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| Onshore breeze surf launching? http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=36201 |
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| Author: | Fa1321tx [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Onshore breeze surf launching? |
Im always looking for tips and this Saturday is the Dash or Leg 4 of the GT300 I will be taking my H18 and have a lake sailor guy (not knocking it) I never sailed with before crewing with me. The forecast http://www.swellinfo.com/surf-forecast/ ... texas.html shows on onshore breeze @ 10 kt with 2.5' surf whats the fastest way to get out thru the surf in these conditions? Thanks! |
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| Author: | srm [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
Bring a paddle...seriously. If it's light onshore breeze with moderate waves, paddling may be the only way to get out. Otherwise, watch and talk to some of the more experienced sailors. Getting your rudders down and your boards at least part way down is critical to maintaining control and keeping the boat moving forward. Be sure to launch with the jib out to help keep the boat driving and prevent getting stuck in irons. Light onshore breeze with significant size waves is the hardest to get out. Even a two foot wave can ruin your day if you don't have the power to punch through it. Do everything in your power to keep the boat from going broadside to the waves and pull the plug if it isn't happening. sm |
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| Author: | Fa1321tx [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
srm wrote: Do everything in your power to keep the boat from going broadside to the waves and pull the plug if it isn't happening. Oh its happening no pulling the plug on this one!
sm |
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| Author: | ncmbm [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 11:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
Here is the answer! Position your boat at the end of the line, you will need to know if the start is port or starboard. You will need to quarter the waves and will need to be able to fall off to gain speed. If another boat is beneath you it is much more complicated. By being at the favored end you can navigate for speed and wave angle without worrying where the rest of the fleet is. I have gotten hung in the middle on this type of start several times. If you cannot get an end position waiting a few seconds after the start can help. You get to see what the other boats encounter and can get clear water and air. Remember not to overpower the main in the waves, let the jib pull you out. Good Luck! |
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| Author: | srm [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
Fa1321tx wrote: Oh its happening no pulling the plug on this one! Easy to say while sitting at a desk behind a computer, hopefully it all works out that way. Really though, sometimes calling it off is the best move. Doesn't necessarily have to be calling it quits for the whole day, but when you've turned sideways and are taking a pounding or if you simply are not making progress out, many times it's best to head back in, re-assess the situation, and decide whether it's worth continuing to try to punch out. Sometimes surviving the day without breaking the boat is victory enough. sm |
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| Author: | Fa1321tx [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
I hear you but this event is but once a year and my boats insured. The wind will be present 15+ and the sea is 3'-4' now allot of the boats in the GT300 are having problems too about 75% of the pack is out at the moment! My safety would be the only thing to prevent me from doing the race. Tomorrow's forecast is looking about the same as Saturdays so I am going down to set up and practice launching. If the forecast is right it will be a broad reach for 40 miles so my main concerns are getting broached and the old fashion pitchpole of course. The Gulf never plays nice during this event last year no wind this year a bunch 2 years ago the sea was pissed! |
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| Author: | Byron@Myrtle BeachSC [ Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
I sail off the beach all the time with my Hobie 18. Here are my suggestions: - Talk over your game plan with your crew before launching. Make sure they know how to put down and more importantly how to pull up the dagger boards. - Have main and jib ready, but start with the sheets a little loose. - Decide which direction you want to head off once in the water. - Place your crew mid-boat on the side that will become leeward. - Helmsman positions behind the boat and toward the side opposite the crew. - Push the boat out as far as possible keeping it point straight at the waves. If possible, get out beyond the breaking waves. As you get into deeper water the helmsman can drop the rudders part of the way, but do not lock them in. - Turn the boat to bear off. - I prefer to have my crew get on first. Then I (helmsman) get on. - Keep weight leeward. This is a key point as it helps you stay off the wind and avoid getting into irons. - Crew puts down the daggers. - Sheet in and sail away. - Once you are safely beyond the breakers, lock down the rudders and move weight to windward. - If you get sideways to the breakers, get all the weight over toward the waves. Pull up the daggers immediately. Turn the boat toward the beach and surf in. Re-group and try again. P.S. When it comes time to come in, surfing the boat can be a blast. Be sure to keep weight all the way back. |
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| Author: | ncmbm [ Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
Byron, He is racing and will start lemans style with a line of boats. What you suggest is near suicide for where he is and what he is doing. What happens if the boat gets away from you in the break? This is a poor technique for the Myrtle waters. Get the guard to clear the water for you and get on when its floating, power up the jib, drop your rudders and square up to the waves. At the second breakline you can drop one dagger, once outside the break lock the rudders and drop the second board. I sail out of Windy Hill in N.Myrtle, you must sail off Myrtle proper or at the Cherry Tree as I have never seen another 18 in the water. This year I will be on a yellow 18 with a white and blue squaretop and blue spinnaker. Will be runnning wings as well. Come share a beer if you see me on the water. You coming to the Ya Gotta this year? Should be enough 18s there to have a single handed 18 class start. Hatteras will have some single handed 18s as well. |
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| Author: | Byron@Myrtle BeachSC [ Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
Admittedly, I am a pleasure sailor and not a racer. I have been sailing a Hobie 18 off the beach for a long time, but have not raced my Hobie. On the south end of Myrtle Beach, the beach slopes very gradual. During low tide, the breakers can be 30 yards out and shallow enough for the rudders to hint bottom. Having a wave push you backwards and the rudders to hit bottom can cause major damage. |
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| Author: | abnorm [ Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Onshore breeze surf launching? |
like so ... [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70lyZH3wGkY&feature=player_profilepage[/youtube] |
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