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Heaving-To in a Flicka 1
Anyone have experience with heaving-to in a Flicka, in medium to heavy wind conditions? We have tried to practice in 20 knots or so, and find that the boat wants to point about 90 degrees to the wind, and slowly go forward... this with the headsail backed, the main close-hauled, and the rudder all the way to leeward (EDITOR: he means the tiller to leeward). We are sloop rig with hanked on sails. Ideas would be welcome!
Frank Bell
REPLY #1
We find that to heave-to, the main must be free, not tied tight; the headsail and the tiller hold the position...if you are heaved to by the headsail, you should be able to reef the main; if heaved to by the headsail, you can change headsails...e.g., only one sail is involved at a time in the process...
M
REPLY #2
The Flicka should heave-to at about 50 degrees to the wind without forereaching. Is your rudder to leeward or your tiller? The tiller should be set to leeward and lashed down with shock cord. If the bow is still not ~50 degrees to the wind, then I suspect your headsail is too large. African Moon, our Flicka, will heave-to with a reefed main and staysail or just the reefed main. If the boat still wants to forereach set a small sea anchor of some sort off the stern. Lin and Larry Pardey in their book STORM TACTICS WORKBOOK, discuss this storm tactic and using a large parachute sea anchor to hove-to. In the WebCaptain's opinion, this is "a must read" for anyone venturing to sea.
Rod Bruckdorfer
s/v African Moon
REPLY #3
Shortly after my delivery sail, I attempted to heave-to in my new Flicka. Conditions were 80 degrees temperature and NE Trades @25 knots. in the Kiawi Channel--seas 8 feet. The initial calming effect was pronounced, so much so that I took the opportunity to cook lunch and eat. After 10 minutes the effect amplifies. Not having a weather shore or a timetable, I found the effects very pleasant. Later while returning from Midway to Oahu, I encountered a storm 100 nm north of Oahu. I elected to heave-to and deploy an 8' diameter sea anchor (EDITOR: parachute). After 5 minutes had passed the heel was minimal in 55 knots of wind. The sensation was similar to anchoring in the lee of a reef and watching large waves atom-smash on the reef while enjoying a cooling breeze and spray. This is just one of many ways my Flicka has helped me to survive my situation.
Tim
s/v LEA
REPLY #4
Thanks... I meant the tiller to leeward! And yes, I've studied Lin and Larry's Storm Tactics... just having trouble making it work. I think you're right... the headsail's just too big.
Frank Bell
REPLY #5
YES! Pardeys book and The Drag Device Database are must reads if you are doing the storm thing.
Jack Harding,
s/v Rapport
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