My question is this. The wind in my opinion increased to about 18-20kts
with gust far exceeding this. I tried to 'heave to". As soon as I thought
I locked the sails to hold me in that position, the wind would shift and I
would do a complete circle. This pretty much kept me in my seat. I know
the freeboard is fairly tall, but in this case it was like a sail. Mostly I
single hand. I was real leary of going forward into the cabin and lower the
main to reef. So I closed it up and used myself as balast the best I could.
I also dumped air as soon as the gust started. How can you reef in such a
condition.....? I would have reefed prior to going out if the conditions
warranted it...but, forcast was for 10-12kts. So here I am in the middle of
the lake with nothing but bass boats running for the ramp. In middle
Georgia, you just don't ask bass boaters for assistance. They cannot figure
out why anyone would even get on a lake without a "fishin pole" :)... I do
not have sail slugs and my boat is a 1998 P-15. I have taken the advice of
many of you in putting weight forward and sitting forward. I thank many of
you for your inputs on many subject matters. It has helped me by just
reading of all your experiences.
Thanks again for great reading on my lunch hour each day....
Mike Wetteroth
P-15 "Fifteen"