.....some answers to common questions on bad weather,
....for those who have no intention of ever leaving dry land
"Wotsit Like in a Storm then?"
On finding out we are keen sailors, people usually ask "Whotsit like in a storm then?"
The answer of course is wet, bumpy, uncomfortable and very tiring - and sometimes frightening - oh and I should mention that it goes on for hours and hours, like some roller coaster ride that you can't get off.
But for 99% of the time the weather is fine for sailing and, when it isn’t, only the foolhardy put to sea when they don’t have to. Over the years, new techniques have been developed to keep yachts safe in heavy weather, and this, together with new stronger modern materials, has greatly contributed to safety at sea. Cruising is a very safe hobby providing you are prudent.
Safer out at Sea
Most people who don’t sail have totally false picture of sailing in the open sea. They often are very suprised to learn that a yacht is far safer out to sea than near the coast, that the sea can be rougher and more dangerous in the shallower water, and that near the land there are more things to bump into! Another often held misconception is that it is important to be able to swim -until you point out that unless you can swim 20 miles or so in rough water this is a redundant skill!
In my opinion the reputation that sailing is dangerous is due, in no small part, to the exploits of the ocean racers – who are completely puddled - and whose rescues make the headlines. Ocean racing is as different from cruising as F1 racing is from everyday driving.
Reefing
The method of dealing with storm force winds in a sailing yacht is straightforward and involves progressively reducing the amount of sail exposed to the wind as the wind speeds and forces increase.
Reefing or shortening sail, as this is called, also helps to slow the boat down, reduce the stresses the boat is subjected to, and helps keep it controllable. Ultimately with all sail removed the boat will be driven by the wind pressing on hull, mast and rigging alone – and even then under "bare poles" the boat can be driven too fast! At this point techniques have to be employed to slow the boat down which involve putting drogues or sea anchors in the water to act as a brake.
The strongest winds I have sailed in peaked at 65 knots and that was in a 40ft Yacht. (If you want to know what 65 knots of wind feels like, just stick your head out of the car window when you are doing 70 MPH down the motorway and its raining.) I shall be very content if 65 knots remains my own personal record! On that occasion I followed the advice of older and wiser sailors and ran before the storm (ie sailed downwind) without coming to any harm.
In extreme conditions the biggest problems occur when the yacht is picked up by a breaking crest and hurled down the face of the wave into the wave in front. When this happens the boat, propelled both by the breaking water and the forces of gravity surfs at high speed down the steep wave face,hits static water of the wave in front and capsizes, and this is when serious damage most frequently occurs.
Using a Drogue
For the future, my chosen method of dealing with storms, - now that I am old and grey, is to deploy a Jordan Series Drogue and then go below for a cup of tea until conditions improve. Not only does this technique protect the boat, it also protects the weakest part of the boat, the crew. Lets hope it works.
The Jordon drogue is trailed from the stern of the boat controlling the boats speed and stopping it surfing or turning broadside onto the waves.The Jordon site, which explains the work that went into the design, is well worth a visit if you want to know more about the Series Drogue design.
A graphic example of what happens when a boat is picked up by even a small wave can be seen by following the link below. Notice all is well until the boat literally trips up.
What can happen when you surf down a wave
How bad can it get?
Well if you want to frighten yourself have a look at some of these links below and you can see for yourself.
This next link takes you to a ferry just off the New Zealand coast in a serious storm. I bet the bar takings were down that trip! I understand that the ferry weighs 700 tons. This was filmed from Lyall Bay in Wellington, NZ - Feb 6 2002. One of the biggest swells for about 40 years - at 13 metres.
Sea Rescue
Why run before a storm if you can? Well its more comfortable to go with the forces of nature rather than against them, simple as that! These guys below are doing the exact opposite and going out against the storm on a rescue in unimaginable conditions. I believe the opening shots were taken off the Isle d'Ousant, the north west corner of France and known as Ushant to generations of British sailors. There are also some spectacular shots of other rescues too.
I understand that L'Abeille Flandre, named as the "watchdog of the Ushant traffic lane" has protected the coast of Brittany for 2 decades and has rescued 195 ships. She was, for 20 years, Europe's most powerful tug.
Frankly I am amazed any ship can handle this treatment...
L'Abeille Flandre
Continuing the theme of professional seamen doing remarkable things, here is some footage of the Cork pilot going out to board a large container ship in a storm. The cameraman captured the trip out and back but not the pilot boarding.
Puddled Ocean Racers?
And finally here is a clip of some thoroughly puddled racing types in the BT Global Challenge that I mentioned earlier. Can't fault there courage or determination but personally I think there is more fun to be had sitting in a car wash - without a car. Still it takes all sorts.....
BT Global challenge - Rounding the Horn