanks!
Just finishing my 2nd viewing of this video and I’ll probably watch it a few more times in the future. I don’t even have a sailboat, yet. Someday hopefully. Very well done and explained in a way my newbie brain could follow and understand. I especially liked how you took care of the crew by heaving-to for a break and building up the energy to finish off for the day. Just a little break like that could relieve stress levels that could have caused problems later on by continuing on with no break. Cudos. Keep up with the great videos. I’ve learned a lot from watching. Thanks!
Gotta say as a "solo" sailor on a 25' sloop my extra hands is Wayne the wind vane. He sits there doing his thing no complaints, bucketing rain, blowing a gale, holding course. Meanwhile I'm bruised, dry and enjoying UA-cam. On that note, racing along in +45knot gust solidifies sailors knowledge and skill.
Fantastic! You are the right one to make a video about MOB recovery in a gale. This would be most welcome and valuable. Thank you for the great work you put into all this videos. Cheers!
Thanks. We would love to do a MOB in a gale video. However, having done real life MOB tests for the magazine before (www.yachtingmonthly.com/sailing-skills/man-overboard-tactics-that-really-work-for-couples-72293) we suspect it would be very difficult to do safely. It's something we will look into, but even this video took a great deal of organising on the safety side. I'm not sure we can, in good faith, put someone overboard in inclement weather. Of course a dummy is always a possibility, but we'd need to ensure our team were not being put in danger. We'll keep looking into it.
@@YachtingMonthly I understand your point. A life sized puppet with a real man’s weight is already realistic enough. How to get the puppet onboard is for me the hardest to perform single handed… It’s actually scary how difficult it is. All the best from Austria!
Excellent excellent explanation and of the reasoning and reality of inclement weather. 👏 You all nailed it how it happens. Anyone wanting to head offshore should watch this as a basic. Fair winds from NZ
What a great video! Packed with amazing detail. And I can't say enough about that Contessa 32--she's a gem! and a good match with the crew. May have to watch this again.
I followed a small channel crossing the atlantic in october and they hoisted the storm jib upside down, had it up for day's and never noticed till I asked in the comments. They never took it out of the bag before that storm.
Much depends on the design of the boat. I've sailed in 40 pts in a solid Bluewater boat and it was surprisingly easy. In my first boat -- modified fin keel, spade rudder, low displacement, it would have been terrifying.
Awesome video. As a person who is considering joining the cruising community with significant passages, I truly appreciate content like this. I think I'll take my small boat out tomorrow. I've been in some relatively strong conditions in the Caribbean and the Pacific. I think I will practice these exercises starting in light winds before taking them into storm conditions. Tomorrow will be a good day to practice reefing the main and changing the jib while underway.
Get your hove-to skills polished so it's second nature. Being able to park-up and take stock is worth more than any kings ransom when the going gets really dicey!
@@dancarter482 I think I hove to 4 or 5 times in an 1100 NM Pacific trip last month. It's really easy if you practice it. But I saw it done differently on a video yesterday. This person was on a smaller boat (I believe it was a 32'). He was under staysail/trisail and wanted to maintain his tack due to sea conditions. So he pulled the staysail to the windward side and crossed the tiller to counter the staysail. I wouldn't want to try that under full jib in a 45+' boat. But it worked perfectly. I agree with polishing your skills. In another sport where I competed, we often said that the more tools you have in the toolbox, the more likely you are to survive. Your tools are the skills you have polished and your ability to choose them quickly and wisely.
Fifty years a sailor but I really enjoyed this. A review that I will share again and again with crew and fellow lifelong sailor friends. Very thorough and easy to understand. Thank you.
Great video - Thanks! Things on board are never perfect so it brought realism to the video to point out the (very few) deficiencies like the storm jib tack line. I liked the section on heaving to since that is one of my challenges.
Great instruction. This was helpful even for sailing a Pearson Ensign in heavy winds on a small lake. Clear and precise without a hint of condescension.
Very informative and clear video ! Yes for sure we can confirm the findings and infos about electronic equipments that might not work in the strong weather, such as touch screens and battery operated equipments as with the cold weather, many batteries will shut down at some point. We loved the section preparation of the boat inside and out too ! Thanks for this test !
Delivery skipper, here. Alone or not, you have to be ahead of the game. I rig everything I will need before I depart and that includes a solid sea anchor I can actually dump from the cockpit with lines lead aft from the bow. As a single hander you can only expect to get a storm jib up, not a tri sail. As a single hander you might be looking at what to expect to achieve in survival conditions, rather than , is she still light on the helm...which can only be achieved with a crew of healthy young bucks. As a single hander you are happy to maneuver, not actually sail, keep your head up or present a tidy quarter, pull off a lee shore or avoid a beam to attitude.
As a solo I would stuff some towels in the fridge on top of those beer cans. The thin wall aluminum of the can will tear when jostled around and you will be greatly disappointed without.
What a great instructional video, Thank You. So much makes more sense now than before. As a very novice sailor the information and advise you provide here is invaluable.⛵👍
Just the video I needed to watch, and wish I'd known all this before I had my first storm in the channel, that I only just by chance survived. Thanks for such a very clear and informed video. I'm going to check now to see if you've written a teaching book.
This was really cool! This is what sailing is really about. If you can make it through this type of weather you can sail through anything. I saw a bunch of people in the comments of a different video of a guy in a smaller sailboat encountering rough seas and they kept saying things like "that boat is too small for the ocean" and "don't ever take a lake boat in the ocean" if you know what you're doing there's no difference between a lake boat and an ocean boat.
As fairly inexperienced sea sailor, I appreciate! Especially showing this drift for resting a crew in stormy conditions. Every responsible sailor knows it, but it is first time I've really seen it. THX
A few years ago, I sold my Montgomery 17 as my age and physical abilities are noe catching up to me. One time, I got th eidea of sailing on Port Gardner Bay here in Puget Sound in similar conditions in november. Not 40 knots, but around 32-37 knots, waves breaking at 6-8 feet. I was never so scared in my life, until I realized the little Monty was thriving in it. Third reef in, headsail furled to 50%. I know, a furler isn't for storms, but on a small craft, the strength to resisitance ratio is greatly increased, especially on a Montgomery, which are over-built in every way imaginable. A bigger boat might have had trouble with that. Once I saw that the boat simply would not heel further than 18 degrees, my only problem was that the waves were so big that the boat was like a rocking horse, and my body was being beaten into a pulp from maintaining a basic human posture. It took a week for all the muscle and strain to go away. I sure love those old Montgomery's. IMO, Lyle Hess's masterpiece, despite all the other great boats he designed.
I love it! I own a 2005 Montgomery 17 and have sailed it on Erie with much bigger plans for the future. I’m sure you know about Little Breeze Cal-Hawaii and Strawanza Cal-New Zealand!
@@georgewashington7444 Yes. I had planned on modifying my first M-17 (1974) to make the companionway water tight, but never did. I wanted to circumnavigate Vancouver Island and sail to Alaska in it. Injuries and having a job that was really a sea anchor kept me from it. Now, those are just the dreams of an old man.
Excellent video, well done. I've been in similar wind speeds but in the middle of the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles from land with 4-5 metre seas. To say it is humbling is an understatement. I couldn't imagine trying to go to windward in those conditions, so our main concern was running at the best angle to avoid broaching. A good autopilot is essential because hand steering would be utterly exhausting.
Great video. As older sailors, my partner and I have rigged everything on our H28 to drop and raise the sails from the cockpit. This includes 2 reefing points and a furling gib. This winter I’m going to add lazy jacks so that if necessary we can drop the mainsail entirely. But as a result of watching your video and listening to the observations you make, I will also move some more important safety items closer to the hatch for availability
This has been the best presentation on safety in a blow that I've seen. So many details were covered so well. Thank you. One topic I would like to see covered is the tethering system. We didn't have one on any of the IOR boats I crewed on, back in the day. I've been through two major blows in my time and now with my little 22' trailerable I hope to not sail through another. However, planning for the worst and realizing my balance isn't what it used to be, I am interested in just how to rig a central Jackline and, just where and why the anchor points are for the cockpit.
Great vid thanks! And thanks for the summary of some of the many details involved, really helpful. One thing I did wonder about, as a dinghy sailor, and this reminds me of fashion clothing for the ski slopes in the French Alps. 😊 (where your face is important): In the vid, maybe as a result of stress, you have a wet head and bare skin on your hands and wrists in a 30 knot wind. What about 5mm+ wetsuit/neoprene skull caps with ear holes? Not very pretty but saves a lot on energy/fatigue/errors/wasted food. More ‘let’s get out there’ vids please!
I’m sure you will agree to raise the storm jib without freeing the sheets was stupid! Otherwise good advice for amateur weekend sailors. Also a contessa is a proven tough weather yacht, if you had a lighter or high performance yacht it would have been a tougher job to manage.
Nicely done. My interest was maintained throughout. Even after 60 + years at sea, I always pay attention to matters and materials new to me. And there are always just that and those. Cheers!
Get out into some silly winds in a Laser. They can be very pushy to the point you dump, even if you're introducing a fake broad reach. Silly speeds while hydroplaning. Also, you can't run because the tipsiness of the boat, and gusts make you roll back on the transom and almost lose it coming off the boat. That is...if you aren't laughing your ass off.
Unless there is a current or shoals, or narrows and tidal currents as in the English Channel, 40 to 45 knots is no big deal in a good boat. I left LA for the Marquesas in that kind of weather. It was no big deal, except for the unpleasant corkscrew motion from having the wind and 12 foot waves on the quarter in a 34 foot sailboat. Wind against a current over a shoal is a bad situation, especially at a bar at a harbor mouth, or in a narrows with a tidal current. In the open sea, meh! Of course, here we had the Gulf current.
I was out in cyclone Bola in 89 .... 180k winds . Keel came out of water. Boat went sideways... the creast of the waves were getting cut off by the scrawls.... hardly moving forward because the waves were huge. Crazy times.
Superb, thanks for the comprehensive explanation with direct experience and prior briefing. I sail solo under rough conditions from time to time just to find the flaws of the boat, its setup (below and above deck) and my own decisions and skills. And😮I find many new every time I do it. Always worth, but later 3 days exhausted, it's extremely demanding. 😅
Great viewing. I don’t have the courage or the skill to sail in those conditions yet (or the foreseeable future) but great to see. Keep up the great vids. Ian
Excellent video and congrats for going out in that stuff. On launching our 39' catamaran we took her out in a "East Coast Low" as they're called in Sydney, 35-40 knots and 4-5m seas. Triple reefed main and semi furled headsail. What I really wanted to know was whether should could tack off a lee shore-- she could with flying colours, due to a very good design and large daggerboards. We also learned that she could handle more than the crew, I was vomiting on deck while she was happily, if ruggedly sailing along... Recently we've been hit by 40 knot winds off this coast and we are now putting a 4th reef in the main--the idea of putting another sail up the mast track in those conditions is not appealing and I think dangerous as we sail mostly 2 up.
Nearly but not quite. That goes to the Bristol Channel Pilot cutters! A quote in a book called messing around in boats goes something like this! A gentleman sailor/explorer took on a Bristol Pilot cutter in the 1920s and needed to sail it around to the south coast to his home port and wanted to take somebody who understood the way the boats worked so he ended up in Pill, Somerset where he employed an ex westwardman who sailed on them since he was a boy.. When they were down in the bottom part of the Bristol Channel the weather came in and the owner who was on watch went below to wake the old Pill man to ask him that we need to heave to as the weathers really bad! Being at sea his entire life the Pill man woke instantly and asked what the problem was so the owner told him.. he rolled back over in his bunk and simply said “we don’t heave to in these boats” and went back to sleep!
The sea state is the most important. This is an excellent exercice; but what I am most afraid of is the sea state with high waves with a short period; these are real killer for a small boat; even if the wind slowed down a little bit. Congratulations for all the experience and demo : this is an excellent tutorial. The idea of a separate track for the trysail is excellent. I wanted to install one on my own boat but then disaster struck in the form of a heart ailments and in a day sailing had to be a thing of the past. Some events in life suck. Enough of self-pity; go out and train ! … And it's fun too!!!
Done the 30 - 40 knot run from Hythe marina to Yarmouth. Exhilarating to say the least. Surfing at 11 knots in a quarter tonner on a storm jib. All fine until something breaks!
I remember 40 years ago on the helm of a 46 foot masthead sloop built out of hi-tensile steel. Going hard to windward 40 knots, gusting to 50. The spray stings a fair bit at those speeds. Doing about 8-9 knots. This yacht was rock solid and unfortunately another time took severe abuse when a rookie sail trimmer on the brace was ordered to “ease the brace” and he had no idea of the forces involved and WHAM the spinnaker pole smashed into the forestay. The vibration thoughout the rig was horrendous. The rod rigging never let go - ever. Another time in a storm we pulled down all sails and went with the wind, I think we were doing 2 knots. I remember it well as the wind really forced you into the helm.
we did did a race in 38Knts plus and it was a real bumpy ride. Everyone was falling all over the place everything in the saloon was on the floor it is just so much harder even turning the boat or just holding the course when you are doing 14knts down these big waves. Not sure the trophy we got was worth it, but good lessons were learned. I had no one doing foredeck as all my lines can be controlled from the cockpit and just hold on when you move around.
Great sugestions, i would add store the anker under deck, and if you have a roller furling and not planning on using it tie a rope around it, check your rigging as well before going out 😄
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Based on a lengthy career as a yacht delivery skipper, (though quite a few decades past :>) I might make a couple of suggestions..
Especially when alone on watch, use two straps to hank yourself to the boat, one very short, this will anchor yourself in place and avoid being thrown across the cockpit onto something hard.. like a winch.. the second, a lengthy strap, that if you need to unhank the short strap in order to make some adjustment, will still ensure that you're attached. Using a single strap by knotting and releasing can become tiresome and difficult when tired, wet, cold. Secondly.. reduce watch times progressively and before fatigue sets in.. I've been down to 30 min per watch on a couple of very bad occasions. Fatigue can be a killer in several ways.
Great tip about the double-tethering, thank you.
That’s compulsory in offshore racing for a while now. It has been known by experienced sailors - as you are - long before.
@@alexandermenck6609 transact races do not have guidelines on the number of tethers the sailor must have attached (it would be imposible to enforce). Is easy to validate what I say, simply read the rules.
I got distracted by strapping me on. Stopped doing that, crossed Atl. 5 times singlehanded and logged about 50 th. miles. And i am still here to tell the story...
@@peterweltweitand many didn't live to tell their tales because they weren't tethered.
People used to tell me I was crazy for going sailing in bad weather.but my argument was that if you'd practiced in bad weather you wouldn't be surprised when it hit .
I once went out rowing in a 40 knot gale in an 8ft Dinghy. I learned as much about rough weather boat handling in an hour than I had in 20 years .
Thats just being stupid. You're not learning anything.
That is s very good point and one we’ve done before. It’s great to take that advantage when you can use a different make and model to on those trips and even offer to those who may not get the opportunity very often. Your right, just keep an eye out for those who lose it though. They will kill themselves trying to save themselves. It happens, but if one is having a confident sail in rough conditions, it can be an exceptional learning experience. Remember, I’m not talking about wild weather conditions where the surface is completely white, just conditions to keep you on your toes and maybe sweat a little.
Rowing an 8 ft dinghy in 40kt...what was that like? Can't imagine you could make much headway...
@@lmack3024 rowed around in big circles to see how the waves affected the boat it was scary and tiring but if I’d capsized I was only a short swim to shore Without The waves I could walk it
Lambertodg..., I'm the same. I think you need to know how a boat handles in rough weather. By avoiding it, you're only asking for trouble.
Like you, I was on a lake and close to show. Unlike you though, I was in a modified kayak (converted into a trimaran) that was only 7ft and used 200um builders plastic as my sail.
Strong winds and the north sea showed me my limitations in a matter of seconds- took me 13 hours to battle out of it again. This can be a life saving video, thank you for making it!👍
I have seen a few instructional videos covering this topic but none made things as clear. You covered many of the fearful topics in one logical flow that just makes sense!
Interior needs more security.
Great tips. Any blue water sailor can get caught in 40 knots or more. The first time it happened to me was in a Cat 1 hurricane. It would've great to have already had a little 40 knot experience under my belt. The good thing was that later when I was caught in 30 knots in coastal sailing it was actually fun.
Having been crew in a heavy gale on several occassions I can definitely say that any time you have to go forward is a VERY dangerous situation, and even normally minor issues become life threatening. The bounce of the foredeck combined with everything being wet, cold, and slippery means that you need four hands for the boat (and wish you had prehensile toes).
Getting prepared before the weather gets bad, and practicing (like this video suggests) are your best action plan. You can very quickly find yourself having to get onto
a foredeck travelling up and down 6-8 ft every few seconds, while trying to untangle a line or worse, pulling in a headsail, with no footing.
In 3 hours of sailing my 4 person Walmart blow-up dingy, the Florida Haulover bested me. 😢 Going to Target tommorrow to pick up a 5 person Pink Flamingo dingy and tender-unicorn dingy (as life-backup).
@@rob379lqz It's a wise man who learns from past experience and upgrades his equipment in preparation for future challenges.
It''s a good idea to practice, but surprisingly it's not statistically very dangerous to go forward in heavy gales. In the '98 Hobart and '79 Fastnet, for example, no one was lost from the foredeck. In fact I think there's a study somewhere, perhaps from US Sailing, that shows that the mid-deck is the spot where most people are lost from, although that may be because racing bowmen and bowwomen are often chosen for good balance and practise at it. In the Sydney-Hobart race you're required to come past the starting boat before the start with your storm gear all set, to show that it's ready to go. It's a great idea because it means that you're ready with it when things get hairy.
and a prehensile tail ;-)
@@rob379lqz you'll also need a transom extension (I think costco sell them) to get all four outboards onto the flamingo if you're tackling Haulover
Assent was owned by Willie Ker well before the 79 Fastnet. It was his son Alan who skippered the boat during that race. Assent was the first keel boat I ever sailed on - probably around 1976 - having learned to sail on the same small reservoir where my family met and became friends with Willie. What a legend... Assent is looking good! The last time I saw her was in Victoria BC where I met Willie after he had returned from the Bering Sea; she was looking a little rough!
I used to race kayaks with Alan, happy memories!
For those who don't know about Willy Ker: ua-cam.com/video/Nx4oN8GAfV0/v-deo.html
Comms enthusiast here -- there is a inexpensive option called a Throat Mic which can connect to handheld radios. It also comes with a earpiece so that you can hear what's being said on channel. The idea is to keep your hands free so that you can handle the tiller and lines.
Use Throat Mikes in aviation due to Jet Noise work really well
Lot of nice things to say about this video. Besides, it is a relief to actually see an internet video (this may be the first I have seen) done by somebody who speaks the language, almost always using proper terminology. UA-cam is just swamped with self-styled cruising experts who don't even know what a "deck" is. It never ceases to amaze and even to depress me to see such persons who know less about how to talk about a boat than I did when I was 10 years old.
That is one of the best sailing videos I’ve ever watched. And I may have watched them all!
NBJS is a good at explaining his adventures too!
Interesting video. As a former yachtsman I have had my fair share of strong weather. My tactics in 40+ knots would be to heave-to. The Contessa shown would be ideal for this. By the way, I was in a major storm ( “pacific Storm” on UA-cam) with winds in excess of 80Kns and a sea state with over 18 metre swells with breaking tops. Many yachts and a whole family lost. Not far from me was the designer of the Contessa David Sadler. We both sailed the same designed yacht a 10.5M Ganley Shadow. Steel. Both came through with minor damage. Handled this storm hove-to.
80knot Hove to doubt it. Eventually running under bare pole and putting some drag in the drink is the only option as Dacron shreds from bullet wind.
Not sure about your comment. I could point you to the relevant Adlard Coles publication that covered my storm experience and tactics. Lots of coverage in books etc. fully verifiable. I have over 45 years sailing in the Southern Ocean and between NZ and the Pacific Islands. I most certainly know about having bullet proof storm sails. Not too sure about your sail knowledge.
Nearly forgot. Quartermaster, the yacht that was lost with all crew was running under bare poles dragging a load of chain.
That was the Queen’s birthday storm. Congrats that you survived but there is a big part of sheer luck in it. As good as you may be prepared, as good as the yacht is your are sailing on, those where conditions in which you are in the hands of god. BTW running may work on a light displacement boat but a heavy cruiser will knock down sooner or later.
@@alexandermenck6609 My Ganley yacht was designed for the area I sailed in. Dennis (Designer) re-did calculations on steel thickness and its effect on waterline. He agreed with me that I could increase the deck and freeboard thickness by 1mm which would cost me a quarter inch of freeboard. included in his calc's was the addition of extra frames and deck beams. As a, then, volunteer marine radio operator I had over the years communicated with yachtsmen who had problems with issues like deck pumping etc due to lack of support. In the case of the lost yacht and family this was a Whiting 40 with a displacement of approx' ten tonnes. She was fibreglass. Your comment re heavy versus light displacement when running has validity. Fully equipped for a Pacific cruise "Quartermaster"would have clocked in at about 15-17 tonnes. Interestingly a similar design survived but was subject to some major wracking which caused seawater ingress into the accommodation due to port distortion. Quartermaster had one weakness in that she had enlarged ports which reduced the rigidity of the cabin top. Cause of sinking, who knows. She disappeared completely. only the liferaft was recovered. Thanks for your comment.
This is a great idea and I have done this. First, I am a US Sailing instructor that taught a lot in San Francisco, bay and off shore. Well known for strong winds and seas as the norm. But when I bought an Alberg 35 that I was living aboard with my wife, we went up a canal for protection from a category 2 hurricane. After the worst had passed, sustained winds were 40-50. We decided to test the boat, well known for it’s good heavy weather attributes.
We were sailing about 12 miles back to home port in the open part of Biscayne Bay. It was tougher than we thought. Part of the issue was the reduced visibility, due to rain. (That we didn’t expect, and this is before chart plotters and GPS). Navigation was pilotage and Ded Reconing. The boat handled the conditions well, with triple reefed main and storm Jib. Always good to practice heavy weather in at least semi controlled conditions as you, and we did.
Are they in a contessa 26
@@bobkirwan9877 Ah! Very nice boat.
It's a Contessa 32.
Excellent video. I've been sailing for 50 years, the last 20 soloing a 57 foot, cold molded, center cockpit cutter designed by Henry Scheel. Every couple of years I would take my boat out in big seas and high winds in the middle of the night, hank on my storm sail, fully reef the main and hove to. I would also lock the rudder and try to steer using a 48" drogue on two winches. I am amazed at the people who I have met that have been caught in bad weather with full sails flying and didnt know how to reef properly and had no storm sails. they should all watch your video...
Some plumbers putty in the spurling pipe might help
Having worked (and still work) commercial and patrol vessels, and sailing both yachts and square riggers, with many years working in the Southern and Indian Oceans, one thing I have to say is that old technology works. It's been around forever at sea for a reason. Those basic navigation devices, the paper chart (on deck, you just need a small one in a plastic case), a compass for bearings (I use a set of binos with an inbuilt compass), especially when doing coastal runs. Modern technology is great and make life so easy, but never, ever, ever rely on it! And for comms, rely on your HF/MF. SATCOM will work, but intermittently. As that cloud cover builds, especially if there is electricity in the atmosphere, your INM-C will take a hit. Rely on HF for your long range comms in rough conditions, as although you will hear a lot of ambience, you will still get messages in and out. I really cannot emphasise NBDP (Narrowband Direct Printing) when going outside of 40 degrees N/S. Your equatorial satellites will be way to far away by that point when atmospherics are involved, and while NBDP takes momentary hits, it works in any condition, and they plan for those hits! It works similar to INM-C, especially for modern systems that usually use both INM-C and NBDP on the same screen, in the way that MSI is accessed, but you cannot transmit on NBDP. Also, trained crew. I've been involved in way to many rescues because of lack of crew training. It's not about them knowing what to do, it's about them knowing what to do under pressure. And if you aren't completely happy with what has to happen, ask! Again, I cannot emphasise enough how crucial crew competence under pressure is in heavy weather! Things go wrong all the time with fully professional, full time crews in rough weather. Not dying is due to everyone being fully abreast of their roles, and the roles of the people around them. When the sea state is up, let the trainees observe from a safe position (or under direct supervision depending on circumstances and role), but you need crew competence to survive! However, this video has some great points and demonstrates a key thing many people ignore: train for the worst case scenarios. If rough seas are a possibility, train for them. Don't train light on, for when the going gets tough, everyone and everything will crack. Also, and this might be years of naval service speaking, but train for damage too. Learn what tools you need to do underway repairs so you can limp back to port. I have seen many boats saved because their crews have known where their repair kits are, and how to use them. I have also been in many searches and rescues where the crews have not known how to conduct basic repairs - and that has a much greater cost!
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Appreciated.
Every USN sailor is a 'firefighter first' then you are your rate (job).
Damage control is paramount when the hull is breached.
Practice under adverse conditions is necessary.
@@davidhowell7901 true, but that does not always correlate well outside of naval/coastguard/fleet auxillary service. Especially yachties and recreational/coastal mariners, the emphasis on sea survivability is just not there. Blue water sailors, yes (especially the ones that go the the extreme latitudes), but on the whole there are a lot of mariners who do not have that mindset, or even awareness. I remember going over a motor yacht with a mate, where the engine compartment was only accessible by hydraulic systems. I asked what the override system was for total power or hydraulic outage, and the agent just laughed and asked what I was talking about! That's typical of the recreational/coastal world, I'm afraid.
Too far away. Not to far.
Great write up dude, sound advice. Stay safe everyone 🇬🇧✌🏼⚓️
And those conditions can occur just about anywhere and anytime. I once got caught in 35+ winds gusting to 50+ on the Columbia River Gorge in a blizzard in a 24-ft. Kent Ranger. My years of year round off-shore sailing off the Pacific coast prepared me for the event, but I never ever encountered as rough a conditions on the ocean as that time on the Columbia and with very little room to maneuver. to avoid running aground or collecting rock. And yes, the Columbia River can develop some good sized waves and turbulent waters.
Still one of my most memorable sailing adventures shared with my young son and a friend who had never been on a sailboat before and became an avid sailor after much more time on my boat learning the ropes leading to his Captains license.
Excellent post...👍👍
Excellent video. Might have been worth mentioning to have a good check over the boat once back in harbour to ensure nothing has chafed, or started to come undone or anything else which might catch you out next time you go to sea. If still at sea, then check as much as you can when the weather has calmed down.
I really appreciate this. A practical example of preparation and dealing with conditions. I would also add that care of the morale and 'energy' of the crew is not often discussed however important that it certainly is. Excellent vlog.
Great info!
My solo sailing heavy weather tactics (17’ 2000# sailboat)
If it’s the way I’m going run with it bare poles until breaking waves and danger of Broach then deploy Jordan Series Drogue.
If I need to fight a Leeshore storm jib/third reef heave-too possibly fore-reach if breaking waves deploy Sea anchor.
Mostly though keep a eye on weather and try to avoid it. As a solo sailor you Must practice these things beforehand in milder conditions and have all the kinks worked out.
I have the article here right beside me. I am so happy there is a video to this. One of the best articles I have read recently. Assent is a treasure
Outstanding!! Brilliantly done all round. Best heavy weather vid I have ever seen, kudos to the crew and Theo -. you hit every important detai ,and the after action review was spot on. Expect and prepare for the worst, then carry on and enjoy the very best! Your prep and attention to detail took this from a potential horrror show to a valuable and unforgettable but safe day at sea. Bravo!
Great video that brings back memories for me. I had a Contessa 26 for years a long time ago. A very wet, small and slow little boat. I am now in my seventies and have fonder memories of her than any other boat that I have owned. Many a tale was told in the King's Head in Lymington after a long trek back from France or Cowes 😀. Several times I have had to alter plans, run for shelter or ride it out. Keep up the good work guys and safe sailing everyone. Bon Voyage.
tiny inside, but a tough little boat. to be honest sailing on snall keelboats of that size is a lot of fun, and costs are low.
Wet, small, slow but incredibly seaworthy, as the number of their like the have crossed oceans attests to. Also beautiful with their folkboat heritage, like the Halcyon 27 and others, which counts for a lot. We sailed a Liz 31 and a Twister both of which are a lot less wet, and a 1905 25ft gaff canoe-yawl, which was fast but VERY wet!
Great and honest video, good and clear instructions and - yes - the Contessa is a very suitable and proper ‘little boat’ !
Best, Harry
A very clear and educational video. Thank you for having thought of making a video with the basics of navigation in bad weather. and Thanks also to all the technical and editorial team for doing.
A couple weeks ago I went out, I didn't bother to check the forecast and it turns out there was a small craft advisory. It quickly turned to 25 knot winds and 40 knot gusts and I was out on my little 22 foot swing keel! Needless to say I quickly dropped sail and motored my butt back in and had a fun time trying to dock! Luckily my slipmate was out as well, so I had all the room I needed to fight the wind.
A really excellent presentation of this aspect of sailing, particularly in the conditions. Ranking the Contessa 32 very highly as a seagoing yacht. It's interesting to me that modern yacht design and marine technology still isn't fully geared up for rough weather sailing. Only if an owner is specifically interested will it get the proper attention it requires.
and still...some boats are just not designed to take really bad weather. Mostly heavily overcanvassed , with huge mans, genoas on roller furling and no second stay for a heavy staysail
Well covered ! We can all bang on about the storms we got through and lucked out. But it is the lessons learnt and reapplied that count….Everything just takes three times as long to do and is three times harder-And MUST be done with exquisite care. As you so so rightly do, have it all ready beforehand and give the crew a warm , hydrated,fed , safe and easy time of it conserving energy and alertness…The trisail and the storm jib /staysail really need to be set up and ‘ ready to go’..
I‘m not a sailor, would have loved to be though! As a former flight instructor I love the fact that you show, what it means if you get yourself in trouble and show in detail everything required to get yourself out of it! Very well done video and I believe some of your viewers will at one point in time highly appreciate what he/she learned out of it!👍
Having been stuck in a Force 10 plus for over 3 days in the Bay of Biscay, and so Seasick I was no use to man or beast. Best advice is don’t go there, and don’t go out in Force 6 winds either, or they can turn into Force 10 plus in the blink of an eye like happened to us. Frankly, this lot set a very bad example by even going out in Force 7 to Force 8 Winds, given Force 6 has a,ways been correctly considered a Yacht Gale, and they should be bloody well ashamed of themselves. 😡
Lighten up @brown noise.
@@brownnoise357 Really? The entire point of this was to explain professionally some of the issues in heavy weather sailing and to demonstrate that through prior planning and preparation it is eminently possible to sail, heave to and survive. It was clear to most (though clearly not all!) why they did this and anyone who actually sails will benefit. There's also no such thing as a "Yacht Gale"
@@johngower4164 If you have never even heard the Term Yacht Gale applied to Beufort Scale Force 6 conditions, then frankly you know sweet FA about Sailing. You could do yourself a huge Favour by printing out Copies of the Complete Beaufort Scale, and make sure to have several copies on you, should you ever set foot on a Sailboat. 😡
It's never too late to learn!
Great video! I wasn't expecting to first part to be before you even get out on the water, which was brilliant. I learned a lot from this so thank you very much.
Hi mate just found your channel, your doing well,I'm 70 and fixing my boat on the hard I'm not the oldest in the yard there's 2 ahead of me doing serious refits ya got time and dreams go for it cheers
Having grown up sailing in Wellington I am used to sailing in heavy weather. One season we kept records and they showed an average wind speed of 35 knots for the season and winds of up to 80 knots on heavy days. The key things we learned was firstly to prepare the boat for the worst no matter what the forcast. In particular make sure all the reefing lines are in the main before you go out. Secondly it is a very good idea to take ski goggles with you. This is because from about 50 knots upwards it gets very hard to see if you are sailing into the wind and ski goggles help. Finally it makes sense if you are going into open ocean to talk through what to do if things get bad. We did not do this and once got caught in steep waves with 100 metre high faces. It was so bad we thought we were all going to die.
Holy Mother….. it would be hard for any sailor to match my time on the water, and the hundreds of different makes and models I’ve sailed on. Everything from my main job of boat sales to repairs, lessons, events coordinator to Olympics, movies and it would still be hard to match my time on the water (but when I turned in my hours to the yacht club, there was always some member who had made a crossing and back or whatever and I would come in second, and yes, I couldn’t wait to get to work each morning for decades. However, Captain luckylongshotz, I have never encountered conditions such as that. Even having to leave your slip every time prepared and rigged for super heavy weather conditions would make it a poor boat sales arena. Nobody wants to sail (who lives to sail) in UN-FUN conditions. Especially life threatening conditions. Now, in my sailing history, I have sailed with and met many Aussies and Kiwis and learned early on that they are excellent sailors… any also many of them were…. Crazy! More of them were Aussies however. One fact about New Zealanders that always impressed me was how a nation of only 3 million could win so many gold medals at the Summer Olympics… BTW Kiwi Peter Montgomery ( the voice of Australia) got to be a pretty good friend and he was a good and knowledgeable sailor who should have been the worlds sailing voice IMHO.
You're dead right - Cook Strait is no place for the fainthearted when a storm blows through, came off the top of a 60footer in there and it seemed to take forever to hit the bottom. Does give you bragging rights tho.
Huh? 300 foot plus high waves? Really?
Outstanding presentation! My personal mantra is "What if,What now,What next?"
Excellent presentation. A must watch for novice and experienced sailors who have not been out in the rough for a while. Thank You.
Excellent Video and great explanation… 👌🏻
I think the only thing I would add would be an explanation of how important communication is before, during and after any really heavy weather. The crew should know what they can expect and what is expected of them, finally a good debrief once conditions allow and everyone has recovered from the exertion and stress of the situation, is invaluable.
It should also be noted that many “modern designs” are not as well suited to sailing in heavy weather as a Contessa or many other more traditional designs … the design and layout of everything from the hull shape, interior and deck / rigging are often focused more on space and comfort in harbour than at sea…
many people don't consider sea worthiness to be big selling factor.
Really enjoyed this video. Full of information and learned a few things! Also shows how sea worthy a yacht can be. I know the Contessa's are pretty good boats but there's nothing wrong with sailing in some high winds if you have the stomach for it. I personally love the idea of heavy weather and trying to master my skills in higher winds. Many thanks!
Just finishing my 2nd viewing of this video and I’ll probably watch it a few more times in the future. I don’t even have a sailboat, yet. Someday hopefully. Very well done and explained in a way my newbie brain could follow and understand. I especially liked how you took care of the crew by heaving-to for a break and building up the energy to finish off for the day. Just a little break like that could relieve stress levels that could have caused problems later on by continuing on with no break. Cudos. Keep up with the great videos. I’ve learned a lot from watching. Thanks!
Gotta say as a "solo" sailor on a 25' sloop my extra hands is Wayne the wind vane. He sits there doing his thing no complaints, bucketing rain, blowing a gale, holding course. Meanwhile I'm bruised, dry and enjoying UA-cam.
On that note, racing along in +45knot gust solidifies sailors knowledge and skill.
Fantastic! You are the right one to make a video about MOB recovery in a gale. This would be most welcome and valuable. Thank you for the great work you put into all this videos. Cheers!
Thanks. We would love to do a MOB in a gale video. However, having done real life MOB tests for the magazine before (www.yachtingmonthly.com/sailing-skills/man-overboard-tactics-that-really-work-for-couples-72293) we suspect it would be very difficult to do safely.
It's something we will look into, but even this video took a great deal of organising on the safety side. I'm not sure we can, in good faith, put someone overboard in inclement weather. Of course a dummy is always a possibility, but we'd need to ensure our team were not being put in danger. We'll keep looking into it.
@@YachtingMonthly I understand your point. A life sized puppet with a real man’s weight is already realistic enough. How to get the puppet onboard is for me the hardest to perform single handed… It’s actually scary how difficult it is. All the best from Austria!
Excellent excellent explanation and of the reasoning and reality of inclement weather. 👏
You all nailed it how it happens.
Anyone wanting to head offshore should watch this as a basic.
Fair winds from NZ
Awesome video. Never forget you can change course to be safe. Keep your knees bent everyone.
What a great video! Packed with amazing detail. And I can't say enough about that Contessa 32--she's a gem! and a good match with the crew. May have to watch this again.
I followed a small channel crossing the atlantic in october and they hoisted the storm jib upside down, had it up for day's and never noticed till I asked in the comments. They never took it out of the bag before that storm.
Much depends on the design of the boat. I've sailed in 40 pts in a solid Bluewater boat and it was surprisingly easy. In my first boat -- modified fin keel, spade rudder, low displacement, it would have been terrifying.
Awesome video. As a person who is considering joining the cruising community with significant passages, I truly appreciate content like this. I think I'll take my small boat out tomorrow. I've been in some relatively strong conditions in the Caribbean and the Pacific. I think I will practice these exercises starting in light winds before taking them into storm conditions. Tomorrow will be a good day to practice reefing the main and changing the jib while underway.
Get your hove-to skills polished so it's second nature. Being able to park-up and take stock is worth more than any kings ransom when the going gets really dicey!
@@dancarter482 I think I hove to 4 or 5 times in an 1100 NM Pacific trip last month. It's really easy if you practice it. But I saw it done differently on a video yesterday. This person was on a smaller boat (I believe it was a 32'). He was under staysail/trisail and wanted to maintain his tack due to sea conditions. So he pulled the staysail to the windward side and crossed the tiller to counter the staysail. I wouldn't want to try that under full jib in a 45+' boat. But it worked perfectly.
I agree with polishing your skills. In another sport where I competed, we often said that the more tools you have in the toolbox, the more likely you are to survive. Your tools are the skills you have polished and your ability to choose them quickly and wisely.
Incredible audio recording for the wind conditions, very well made and educative, thanks
Well done Theo for that final piece to camera, you looked knackered :-)
Fifty years a sailor but I really enjoyed this. A review that I will share again and again with crew and fellow lifelong sailor friends. Very thorough and easy to understand. Thank you.
Great video - Thanks! Things on board are never perfect so it brought realism to the video to point out the (very few) deficiencies like the storm jib tack line. I liked the section on heaving to since that is one of my challenges.
Great instruction. This was helpful even for sailing a Pearson Ensign in heavy winds on a small lake. Clear and precise without a hint of condescension.
Very informative and clear video ! Yes for sure we can confirm the findings and infos about electronic equipments that might not work in the strong weather, such as touch screens and battery operated equipments as with the cold weather, many batteries will shut down at some point. We loved the section preparation of the boat inside and out too ! Thanks for this test !
it would be good to also get a sense of how solo sailors manage storm sails.
Delivery skipper, here. Alone or not, you have to be ahead of the game. I rig everything I will need before I depart and that includes a solid sea anchor I can actually dump from the cockpit with lines lead aft from the bow. As a single hander you can only expect to get a storm jib up, not a tri sail. As a single hander you might be looking at what to expect to achieve in survival conditions, rather than , is she still light on the helm...which can only be achieved with a crew of healthy young bucks. As a single hander you are happy to maneuver, not actually sail, keep your head up or present a tidy quarter, pull off a lee shore or avoid a beam to attitude.
As a solo I would stuff some towels in the fridge on top of those beer cans. The thin wall aluminum of the can will tear when jostled around and you will be greatly disappointed without.
@@thinkcasting3182 Priorities! :D
@@thinkcasting3182 I only saw one beer can. These guys are reckless!
You’ve chosen one of the best boats to use in rough weather, a Contressa! Try that in a modern frying pan!
What a great instructional video, Thank You. So much makes more sense now than before.
As a very novice sailor the information and advise you provide here is invaluable.⛵👍
Just the video I needed to watch, and wish I'd known all this before I had my first storm in the channel, that I only just by chance survived. Thanks for such a very clear and informed video. I'm going to check now to see if you've written a teaching book.
This was really cool! This is what sailing is really about. If you can make it through this type of weather you can sail through anything. I saw a bunch of people in the comments of a different video of a guy in a smaller sailboat encountering rough seas and they kept saying things like "that boat is too small for the ocean" and "don't ever take a lake boat in the ocean" if you know what you're doing there's no difference between a lake boat and an ocean boat.
Thank you for taking us for the ride. Great info.
As fairly inexperienced sea sailor, I appreciate!
Especially showing this drift for resting a crew in stormy conditions.
Every responsible sailor knows it, but it is first time I've really seen it. THX
Great video, great comments as well. Thank You. Another good complement would be how to cope/best compromise when no storm jib on board.
Nice flow to that video - to the point and holds the attention - something worth its weight in gold when instructing: Thanks so much.
A few years ago, I sold my Montgomery 17 as my age and physical abilities are noe catching up to me. One time, I got th eidea of sailing on Port Gardner Bay here in Puget Sound in similar conditions in november. Not 40 knots, but around 32-37 knots, waves breaking at 6-8 feet.
I was never so scared in my life, until I realized the little Monty was thriving in it. Third reef in, headsail furled to 50%. I know, a furler isn't for storms, but on a small craft, the strength to resisitance ratio is greatly increased, especially on a Montgomery, which are over-built in every way imaginable. A bigger boat might have had trouble with that.
Once I saw that the boat simply would not heel further than 18 degrees, my only problem was that the waves were so big that the boat was like a rocking horse, and my body was being beaten into a pulp from maintaining a basic human posture.
It took a week for all the muscle and strain to go away. I sure love those old Montgomery's. IMO, Lyle Hess's masterpiece, despite all the other great boats he designed.
I love it! I own a 2005 Montgomery 17 and have sailed it on Erie with much bigger plans for the future.
I’m sure you know about Little Breeze Cal-Hawaii and Strawanza Cal-New Zealand!
@@georgewashington7444 Yes. I had planned on modifying my first M-17 (1974) to make the companionway water tight, but never did. I wanted to circumnavigate Vancouver Island and sail to Alaska in it. Injuries and having a job that was really a sea anchor kept me from it. Now, those are just the dreams of an old man.
Excellent video, well done. I've been in similar wind speeds but in the middle of the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles from land with 4-5 metre seas. To say it is humbling is an understatement. I couldn't imagine trying to go to windward in those conditions, so our main concern was running at the best angle to avoid broaching. A good autopilot is essential because hand steering would be utterly exhausting.
Windvane?
Yes, it was. The seas were 25 -30' high, rolling from Japan, thousands of miles away in the fall.
Thank you very much Theo and crew. Great video, I enjoyed every minute
Great video. As older sailors, my partner and I have rigged everything on our H28 to drop and raise the sails from the cockpit. This includes 2 reefing points and a furling gib. This winter I’m going to add lazy jacks so that if necessary we can drop the mainsail entirely. But as a result of watching your video and listening to the observations you make, I will also move some more important safety items closer to the hatch for availability
I'm getting anxious just watching this and it's not even dramatic. Thanks for the instruction.
Gorgeous! I wouldn't dare going out in such conditions, but man how I enjoyed watching you!
SUPERB video, thank you for the effort, it was a very useful watch!
This has been the best presentation on safety in a blow that I've seen. So many details were covered so well. Thank you. One topic I would like to see covered is the tethering system. We didn't have one on any of the IOR boats I crewed on, back in the day. I've been through two major blows in my time and now with my little 22' trailerable I hope to not sail through another. However, planning for the worst and realizing my balance isn't what it used to be, I am interested in just how to rig a central Jackline and, just where and why the anchor points are for the cockpit.
Great vid thanks! And thanks for the summary of some of the many details involved, really helpful.
One thing I did wonder about, as a dinghy sailor, and this reminds me of fashion clothing for the ski slopes in the French Alps. 😊 (where your face is important):
In the vid, maybe as a result of stress, you have a wet head and bare skin on your hands and wrists in a 30 knot wind. What about 5mm+ wetsuit/neoprene skull caps with ear holes? Not very pretty but saves a lot on energy/fatigue/errors/wasted food.
More ‘let’s get out there’ vids please!
That was exceedingly useful - so very practical. Thank you.
I’m sure you will agree to raise the storm jib without freeing the sheets was stupid! Otherwise good advice for amateur weekend sailors. Also a contessa is a proven tough weather yacht, if you had a lighter or high performance yacht it would have been a tougher job to manage.
Nicely done. My interest was maintained throughout. Even after 60 + years at sea, I always pay attention to matters and materials new to me. And there are always just that and those. Cheers!
Get out into some silly winds in a Laser. They can be very pushy to the point you dump, even if you're introducing a fake broad reach. Silly speeds while hydroplaning. Also, you can't run because the tipsiness of the boat, and gusts make you roll back on the transom and almost lose it coming off the boat. That is...if you aren't laughing your ass off.
Unless there is a current or shoals, or narrows and tidal currents as in the English Channel, 40 to 45 knots is no big deal in a good boat. I left LA for the Marquesas in that kind of weather. It was no big deal, except for the unpleasant corkscrew motion from having the wind and 12 foot waves on the quarter in a 34 foot sailboat. Wind against a current over a shoal is a bad situation, especially at a bar at a harbor mouth, or in a narrows with a tidal current. In the open sea, meh! Of course, here we had the Gulf current.
I was out in cyclone Bola in 89 .... 180k winds . Keel came out of water. Boat went sideways... the creast of the waves were getting cut off by the scrawls.... hardly moving forward because the waves were huge. Crazy times.
Great video with some good learning points. Especially the points about touch-screens.
Very informative. Thank you as a new sailor, I find this info to be very helpful.
I sailed in sustained 40 kt wind with reefed main, and a staysail (cutter rig), no jib. Boat was steady. Cabo Rico 38.
Superb, thanks for the comprehensive explanation with direct experience and prior briefing. I sail solo under rough conditions from time to time just to find the flaws of the boat, its setup (below and above deck) and my own decisions and skills. And😮I find many new every time I do it. Always worth, but later 3 days exhausted, it's extremely demanding. 😅
Great viewing. I don’t have the courage or the skill to sail in those conditions yet (or the foreseeable future) but great to see. Keep up the great vids. Ian
That last point about the touch screens not working so well is super interesting.
Excellent video and congrats for going out in that stuff. On launching our 39' catamaran we took her out in a "East Coast Low" as they're called in Sydney, 35-40 knots and 4-5m seas. Triple reefed main and semi furled headsail. What I really wanted to know was whether should could tack off a lee shore-- she could with flying colours, due to a very good design and large daggerboards. We also learned that she could handle more than the crew, I was vomiting on deck while she was happily, if ruggedly sailing along... Recently we've been hit by 40 knot winds off this coast and we are now putting a 4th reef in the main--the idea of putting another sail up the mast track in those conditions is not appealing and I think dangerous as we sail mostly 2 up.
The baddest sailboat of all time. Assent has such an amazing history. So glad Kit is carrying on his father's tradition.
Nearly but not quite. That goes to the Bristol Channel Pilot cutters! A quote in a book called messing around in boats goes something like this!
A gentleman sailor/explorer took on a Bristol Pilot cutter in the 1920s and needed to sail it around to the south coast to his home port and wanted to take somebody who understood the way the boats worked so he ended up in Pill, Somerset where he employed an ex westwardman who sailed on them since he was a boy..
When they were down in the bottom part of the Bristol Channel the weather came in and the owner who was on watch went below to wake the old Pill man to ask him that we need to heave to as the weathers really bad! Being at sea his entire life the Pill man woke instantly and asked what the problem was so the owner told him.. he rolled back over in his bunk and simply said “we don’t heave to in these boats” and went back to sleep!
@@PillSharks Is it a pi*** contest ?
@@12345fowler what?
Is she a Sparkman and Stephens design?
@@martinlang9615contessa 32 built by Jeremy Rogers. A fine craft!
Brilliant! Possibly the best explanation of heave to I have seen. Cheers
Excellent video really clear and not one wasted word..
The sea state is the most important.
This is an excellent exercice; but what I am most afraid of is the sea state with high waves with a short period; these are real killer for a small boat; even if the wind slowed down a little bit.
Congratulations for all the experience and demo : this is an excellent tutorial.
The idea of a separate track for the trysail is excellent. I wanted to install one on my own boat but then disaster struck in the form of a heart ailments and in a day sailing had to be a thing of the past. Some events in life suck.
Enough of self-pity; go out and train ! … And it's fun too!!!
Superb mic no wind noise at all,.,.!.?
Done the 30 - 40 knot run from Hythe marina to Yarmouth. Exhilarating to say the least. Surfing at 11 knots in a quarter tonner on a storm jib. All fine until something breaks!
Really super instructional session. Please consider other heavy weather instruction. Thanks!
First class informative no nonsense video. Thanks.
Finally 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
This is sailing and this is what people need to know. ❤
I remember 40 years ago on the helm of a 46 foot masthead sloop built out of hi-tensile steel.
Going hard to windward 40 knots, gusting to 50.
The spray stings a fair bit at those speeds.
Doing about 8-9 knots.
This yacht was rock solid and unfortunately another time took severe abuse when a rookie sail trimmer on the brace was ordered to “ease the brace” and he had no idea of the forces involved and WHAM the spinnaker pole smashed into the forestay.
The vibration thoughout the rig was horrendous.
The rod rigging never let go - ever.
Another time in a storm we pulled down all sails and went with the wind, I think we were doing 2 knots. I remember it well as the wind really forced you into the helm.
Thank you for your excellent reporting and incredible team effort in rough conditions.
we did did a race in 38Knts plus and it was a real bumpy ride. Everyone was falling all over the place everything in the saloon was on the floor it is just so much harder even turning the boat or just holding the course when you are doing 14knts down these big waves. Not sure the trophy we got was worth it, but good lessons were learned. I had no one doing foredeck as all my lines can be controlled from the cockpit and just hold on when you move around.
Great sugestions, i would add store the anker under deck, and if you have a roller furling and not planning on using it tie a rope around it, check your rigging as well before going out 😄
spot on, this was thorough and thought provoking . thank you gents
Very good exercise! We do that at the Müggelsee with a small, 18 foot, sailingvessel. Thank you. Ahoi from Berlin, Stefan
Good show! The crew performed well....better than a touch screen!
Very good video and suggestions. Excellent comments.
And, amazing sound!
That was a very comprehensive video, thanks.
Great informative video. 10/10 would love to try this style of sail training
Thanks for this good video. I have learned something was new for me.