<< Now my questions:
For you P15 sailors:
1. What do you consider an "ideal" wind speed for maximum
enjoyment and comfort?
2. At about what wind speed do you reef?
3. At what wind speed do you just stay at home or at the dock?
Thanks.
Lewis Baumstark
P15
Bristol, Tn. >>
Lewis,
I'll try to answer your questions from my perspective sailing Lake Tahoe on a
P-15. You'll probably get a lot of answers, many of them different and most
of them quite accurate. There is one answer that will fit all three
questions: It depends upon the skippers experience.
Now, IMHO, my answers:
#1. Ideal wind speed. I would say about 10 to 15 MPH. At that speed the
water is still smooth, the boat will move along at a nice clip with little
heeling and little need to be concerned about being over powered. You can
cover distance nicely and be quite comfortable. No thrills at that speed, but
definitely enjoy the peace of a nice sailing afternoon.
#3. When to reef. As soon as you think you might have to "in a little
while." If you wait a little while, you'll probably be sorry you did. Once
the lake starts getting choppy or I see wind lines coming, even if there's
not much of a breeze, I reef. I imagine that is at about 15 MPH wind. If I
get faked out and the wind dies again, no big deal, just shake out the reef.
It's a lot easier to shake out a reef that to try to put one in once the wind
pipes up. There have been times when I've reefed and unreefed three times in
an hour, when I think the wind has died and I see it coming again. I hate it
when that happens!
The weather radio certainly helps here. If NOAA predicts 25 MPH winds on the
lake and it's calm when I go out, I can be pretty certain that when the
afternoon puffs start coming up it won't be long before those puffs become
pretty hefty gusts. It is wise to invest in a handheld VHF with a weather
channel. Most of them have that feature. Granted, the VHF is a rather hefty
investment after all the other stuff you have to get for your boat, but it
will last years and could, at the least, make you much more comfortable, at
the most, save your life or that of a crew member.
#3. When to stay home. Most of the sailor's around here consider a "Lake
wind warning" or "Small Craft Advisory" as a notification to put down their
work and get out sailing on the lake. It is amazing to watch all the sails
suddenly appear when it gets windy. With a little time with your Potter, you
will probably find that she can handle some pretty rough going. You probably
can't. I personally usually draw the line when the weather is calling for
30+ MPH winds on the lake. It's usually the wind chop that makes it
difficult more than the wind. When the chop turns to white caps, the boat
starts bopping (old nautical term) up and down so much, it is not really
pleasant. The pitching of the boat also makes it really hard to keep the
sail filled with air and it becomes hard to hold a steady course. It also
make it really hard to get the boat back on the trailer. When the chop gets
bad, it is usually easier to motor, but even then with the pitching, unless
you have a long shaft (on the motor, or course) and/or a mount that allows
you to set the motor deep in the water, you will experience cavitation.
Again, this is my opinion, based on my experience and sailing primarily on a
mountain lake with really squirrley winds. A lot of the skippers in this
group who sail San Francisco bay, with it's strong winds and currents, seem
to enjoy going out in much rougher conditions than I do. While your boat is
new and you're getting to know it and develop your sailing skills, it is
probably wise to err on the side of conservatism. If it's too windy, go fly
a kite instead!
If you'd like to experience lake sailing at it's best, hook up your Potter,
hit the road and join us for the Lake Tahoe sail this coming August 13, 14
and 15. It will be worth the effort.
Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
No. Lake Tahoe, NV