Heck, 20 mph winds and one foot waves is calm weather for us up in the San
Juan's. I have an older boat, #629. I have totally redone my boat. I do
mostly single handed. So I relocated all the blocks and cleats to the edge
of the cabin. Without leaving my seat, I can raise or lower my sails. I can
also make any adjustment from my seat.
The first thing I do when I get hit with a high wind, I immediately spill out
the wind and turn into the wind. With a quick motion, I tighten my downhaul,
boom vang and clew outhaul. I want to make my sail completely flat so I can
spill the air. And I mean make the sail completely flat. Every thing I have
is designed for quick release. I have a loop at the end of my clew outhaul
that is easy to reach and pull.
I have sail slugs which makes it easier for the main to come down. I have
main halyard marked where my reef is. In high winds, I back my jib as I go
into the wind. Quickly, I release my main halyard to the reef mark, pull my
downhaul and clew outhaul for the reef position. The reef clew outhaul is
different from the regular clew outhaul. This is done faster than it took me
to type this. When I have the boat under control, I will secure the reef
points.
I practice often in light winds to check that everything is set up correctly.
And I practice to be able to be fast when something happens. I also have
right beside me my safety harness and safety line. It is already hooked in.
I also wear my life vest at all times. They make them so comfortable that
there is no reason why not to wear it.
Where I learned this is racing my Laser. I have taken many concepts from
Laser Sailing for the 1990s by Dick Tillman.
Cyrus #629
Bellingham, WA