Storm Sailing

I'm sorry, but your post sounds like noise to me.



I sailed in the Indian River in FL. It wasn't near as choppy as say, Lake Atlantic. I used to sail all the time in 30+ winds and a Hobie is a hell of a thrill at those velocities. A beam reach with two out on the trap feels like a stone skipping across the water. I'm really glad that you velocometer is calibrated. While you are worry about why not, some of us are more interested in "how" and having done it.

I know there is a huge difference between inland waters and the ocean, mostly to do with chop versus swells....

I also know that ocean winds tend to blow in a steadier fashion than (inland) winds that have blown over barns and mountains and trees.....

Last summer, on a hot sunny day, we got caught when a couple of clouds built up real quick into a localized storm cell. When that cell let go, it was the downdraft that was scary, around 15 minutes of 30 plus knots, of UNEVEN but powerful wind. Lucky I saw this coming and ran for the shore. At 20 yards out, I had my son grab one shroud and jump overboard, we lifted the D/Boards on the 18 SX and raised the rudders, my wife grabbed the other shroud and we hung on for dear life in 30" of water. In the middle of this maelstrom, my jib furler line let go, and within 2 minutes my jib was toast.

Every other small craft on the river that afternoon capsized or turtled. While I like going fast, and am comfortable in stronger winds, I choose very carefully what kind of wind and what kind of wave condition before we venture out.

I recall seeing a picture of a Hobie 16 from the Hobe Worlds held off Port Elizabeth in South Africa, three on board, jib tied to the forestay, and this Hobie was screaming along....survival mode to be sure....has to take it's toll on boats, equipment and bodies.

When you've met someone like Derek Hatfield (Around the World in Open Class 50's and 60's), and he tells you about pitchpoling at Cape Horn after 26 hours at the wheel.....that stuff's for him, not me...I say 'sail fast and sail safe.'

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Gotcha. Maybe this will be a little more clear...when people make claims of successfully sailing Hobies in 50mph wind, 99% of the time they've overestimated the windspeed by a longshot. When they make claims of sailing Hobies in 80mph wind, they are full of sh!t.

sm

I hope this helps a little.

Hogwldfltr, I too sailed in the Indian River during the Dennis storm event. Myself and two of my friends were out of school because of the storm and we had a "wild hair up our @#$", so we decided to go sailing; instead of the beach. We loaded up his Hobie 16 and headed out to Parrish Park in Titusville (For everyone T'ville is located on the Indian River Lagoon 10 miles west of the Kennedy Space Center).

The regional Florida Marine Patrol Office was and still is located there. The marine officer on duty came over to ask if we were really going to go out in this stuff. According to his instruments sustained winds were averaging between 35-40 mph. Gust to 50+. He advised us he would not be able to assist us if we needed help on the water. We noted his warning and told him we would check back in upon leaving for home.

We sailed from the 406 Causeway, south to the 405 Causeway and back several times that day. Two of us out on trap, and the skipper hiked out using the tramp straps. Needless to say we were screaming. We sustained no damage and came home safe.

However it should be noted that this weather event at that time was Tropical Storm Dennis. Winds over the state of Florida never got stronger than TS winds. In fact the storm weakened as it came ashore over the Keys and meandered up the middle of the state and came out near Brevard County. It did not become a hurricane until after it skirted the Carolina coasts and headed out in the Atlantic. So 80+ winds were not present......Sorry Hog....

I'm sure you could check the NOAA archives if you wish....

It might have been "just" a TS. But fun to sail in nevertheless.

_________________
Paul

2013 Tandem Island

My crew weight is 450lbs total for storm sailing (3 of us). I'm going out in the 30s everytime I get the chance & really enjoy it. I've already recruited a fellow adrenaline junky for a 50+ storm. I'll tie the jib off based on what I'm reading - in the event we're lucky enough to catch a 50+. No one is going to come out and help if (when) we capsize. The plan is simply to let the sail soak until the winds die down. I'm on an inland lake, so there are rarely waves beyond 3' in a storm.

In a twist of fate, an older H16 sail with reefing points was for sale in town. I bought it this afternoon.. it has reefing points! I’d hate to damage my good sail, so this is now my official storm sail:

_________________
Anderson, SC
1987 Hobie 16
Learning to sail.

I'll tip in here. Been my experience in a 50kt noreaster you cannot hear yourself yell. The rain feels like bullets hitting your face and the waves and surf would kill you abruptly. And that experience was from the beach which I was having trouble standing up on from the force of nature. Be serious please.

Just posting this for fun. No Battens up top? Photo from Hobie Worlds - South Africa 2005 Wed, Oct 26th.

_________________
Anderson, SC
1987 Hobie 16
Learning to sail.

No where did I say 80+ winds. We had different report in Melbourne and yes it down graded coming across the penninsula and was considered category one as it went back on the water from what was said on the radio at the time. Good data. And was it 35 to 40 mph. No way in hell. I've gone in those winds many times and it just wasn't. And it certainly wasn't knots being reported which makes it 10% faster. I suspect you saw more of the edge of the storm. So it is fine.

On a totally different issue, are you still in the area? There is a fellow on this forum looking for a way down in Melbourne to get ocean access for his hobie. Do you know how. His post is about switching from a Sunfish to a Hobie.

But to bring some tidbits to light from earlier posts:



There is some real BS for you. Focus on the use of the word 80ish if you like. Remember that these words above were accurately calibrated.

Annacat, thanks for finding and posting that picture from South Africa....

We have an informal challenge at our Sailing Club, here on the Ottawa River...
The top speed, verified by GPS, is held by Capt Bob and Henry, on a Dart 18, at 37.8 kph. Between them, they have 102 years of sailing experience, and are both in their 70's. I have lots to look forward to! Can't wait.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Best quotes so far.

So I take it you'd be one hiding in the sail loft instead of playing in the wind. Gottcha.

I remember threee guys were once trapped in that situation, rigging in fine weather ending up sailing for their lives.

These three guys were sailing three boats, 2 Lasers and one... classless boat i guess.

The guy on the classless boat, which was called Mago de Oz(Spanish for Wizard of Oz) got so seek from the wave that couldn't control the boat any longer.

One of the Lasers was having a great time when suddenly his mast broke down.

Then the Wizard of Oz capsized and went turtled.

finally the WoO turned into a kebab and that was its end.
This one is recent, it happened in January i think...
All three survived and tell the story every time a new member joins our sailing clubs.

After some thought last night while I was asleep. I would like to apologize for misunderstanding and misstating the wind speed. The tracking information from 11:00 till 2:00 when we went shows that it was about 45 to 50 mph but doesn't say what the gusts were. Anyone want to sketch in what gusts would have been?

http://www.stormpulse.com/hurricane-dennis-1981

I've sailed with kiters & windsurfers in Columbia Gorge in blows up to 35 knots (gusting to 40+), but above that and I get my ass back to shore. They are amazed seeing a cat out in those conditions. When it is blowing I almost always head up wind form start, that way if it builds (as it can and does in the Gorge) I can bail back to the beach down wind. Anything above 25 knots I put another body on the boat. And in anything above 30 knots IT IS SURVIVAL SAILING. You pray you can get close enough to the wind that you can tack, because you sure an hell do not want to have to jibe. AND the swells get HUGE, to the point of loosing the horizon when in troughs and you don't get spray, you get buckets in the face. This talk of 50 knots and above sounds like a bit of puffery.