spray in the cockpit & small craft advisories

[drams_1999]

I was hoping for some advice by the more experienced Mac Sailors out there. The other day I went out in Biscayne Bay, in an area I am very familiar with, during a "small craft advisory". My destination was upwind, and, it being night time, I didn't want to use the sails and elected to power from point "A" to point "B". The bay was choppy. As soon as we left the channel, I started getting spray in the cockpit even at relatively slow speeds (about 6 knots). I figured since I was already wet, I might as well raise the boards and full throttle to point "B". Naturally, this increased the spray exponentially. Ballast was full for added stability in 20-25 knot winds. I tried different courses +/- about 30 degrees but nothing seemed to help. I didn't try to adjust the engine trim, (thought about it later). I have a bow-mounted fresh water tank, but I have noted in the past that it doesn't seem to drag the bow down too much, especially with myself in the cockpit to "balance her" out. Admiral was down below (per my instructions) staying dry at the table. Wind was off the port bow most of the time.

My questions:

1. Is it ok to go out during a small craft advisory? I feel that with my experience level, it is ok, given that due care is taken, in protected waters like the bay. After all, we need wind to sail.
2. How do you guys deal with spray? I was having a hard time seeing what was in front of me (there was plenty of light from the moon, and the city lights were behind me which also helped me see, but at times the water was so much in my face I felt like I needed goggles to see. I had to slow down several times to clear my eyes and see what was ahead. In the USCG we usually had a wind shield to hide behind, and we would glance around the leeward side to see what was ahead. Obviously we don't have that in a Mac, so what do you all suggest? I was thinking along the lines of a nice hooded rain coat and goggles with rain-x on them or something......

Anyway, your thoughts and advice are welcome.

P.S. we had a wonderful sail back from point "B" to point "A" the following day, with the main reefed alone we were doing about 5.5 knots (fluctuating between 4.5 and 6.5) and heeling from zero to 30 degrees, (30 degress due to wave action, about 15 from wind on the sail alone). I am lucky, my Admiral thrives on watching the clinometer reach higher numbers.

Thanks again to all who contribute.

[SkiDeep2001]

drams, check this out. From the mods section - http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=561 Rob

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

If it's rough enough to throw a lot of spray an appropriate speed is usually 5-7 knots. The speed is normally limited by the sea state more than the spray level, and I find once the seas reach 4'+ you have to slow down to keep the boat in the water. Going faster causes it to launch of the top of waves and slam down which should be avoided in these lightly built boats particularly with the ballast tank full. Even going that slow there have been times where the spray is so big it lands behind the boat when we are only doing 5 knots. Thankfully on our boat we are snug and dry in the cockpit when this happens as we will be fully zipped up in our full enclosure. As you can see below we don't even have to close the companionway hatch, don't forget to dog the bow hatch however.

Here's one of those days. Seas were 4'-5' closely spaced, the winds was 30+ knots out of the south, directly on our starboard beam as we crossed Puget Sound. We slowed to 4-5 knots with ballast full and took the waves at about a 60 degree angle. This lets the boat ride up and down the face instead of punching into it and reduces the slamming. The spray was still spectacular however.





I find frequent spray actually keeps the windows of the enclosure pretty clear so visibility isn't that bad. Still I'd love to put one of these in the front window of the dodger. I think their smallest would just fit.

http://www.seaviewinsert.com/home.htm

[ROAD Soldier]

I have to agree with Duane on this one. Here in the lower Chesapeake Bay it is at its widest and the ocean gets pinched coming in so it increases velocity and depending on which way the tide and wind is going will determine my save speed, not spray. 5 foot waves going against the tide are totally different then 5 ft ones going with the tide. Also those 5-7 knots is right on the money with waves that big. 5 knots with ones against the tide, and 7 knots with the tide. Sorry no pictures on this one because I don’t even have a dodger yet let alone a full enclosure, so my admiral would be down below and my phone camera isn’t waterproof.

[Chinook]

Duane's comments on speed, angle to the seas, and value of dodger/enclosure are right on. That said, 25 to 30 knots on "protected" waters like Puget Sound or the Bay of Biscayne is never comfortable or fun. I think visibility is very important under those kinds of conditions, and running at night adds a level of risk that I wouldn't want to take.

[nchogberg]

Drams,
Hit me up. Where are you? The wife and I keep Hog Heaven at Black Point. We were out Sunday also for the afternoon, about 12 - 5. Sailed south, toward Turkey point and saw the airshow at homestead, we were headed back when the Thunderbirds were performing. Winds were 25 - 30 mph with gusts to 35.

We had just a hankerchief of genny out with no main. A couple times the waves hit from the side and it felt like another boat hit us.


My wife like yours loves it when the boat is rockin and rollin. The only reason we went out was we had no place to go, so we mostly sailed the most comfortable route and motored back. Opposite of what you did, so you prolly headed north then sailed south home. Other than that, the Mac is not made for this stuff and typically wears you out with all the wind and waves. But we needed a fix.

For spray there is nothing you can do short of getting a dodger. We dont have one and just keep the speed down in those conditions, still a wave or two will come over. We have found that in the 3 years we have owned HogHeaven the need for a dodger is minimal at best. Of course we only use the motor to get in and out of the channel and sail 95 % of the time.

Later...
Nels

[ROAD Soldier]

A dodger is needed not because water is hitting you but because the water hitting you is cold. Probable not an issue in Florida. I you can be like me who doesnt have a dodger "YET" and still goes out in December-January but then again I am origianal from Minnesota. Froze my brain decades ago.