Storm Sail?

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
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DaveB
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by DaveB »

Getting a sustain winds of 40 knots in a thunder storm are often during the summer here in Florida, 2 years ago I was comeing back from Sanibel Beach to Picnic Island to raft up with 3 other boats and trying to out run a almost black line of clouds behind me. I had that 50 hp honda wide open to get to a protetive cove and just put down two anchors but not set yet and got hit with up 70 mph winds (was told by a camper on the Island that on the nearest weather bouy 2 miles from us.(I know you people who have 90 hp would have arrived early and had the anchors set, so no If you had :( )
We draged until the Fortress F11 set but stearn was only in 2 ft. of water from beach and beach had Astralian Tree stumps in 1 ft. of water and we had to fend off the boat that seamed hours (30 min. acturally) from putting hole in boat.
We came out fine with a light scratch on port side when we bumped rails on another boat we were suppose to raft up.
All boats anchored ended on the beach and all but one needed Sea Tow to pull them off.
Leason learned: Anchor in open area on a windward Island on the Lee side and have outboard going.Also use the Knowledge you have learned and stick by it.( by this I mean I had a option to go to Popcorn Bay thats very well protected and closer but chose to beat the storm, I lost) :x
Dave
PS: getting hit with rain at 70 mph is almost like bb gun pellits hitting you
Catigale wrote:A furled stock genoa in high winds will be blown out quickly, after which the clew will likely fail....life would then get interesting as the sail unfurls in high wind...I'm guessing above 40 kts sustained things will go to hull in hand basket pdq.
Last edited by DaveB on Sat Apr 28, 2012 12:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Phil M
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by Phil M »

DaveB wrote:Getting a sustain winds of 40 knots in a thunder storm are often during the summer here in Florida, 2 years ago I was comeing back from Sanibel Beach to Picnic Island to raft up with 3 other boats and trying to out run a almost black line of clouds behind me. I had that 50 hp honda wide open to get to a protetive cove and just put down two anchors but not set yet and got hit with up 70 mph winds (was told by a camper on the Island that on the nearest weather bouy 2 miles from us.(I know you people who have 90 hp would have arrived early and had the anchors set, so no If you had :( )
We draged until the Fortress F11 set but stearn was only in 2 ft. of water from beach and beach had Astralian Tree stumps in 1 ft. of water and we had to fend off the boat that seamed hours (30 min. acturally) from putting hole in boat.
We came out fine with a light scratch on port side when we bumped rails on another boat we were suppose to raft up.
All boats anchored ended on the beach and all but one needed Sea Tow to pull them off.
Leason learned: Anchor in open area on a windward Island and have outboard going.Also use the Knowledge you have learned and stick by it.( by this I mean I had a option to go to Popcorn Bay thats very well protected and closer but chose to beat the storm, I lost) :x
Dave
PS: getting hit with rain at 70 mph is almost like bb gun pellits hitting you
Catigale wrote:A furled stock genoa in high winds will be blown out quickly, after which the clew will likely fail....life would then get interesting as the sail unfurls in high wind...I'm guessing above 40 kts sustained things will go to hull in hand basket pdq.
Why anchor on the windward side ofan island in a storm? I don't follow the logic.
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DaveB
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by DaveB »

I didn't say to anchor on the windward side of a Island. I said the Island was the windward.
I guess I didn't word that right. The Island is the windward side and to anchor on the lee side. I corrected it.
I might add even on the Lee side of the Island, Thunderstorm winds have known to do a 180 degree after the Mass passes thru. But the most heavy winds are in front of it. Much like a mini hurricane.
Thanks, Dave

Leason learned: Anchor in open area on a windward Island (you anchor on the Lee side)and have outboard going.Also use the Knowledge you have learned and stick by it.( by this I mean I had a option to go to Popcorn Bay thats very well protected and closer but chose to beat the storm, I lost) :x
Dave
PS: getting hit with rain at 70 mph is almost like bb gun pellits hitting you
Catigale wrote:A furled stock genoa in high winds will be blown out quickly, after which the clew will likely fail....life would then get interesting as the sail unfurls in high wind...I'm guessing above 40 kts sustained things will go to hull in hand basket pdq.
[/quote]
Why anchor on the windward side ofan island in a storm? I don't follow the logic.[/quote]
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Chinook
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by Chinook »

I know what you mean about getting hit with rain in high winds. We were out on a friend's 32' Caliber on Cape Cod Bay when we got caught in a squall. I think wind speeds were in the 50 knot range, at least that was the speed on the only occasion I was able to check the guage. It did feel like being peppered with bb's in the face. We were well off shore, and dropped sails and motored into the wind till the storm passed.
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seahouse
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by seahouse »

DaveB and Chinook – Hey you guys, I know what you’re talking about; it’s just like motorcycle riding in the “olden” days with open-faced helmets. It was hard to keep your eyes open even with glasses or goggles because of the stinging of the raindrops on your face. Ouch!

(Except, unlike you, I could pull over at an underpass for shelter). :wink:
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Divecoz
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by Divecoz »

Well This trip is taking place............. They are flying my brother down 1st class hahaha..
You should have already seenin my previous post what they bought for $14K!!!!!!!!!
Well a friend of theirs who is also making this voyage...... JUST BOUGHT! a 32 foot Hunter( sailed Daily) with Life Time Mooring Ball in St Croix Harbor for?????????????? $500 !! Not Junk Not Beat Up.. Right PLace at the right time from Just another fellow who decided to GO HOME (USA) and said.... screw it..!! I am OUT OF HERE !! Hahahaha
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Gazmn
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by Gazmn »

JUST BOUGHT! a 32 foot Hunter( sailed Daily) with Life Time Mooring Ball in St Croix Harbor for?????????????? $500 !! Not Junk Not Beat Up..
Ouch! My jealousy hurts :P

Fair Winds re: your brother, tho
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Divecoz
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by Divecoz »

Well the Insanity Continues.. But at least now, they are going to now spend 2 days ... day sailing the boat before leaving Grenada and heading for St Croix.. Hahahaha Crazy..
ronacarme
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by ronacarme »

Our 2001 x too has hank-on headsails.....the stock 130sq ft working jib, a 200 sq ft nylon drifter for light winds and a 25 sq ft storm jib which is built like a tank , with much heavier dacron cloth and piston hanks than the working jib. Our X balances well with the storm jib (flown on a pennant) and either the full or reefed (90 sq ft????) main. Our X sails to weather fairly well with the storm jib and reefed main, tho not with the reefed main alone. We always reset the CB line to try to balance the helm (balance sail plan CE against underbody CLR), but the reefed main alone still does not drive our X to windward well.
The downside of hank-on headsails is the danger of going on the foredeck in rough weather to change headsail area, thus the need to reduce headsail area early and clip on to jackline when leaving the cockpit in a blow..
The upside is that headsail shape and area do not change accidently and your storm sized headsail is unlikely to shred in high winds, possibilities with a roller furling jib or genny.
One man's opinions and follow at your own risk.........Ron
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Phil M
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by Phil M »

I have a storm jib that is required tobe hanked on, but with my roller furled headsail, I have never used my storm sail. I would not ever remove the furled sail to put on the storm sail. So it sits in its bag until I can figure something out. Hank on sails and roller furling do not mix.
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DaveB
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by DaveB »

You have a jib halyard, use it on the 2nd pin hole of the headsail chain plate. Than clip on the sail. I did away with this halyard to deduce windage but if you may think your going to get in Force 6 or greater winds leave it up but if you have a tight 105 jib and furl that to wind conditions , that would be perfered.
You can't reef a Stormsail hank on.

Dave
Phil M wrote:I have a storm jib that is required tobe hanked on, but with my roller furled headsail, I have never used my storm sail. I would not ever remove the furled sail to put on the storm sail. So it sits in its bag until I can figure something out. Hank on sails and roller furling do not mix.
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DaveB
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Re: Storm Sail?

Post by DaveB »

I was born on Cape Cod and spent most of up to 35 years before I sailed South. I always loved digging for steamers and cohougs and great stripper bass fishing.
Water temps. in summer is around 68-72 degrees Bay side and 82 degrees South side. 3 ft. tide range south side, 13 ft. north side with only 4 miles of land seperating them at Yarmouthport.
I always launched in late March on Cape Cod, had to bribe to get mooring in first.Sailing in snow is a long time passing. :)
Dave
Chinook wrote:I know what you mean about getting hit with rain in high winds. We were out on a friend's 32' Caliber on Cape Cod Bay when we got caught in a squall. I think wind speeds were in the 50 knot range, at least that was the speed on the only occasion I was able to check the guage. It did feel like being peppered with bb's in the face. We were well off shore, and dropped sails and motored into the wind till the storm passed.
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