|
We weren't trapped out this time. The sea breeze was not strong enough. In the past, I have spent an entire day jumping waves in the the surf line - and trapped out while doing it. On the East Coast, from New Jersey south to about Vero Beach, Florida, the beach is a smooth sandy slope with a sand bar approx 200 or 300 hundred yards offshore (changing with local conditions, storms, etc.). Leaving the beach you should concentrate 100% of your effort on boat speed, eg rudders down, sail trimmed, and weight forward. Trapezing can be done with a well-experiened crew, but it can be very tricky. Once past the shorebreak, then the crew and/or skipper can trapeze.
I like jumping the surf going out, but I have to tell you, nothing is quite as exhilarating as dropping into a 6'-8' swell, well before it begins to break and then holding your position when it begins to break behind you and riding it all the way to the beach. Sometimes, if it reforms (stops breaking after passing over the outer bar) you can tack out of it and go back outside to catch another. Once the wave is breaking you are locked-in to a straight line to the beach. Historically, I have found on the H-16 about 5 degrees to the swell is all you can turn once you have caught the wave and that becomes zero once the wave is breaking.
PS: Also my crew is fairly new to sailing, two light air weekends - no trapezing - so I sailed somewhat conservatively.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
