We went sailing in 40 knots to see what we could learn! | Yachting Monthly

It’s one thing dealing with heavy weather sailing offshore, but what should coastal sailors do when a big blow is imminent? Yachting Monthly's Theo Stocker set out in 40 knot winds to find out.
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[@jamesgraham6122]

Based on a lengthy career as a yacht delivery skipper, (though quite a few decades past :>) I might make a couple of suggestions.. Especially when alone on watch, use two straps to hank yourself to the boat, one very short, this will anchor yourself in place and avoid being thrown across the cockpit onto something hard.. like a winch.. the second, a lengthy strap, that if you need to unhank the short strap in order to make some adjustment, will still ensure that you're attached. Using a single strap by knotting and releasing can become tiresome and difficult when tired, wet, cold. Secondly.. reduce watch times progressively and before fatigue sets in.. I've been down to 30 min per watch on a couple of very bad occasions. Fatigue can be a killer in several ways.

[@harbourdogNL]

Great tip about the double-tethering, thank you.

[@alexandermenck6609]

That’s compulsory in offshore racing for a while now. It has been known by experienced sailors - as you are - long before.

[@kisero2222]

@@alexandermenck6609 transact races do not have guidelines on the number of tethers the sailor must have attached (it would be imposible to enforce). Is easy to validate what I say, simply read the rules.

[@peterweltweit]

I got distracted by strapping me on. Stopped doing that, crossed Atl. 5 times singlehanded and logged about 50 th. miles. And i am still here to tell the story...

[@genespell4340]

​@@peterweltweitand many didn't live to tell their tales because they weren't tethered.

[@lambertodgr8]

People used to tell me I was crazy for going sailing in bad weather.but my argument was that if you'd practiced in bad weather you wouldn't be surprised when it hit . I once went out rowing in a 40 knot gale in an 8ft Dinghy. I learned as much about rough weather boat handling in an hour than I had in 20 years .

[@SOLDOZER]

Thats just being stupid. You're not learning anything.

[@nebraskatpp]

That is s very good point and one we’ve done before. It’s great to take that advantage when you can use a different make and model to on those trips and even offer to those who may not get the opportunity very often. Your right, just keep an eye out for those who lose it though. They will kill themselves trying to save themselves. It happens, but if one is having a confident sail in rough conditions, it can be an exceptional learning experience. Remember, I’m not talking about wild weather conditions where the surface is completely white, just conditions to keep you on your toes and maybe sweat a little.

[@lmack3024]

Rowing an 8 ft dinghy in 40kt...what was that like? Can't imagine you could make much headway...

[@lambertodgr8]

@@lmack3024 rowed around in big circles to see how the waves affected the boat it was scary and tiring but if I’d capsized I was only a short swim to shore Without The waves I could walk it

[@the-naked-sailor]

Lambertodg..., I'm the same. I think you need to know how a boat handles in rough weather. By avoiding it, you're only asking for trouble. Like you, I was on a lake and close to show. Unlike you though, I was in a modified kayak (converted into a trimaran) that was only 7ft and used 200um builders plastic as my sail.

[@kevinlytle6215]

I have seen a few instructional videos covering this topic but none made things as clear. You covered many of the fearful topics in one logical flow that just makes sense!

[@johncampbell5890]

Interior needs more security.

[@bcdoak2525]

That is one of the best sailing videos I’ve ever watched. And I may have watched them all!

[@boathousejoed1126]

NBJS is a good at explaining his adventures too!

[@yahuchanon37]

Strong winds and the north sea showed me my limitations in a matter of seconds- took me 13 hours to battle out of it again. This can be a life saving video, thank you for making it!👍

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

And those conditions can occur just about anywhere and anytime. I once got caught in 35+ winds gusting to 50+ on the Columbia River Gorge in a blizzard in a 24-ft. Kent Ranger. My years of year round off-shore sailing off the Pacific coast prepared me for the event, but I never ever encountered as rough a conditions on the ocean as that time on the Columbia and with very little room to maneuver. to avoid running aground or collecting rock. And yes, the Columbia River can develop some good sized waves and turbulent waters. Still one of my most memorable sailing adventures shared with my young son and a friend who had never been on a sailboat before and became an avid sailor after much more time on my boat learning the ropes leading to his Captains license. Excellent post...👍👍

[@michaelgeraghty3989]

Great tips. Any blue water sailor can get caught in 40 knots or more. The first time it happened to me was in a Cat 1 hurricane. It would've great to have already had a little 40 knot experience under my belt. The good thing was that later when I was caught in 30 knots in coastal sailing it was actually fun.

[@doc2936]

Dude kills it. Wave breaks and white tops are safe for learning.

[@carlisle]

Assent was owned by Willie Ker well before the 79 Fastnet. It was his son Alan who skippered the boat during that race. Assent was the first keel boat I ever sailed on - probably around 1976 - having learned to sail on the same small reservoir where my family met and became friends with Willie. What a legend... Assent is looking good! The last time I saw her was in Victoria BC where I met Willie after he had returned from the Bering Sea; she was looking a little rough!

[@pcka12]

I used to race kayaks with Alan, happy memories!

[@brungarc]

For those who don't know about Willy Ker: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmXoIFufKaZjJI

[@samaipata4756]

I‘m not a sailor, would have loved to be though! As a former flight instructor I love the fact that you show, what it means if you get yourself in trouble and show in detail everything required to get yourself out of it! Very well done video and I believe some of your viewers will at one point in time highly appreciate what he/she learned out of it!👍

[@brownnoise357]

Having been stuck in a Force 10 plus for over 3 days in the Bay of Biscay, and so Seasick I was no use to man or beast. Best advice is don’t go there, and don’t go out in Force 6 winds either, or they can turn into Force 10 plus in the blink of an eye like happened to us. Frankly, this lot set a very bad example by even going out in Force 7 to Force 8 Winds, given Force 6 has a,ways been correctly considered a Yacht Gale, and they should be bloody well ashamed of themselves. 😡

[@bcdoak2525]

Lighten up @brown noise.

[@johngower4164]

@@brownnoise357 Really? The entire point of this was to explain professionally some of the issues in heavy weather sailing and to demonstrate that through prior planning and preparation it is eminently possible to sail, heave to and survive. It was clear to most (though clearly not all!) why they did this and anyone who actually sails will benefit. There's also no such thing as a "Yacht Gale"

[@brownnoise357]

@@johngower4164 If you have never even heard the Term Yacht Gale applied to Beufort Scale Force 6 conditions, then frankly you know sweet FA about Sailing. You could do yourself a huge Favour by printing out Copies of the Complete Beaufort Scale, and make sure to have several copies on you, should you ever set foot on a Sailboat. 😡

[@jdbothma9339]

It's never too late to learn!

[@user-Adam72]

Having been crew in a heavy gale on several occassions I can definitely say that any time you have to go forward is a VERY dangerous situation, and even normally minor issues become life threatening. The bounce of the foredeck combined with everything being wet, cold, and slippery means that you need four hands for the boat (and wish you had prehensile toes). Getting prepared before the weather gets bad, and practicing (like this video suggests) are your best action plan. You can very quickly find yourself having to get onto a foredeck travelling up and down 6-8 ft every few seconds, while trying to untangle a line or worse, pulling in a headsail, with no footing.

[@rob379lqz]

In 3 hours of sailing my 4 person Walmart blow-up dingy, the Florida Haulover bested me. 😢 Going to Target tommorrow to pick up a 5 person Pink Flamingo dingy and tender-unicorn dingy (as life-backup).

[@rick262]

@@rob379lqz It's a wise man who learns from past experience and upgrades his equipment in preparation for future challenges.

[@ChrisThompson-dh7mv]

It''s a good idea to practice, but surprisingly it's not statistically very dangerous to go forward in heavy gales. In the '98 Hobart and '79 Fastnet, for example, no one was lost from the foredeck. In fact I think there's a study somewhere, perhaps from US Sailing, that shows that the mid-deck is the spot where most people are lost from, although that may be because racing bowmen and bowwomen are often chosen for good balance and practise at it. In the Sydney-Hobart race you're required to come past the starting boat before the start with your storm gear all set, to show that it's ready to go. It's a great idea because it means that you're ready with it when things get hairy.

[@stefanomoretti3664]

and a prehensile tail ;-)

[@wilyjetset]

@@rob379lqz you'll also need a transom extension (I think costco sell them) to get all four outboards onto the flamingo if you're tackling Haulover

[@kurtism9040]

Fifty years a sailor but I really enjoyed this. A review that I will share again and again with crew and fellow lifelong sailor friends. Very thorough and easy to understand. Thank you.

[@sa25-svredemption98]

Having worked (and still work) commercial and patrol vessels, and sailing both yachts and square riggers, with many years working in the Southern and Indian Oceans, one thing I have to say is that old technology works. It's been around forever at sea for a reason. Those basic navigation devices, the paper chart (on deck, you just need a small one in a plastic case), a compass for bearings (I use a set of binos with an inbuilt compass), especially when doing coastal runs. Modern technology is great and make life so easy, but never, ever, ever rely on it! And for comms, rely on your HF/MF. SATCOM will work, but intermittently. As that cloud cover builds, especially if there is electricity in the atmosphere, your INM-C will take a hit. Rely on HF for your long range comms in rough conditions, as although you will hear a lot of ambience, you will still get messages in and out. I really cannot emphasise NBDP (Narrowband Direct Printing) when going outside of 40 degrees N/S. Your equatorial satellites will be way to far away by that point when atmospherics are involved, and while NBDP takes momentary hits, it works in any condition, and they plan for those hits! It works similar to INM-C, especially for modern systems that usually use both INM-C and NBDP on the same screen, in the way that MSI is accessed, but you cannot transmit on NBDP. Also, trained crew. I've been involved in way to many rescues because of lack of crew training. It's not about them knowing what to do, it's about them knowing what to do under pressure. And if you aren't completely happy with what has to happen, ask! Again, I cannot emphasise enough how crucial crew competence under pressure is in heavy weather! Things go wrong all the time with fully professional, full time crews in rough weather. Not dying is due to everyone being fully abreast of their roles, and the roles of the people around them. When the sea state is up, let the trainees observe from a safe position (or under direct supervision depending on circumstances and role), but you need crew competence to survive! However, this video has some great points and demonstrates a key thing many people ignore: train for the worst case scenarios. If rough seas are a possibility, train for them. Don't train light on, for when the going gets tough, everyone and everything will crack. Also, and this might be years of naval service speaking, but train for damage too. Learn what tools you need to do underway repairs so you can limp back to port. I have seen many boats saved because their crews have known where their repair kits are, and how to use them. I have also been in many searches and rescues where the crews have not known how to conduct basic repairs - and that has a much greater cost!

[@M_J_nan]

Thank you for sharing your experiences! Appreciated.

[@davidhowell7901]

Every USN sailor is a 'firefighter first' then you are your rate (job). Damage control is paramount when the hull is breached. Practice under adverse conditions is necessary.

[@sa25-svredemption98]

@@davidhowell7901 true, but that does not always correlate well outside of naval/coastguard/fleet auxillary service. Especially yachties and recreational/coastal mariners, the emphasis on sea survivability is just not there. Blue water sailors, yes (especially the ones that go the the extreme latitudes), but on the whole there are a lot of mariners who do not have that mindset, or even awareness. I remember going over a motor yacht with a mate, where the engine compartment was only accessible by hydraulic systems. I asked what the override system was for total power or hydraulic outage, and the agent just laughed and asked what I was talking about! That's typical of the recreational/coastal world, I'm afraid.

[@voornaam3191]

Too far away. Not to far.

[@KingArthurreturns]

Great write up dude, sound advice. Stay safe everyone 🇬🇧✌🏼⚓️

[@timallen6025]

Well covered ! We can all bang on about the storms we got through and lucked out. But it is the lessons learnt and reapplied that count….Everything just takes three times as long to do and is three times harder-And MUST be done with exquisite care. As you so so rightly do, have it all ready beforehand and give the crew a warm , hydrated,fed , safe and easy time of it conserving energy and alertness…The trisail and the storm jib /staysail really need to be set up and ‘ ready to go’..

[@danalloyd1733]

Just finishing my 2nd viewing of this video and I’ll probably watch it a few more times in the future. I don’t even have a sailboat, yet. Someday hopefully. Very well done and explained in a way my newbie brain could follow and understand. I especially liked how you took care of the crew by heaving-to for a break and building up the energy to finish off for the day. Just a little break like that could relieve stress levels that could have caused problems later on by continuing on with no break. Cudos. Keep up with the great videos. I’ve learned a lot from watching. Thanks!

[@gunterparr1830]

Fantastic! You are the right one to make a video about MOB recovery in a gale. This would be most welcome and valuable. Thank you for the great work you put into all this videos. Cheers!

[@YachtingMonthly]

Thanks. We would love to do a MOB in a gale video. However, having done real life MOB tests for the magazine before (www.yachtingmonthly.com/sailing-skills/man-overboard-tactics-that-really-work-for-couples-72293) we suspect it would be very difficult to do safely. It's something we will look into, but even this video took a great deal of organising on the safety side. I'm not sure we can, in good faith, put someone overboard in inclement weather. Of course a dummy is always a possibility, but we'd need to ensure our team were not being put in danger. We'll keep looking into it.

[@gunterparr1830]

@@YachtingMonthly I understand your point. A life sized puppet with a real man’s weight is already realistic enough. How to get the puppet onboard is for me the hardest to perform single handed… It’s actually scary how difficult it is. All the best from Austria!

[@danielgregg2530]

Lot of nice things to say about this video. Besides, it is a relief to actually see an internet video (this may be the first I have seen) done by somebody who speaks the language, almost always using proper terminology. KZbin is just swamped with self-styled cruising experts who don't even know what a "deck" is. It never ceases to amaze and even to depress me to see such persons who know less about how to talk about a boat than I did when I was 10 years old.

[@jeffcharles5858]

Outstanding!! Brilliantly done all round. Best heavy weather vid I have ever seen, kudos to the crew and Theo -. you hit every important detai ,and the after action review was spot on. Expect and prepare for the worst, then carry on and enjoy the very best! Your prep and attention to detail took this from a potential horrror show to a valuable and unforgettable but safe day at sea. Bravo!

[@ctndiaye1]

I'm getting anxious just watching this and it's not even dramatic. Thanks for the instruction.

[@waterboy8999]

Great video! I wasn't expecting to first part to be before you even get out on the water, which was brilliant. I learned a lot from this so thank you very much.

[@allenjones7433]

Interesting video. As a former yachtsman I have had my fair share of strong weather. My tactics in 40+ knots would be to heave-to. The Contessa shown would be ideal for this. By the way, I was in a major storm ( “pacific Storm” on KZbin) with winds in excess of 80Kns and a sea state with over 18 metre swells with breaking tops. Many yachts and a whole family lost. Not far from me was the designer of the Contessa David Sadler. We both sailed the same designed yacht a 10.5M Ganley Shadow. Steel. Both came through with minor damage. Handled this storm hove-to.

[@coreyriddell4726]

80knot Hove to doubt it. Eventually running under bare pole and putting some drag in the drink is the only option as Dacron shreds from bullet wind.

[@allenjones7433]

Not sure about your comment. I could point you to the relevant Adlard Coles publication that covered my storm experience and tactics. Lots of coverage in books etc. fully verifiable. I have over 45 years sailing in the Southern Ocean and between NZ and the Pacific Islands. I most certainly know about having bullet proof storm sails. Not too sure about your sail knowledge.

[@allenjones7433]

Nearly forgot. Quartermaster, the yacht that was lost with all crew was running under bare poles dragging a load of chain.

[@alexandermenck6609]

That was the Queen’s birthday storm. Congrats that you survived but there is a big part of sheer luck in it. As good as you may be prepared, as good as the yacht is your are sailing on, those where conditions in which you are in the hands of god. BTW running may work on a light displacement boat but a heavy cruiser will knock down sooner or later.

[@allenjones7433]

@@alexandermenck6609 My Ganley yacht was designed for the area I sailed in. Dennis (Designer) re-did calculations on steel thickness and its effect on waterline. He agreed with me that I could increase the deck and freeboard thickness by 1mm which would cost me a quarter inch of freeboard. included in his calc's was the addition of extra frames and deck beams. As a, then, volunteer marine radio operator I had over the years communicated with yachtsmen who had problems with issues like deck pumping etc due to lack of support. In the case of the lost yacht and family this was a Whiting 40 with a displacement of approx' ten tonnes. She was fibreglass. Your comment re heavy versus light displacement when running has validity. Fully equipped for a Pacific cruise "Quartermaster"would have clocked in at about 15-17 tonnes. Interestingly a similar design survived but was subject to some major wracking which caused seawater ingress into the accommodation due to port distortion. Quartermaster had one weakness in that she had enlarged ports which reduced the rigidity of the cabin top. Cause of sinking, who knows. She disappeared completely. only the liferaft was recovered. Thanks for your comment.

[@GordonjSmith1]

I really appreciate this. A practical example of preparation and dealing with conditions. I would also add that care of the morale and 'energy' of the crew is not often discussed however important that it certainly is. Excellent vlog.

[@boathousejoed1126]

Outstanding presentation! My personal mantra is "What if,What now,What next?"

[@ianscott3180]

Great video that brings back memories for me. I had a Contessa 26 for years a long time ago. A very wet, small and slow little boat. I am now in my seventies and have fonder memories of her than any other boat that I have owned. Many a tale was told in the King's Head in Lymington after a long trek back from France or Cowes 😀. Several times I have had to alter plans, run for shelter or ride it out. Keep up the good work guys and safe sailing everyone. Bon Voyage.

[@michaelbrownlee9497]

tiny inside, but a tough little boat. to be honest sailing on snall keelboats of that size is a lot of fun, and costs are low.

[@chrisburn7178]

Wet, small, slow but incredibly seaworthy, as the number of their like the have crossed oceans attests to. Also beautiful with their folkboat heritage, like the Halcyon 27 and others, which counts for a lot. We sailed a Liz 31 and a Twister both of which are a lot less wet, and a 1905 25ft gaff canoe-yawl, which was fast but VERY wet!

[@grahamlamond3179]

Excellent video. Might have been worth mentioning to have a good check over the boat once back in harbour to ensure nothing has chafed, or started to come undone or anything else which might catch you out next time you go to sea. If still at sea, then check as much as you can when the weather has calmed down.

[@Makoufilms]

Incredible audio recording for the wind conditions, very well made and educative, thanks

[@mikefriend7570]

Great video. As older sailors, my partner and I have rigged everything on our H28 to drop and raise the sails from the cockpit. This includes 2 reefing points and a furling gib. This winter I’m going to add lazy jacks so that if necessary we can drop the mainsail entirely. But as a result of watching your video and listening to the observations you make, I will also move some more important safety items closer to the hatch for availability

[@stuartcrane9409]

You’ve chosen one of the best boats to use in rough weather, a Contressa! Try that in a modern frying pan!

[@zeilgenot]

Great and honest video, good and clear instructions and - yes - the Contessa is a very suitable and proper ‘little boat’ ! Best, Harry

[@mathew5315.1]

Well done Theo for that final piece to camera, you looked knackered :-)

[@peter-raymondsmith7505]

A REALLY EXPERTLY MADE VID CLIP, & IT SHOWS EVEN WITH A SMALL BOAT THAT YOU CAN MANAGE WITH FORETHOUGHT, KNOWLEDGE, NO SCARY 👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@timdunn2257]

Unless there is a current or shoals, or narrows and tidal currents as in the English Channel, 40 to 45 knots is no big deal in a good boat. I left LA for the Marquesas in that kind of weather. It was no big deal, except for the unpleasant corkscrew motion from having the wind and 12 foot waves on the quarter in a 34 foot sailboat. Wind against a current over a shoal is a bad situation, especially at a bar at a harbor mouth, or in a narrows with a tidal current. In the open sea, meh! Of course, here we had the Gulf current.

[@Ashevillein]

Brilliant! Possibly the best explanation of heave to I have seen. Cheers

[@wildandbarefoot]

It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the boat in heavy weather. If you can do it in safety where people can see and know how you're doing. Far better than getting caught out. Keeping some friend in land on a VHF, maybe even letting the coastguard know what you're planning. It's reasonable if you expect to make a long passage in the future. A forty in the channel is different from the southern ocean of course, but it always helps to know how your boat handles in a blow. 40-50kph is sporty. It's best to be prepared for that , and worse.

[@BeeRich33]

Get out into some silly winds in a Laser. They can be very pushy to the point you dump, even if you're introducing a fake broad reach. Silly speeds while hydroplaning. Also, you can't run because the tipsiness of the boat, and gusts make you roll back on the transom and almost lose it coming off the boat. That is...if you aren't laughing your ass off.

[@youtubelivingonasailboat_1year]

Great viewing. I don’t have the courage or the skill to sail in those conditions yet (or the foreseeable future) but great to see. Keep up the great vids. Ian

[@gurglejug627]

Nice flow to that video - to the point and holds the attention - something worth its weight in gold when instructing: Thanks so much.

[@forestwalker8493]

This has been the best presentation on safety in a blow that I've seen. So many details were covered so well. Thank you. One topic I would like to see covered is the tethering system. We didn't have one on any of the IOR boats I crewed on, back in the day. I've been through two major blows in my time and now with my little 22' trailerable I hope to not sail through another. However, planning for the worst and realizing my balance isn't what it used to be, I am interested in just how to rig a central Jackline and, just where and why the anchor points are for the cockpit.

[@happychappy7115]

Done the 30 - 40 knot run from Hythe marina to Yarmouth. Exhilarating to say the least. Surfing at 11 knots in a quarter tonner on a storm jib. All fine until something breaks!

[@MandolinSunrise]

Great vid thanks! And thanks for the summary of some of the many details involved, really helpful. One thing I did wonder about, as a dinghy sailor, and this reminds me of fashion clothing for the ski slopes in the French Alps. 😊 (where your face is important): In the vid, maybe as a result of stress, you have a wet head and bare skin on your hands and wrists in a 30 knot wind. What about 5mm+ wetsuit/neoprene skull caps with ear holes? Not very pretty but saves a lot on energy/fatigue/errors/wasted food. More ‘let’s get out there’ vids please!

[@basildraws]

Really informative. A rare opportunity to see it all done step by step. Very much appreciated. Criticism: Big NO on the overbearing and far too loud music at 21 minutes. Please equalize/normalize background audio in your editing software. edit: oooh, speaking of audio, i have a question about your voice audio. I assume you're using some sort of lavalier with a deadcat for wind noise reduction? Would you be willing to share your setup? Your voice is crystal clear and there's surely a heck of a lot of wind but no wind noise. That's a MASSIVE accomplishment. I'd love to know how you managed it.

[@jacobpetersen9430]

Great sugestions, i would add store the anker under deck, and if you have a roller furling and not planning on using it tie a rope around it, check your rigging as well before going out 😄

[@martinlang9615]

I remember 40 years ago on the helm of a 46 foot masthead sloop built out of hi-tensile steel. Going hard to windward 40 knots, gusting to 50. The spray stings a fair bit at those speeds. Doing about 8-9 knots. This yacht was rock solid and unfortunately another time took severe abuse when a rookie sail trimmer on the brace was ordered to “ease the brace” and he had no idea of the forces involved and WHAM the spinnaker pole smashed into the forestay. The vibration thoughout the rig was horrendous. The rod rigging never let go - ever. Another time in a storm we pulled down all sails and went with the wind, I think we were doing 2 knots. I remember it well as the wind really forced you into the helm.

[@ozskipper]

Quick safety tip (I know the boat is protected at this point .. @6min 30sec). Never pull a headsail out of a bag without having the tack already fastened.. the Tack should be the last thing packed into a sail bag and the first thing out.. So if a nasty gust gets under it, you dont lose it as it is fastened before its out of the bag.

[@haydenrhoads6617]

Great informative video. 10/10 would love to try this style of sail training

[@franckbrunie4759]

Great video, great comments as well. Thank You. Another good complement would be how to cope/best compromise when no storm jib on board.

[@ToddBryantsr]

Comms enthusiast here -- there is a inexpensive option called a Throat Mic which can connect to handheld radios. It also comes with a earpiece so that you can hear what's being said on channel. The idea is to keep your hands free so that you can handle the tiller and lines.

[@cycharbormaster7171]

it would be good to also get a sense of how solo sailors manage storm sails.

[@charliemcgrain]

Delivery skipper, here. Alone or not, you have to be ahead of the game. I rig everything I will need before I depart and that includes a solid sea anchor I can actually dump from the cockpit with lines lead aft from the bow. As a single hander you can only expect to get a storm jib up, not a tri sail. As a single hander you might be looking at what to expect to achieve in survival conditions, rather than , is she still light on the helm...which can only be achieved with a crew of healthy young bucks. As a single hander you are happy to maneuver, not actually sail, keep your head up or present a tidy quarter, pull off a lee shore or avoid a beam to attitude.

[@thinkcasting3182]

As a solo I would stuff some towels in the fridge on top of those beer cans. The thin wall aluminum of the can will tear when jostled around and you will be greatly disappointed without.

[@rocykel]

@@thinkcasting3182 Priorities! :D

[@charliemcgrain]

@@thinkcasting3182 I only saw one beer can. These guys are reckless!

[@davidkennedy7549]

Pretty typical day where I sail in San Francisco. We get 25 to 30 knots every day...30-35 knots on frisky days. When I was kid, we did this without a motor.

[@viewfromthehillswift6979]

Much depends on the design of the boat. I've sailed in 40 pts in a solid Bluewater boat and it was surprisingly easy. In my first boat -- modified fin keel, spade rudder, low displacement, it would have been terrifying.

[@colbr6733]

A really excellent presentation of this aspect of sailing, particularly in the conditions. Ranking the Contessa 32 very highly as a seagoing yacht. It's interesting to me that modern yacht design and marine technology still isn't fully geared up for rough weather sailing. Only if an owner is specifically interested will it get the proper attention it requires.

[@stefanomoretti3664]

and still...some boats are just not designed to take really bad weather. Mostly heavily overcanvassed , with huge mans, genoas on roller furling and no second stay for a heavy staysail

[@buddymac3993]

Not just crew,but crew that can do!!!!🇨🇦😄

[@Yeaitstemp]

Your using the right boat my favorite of all time

[@roadboat9216]

This is a great idea and I have done this. First, I am a US Sailing instructor that taught a lot in San Francisco, bay and off shore. Well known for strong winds and seas as the norm. But when I bought an Alberg 35 that I was living aboard with my wife, we went up a canal for protection from a category 2 hurricane. After the worst had passed, sustained winds were 40-50. We decided to test the boat, well known for it’s good heavy weather attributes. We were sailing about 12 miles back to home port in the open part of Biscayne Bay. It was tougher than we thought. Part of the issue was the reduced visibility, due to rain. (That we didn’t expect, and this is before chart plotters and GPS). Navigation was pilotage and Ded Reconing. The boat handled the conditions well, with triple reefed main and storm Jib. Always good to practice heavy weather in at least semi controlled conditions as you, and we did.

[@bobkirwan9877]

Are they in a contessa 26

[@roadboat9216]

@@bobkirwan9877 Ah! Very nice boat.

[@wjsweet]

It's a Contessa 32.

[@BoulderMTBR]

Very well done.

[@worstcasedummy]

Very good exercise! We do that at the Müggelsee with a small, 18 foot, sailingvessel. Thank you. Ahoi from Berlin, Stefan

[@viewfromthehillswift6979]

I sailed in sustained 40 kt wind with reefed main, and a staysail (cutter rig), no jib. Boat was steady. Cabo Rico 38.

[@pl7868]

Great advice , a lot depends on the boat that one you took out is light and going to be thrown around , in a heavy cruiser you might take a reef or two on the main an go to sleep , it all depends on the boat , in 40 knots a wind surfer will probably pass you going fifty mph having fun while in a heavier boat they sit down to mashed an gravy and a roast , a factor is how long has it been blowing 40 and are the seas building from another direction , 40 knot squall and 40 knots on the edge of a developing hurricane are not the same animals , i was in the gulf in hurricane camille an it was like sailing in a train horn full of water , squalls can come up unnoticed an by the time you reef it's already passed by .

[@SailingWithDave]

Really enjoyed this video. Full of information and learned a few things! Also shows how sea worthy a yacht can be. I know the Contessa's are pretty good boats but there's nothing wrong with sailing in some high winds if you have the stomach for it. I personally love the idea of heavy weather and trying to master my skills in higher winds. Many thanks!

[@teeheeteeheeish]

A couple weeks ago I went out, I didn't bother to check the forecast and it turns out there was a small craft advisory. It quickly turned to 25 knot winds and 40 knot gusts and I was out on my little 22 foot swing keel! Needless to say I quickly dropped sail and motored my butt back in and had a fun time trying to dock! Luckily my slipmate was out as well, so I had all the room I needed to fight the wind.

[@PareAbas]

A very clear and educational video. Thank you for having thought of making a video with the basics of navigation in bad weather. and Thanks also to all the technical and editorial team for doing.

[@mikedevlin2048]

Excellent Video and great explanation… 👌🏻 I think the only thing I would add would be an explanation of how important communication is before, during and after any really heavy weather. The crew should know what they can expect and what is expected of them, finally a good debrief once conditions allow and everyone has recovered from the exertion and stress of the situation, is invaluable. It should also be noted that many “modern designs” are not as well suited to sailing in heavy weather as a Contessa or many other more traditional designs … the design and layout of everything from the hull shape, interior and deck / rigging are often focused more on space and comfort in harbour than at sea…

[@scottholman3982]

many people don't consider sea worthiness to be big selling factor.

[@ohnezuckerohnefett]

I have the article here right beside me. I am so happy there is a video to this. One of the best articles I have read recently. Assent is a treasure

[@PhilippedeBersuder]

I was alone in some storms on an Alberg Triton in the 90's, but I have a bike integral helmet. I get the idea from Eric Tabarly, famous french racer since the 60's up to the 90's.

[@petersoakell6950]

Clear, concise and well presented. Thanks for knowledge. Subbed.

[@martinrobinson9852]

An excellent training video, with lots of expert content. I enjoyed it!

[@georgewashington7444]

Great info! My solo sailing heavy weather tactics (17’ 2000# sailboat) If it’s the way I’m going run with it bare poles until breaking waves and danger of Broach then deploy Jordan Series Drogue. If I need to fight a Leeshore storm jib/third reef heave-too possibly fore-reach if breaking waves deploy Sea anchor. Mostly though keep a eye on weather and try to avoid it. As a solo sailor you Must practice these things beforehand in milder conditions and have all the kinks worked out.

[@paulgomm3157]

great bit of advice it a shame it can't be tort as a seperate ticket within the RYA syllabus during the winter it could reduce rnli callouts

[@chasehubbard5303]

Id be loath to try that trisail maneuver singlehanding. Separate track for sure. Great video, original boat rigged a lot like my P.S. Crealock 34

[@marky5493]

Heres another very IMPORTANT POINT - just because you got a safety line to stop you going overboard doesn't mean its gonna save you, in fact it can kill you too! Being dragged alongside a boat if, you happen to fall overboard is properly the hardest thing to get back on board as you are being pulled under the water with the speed of the boat. Try hanging and pulling yourself on the back of a ski rope on a flat lake even and see how long you last. safety ropes are really just there to collect a corpse and give a family closure. In no way am i saying DONT use one ,I'm saying be careful as how you use it and what to expect from it! Don't ask i came to know this either!

[@stuartcrane9409]

I’m sure you will agree to raise the storm jib without freeing the sheets was stupid! Otherwise good advice for amateur weekend sailors. Also a contessa is a proven tough weather yacht, if you had a lighter or high performance yacht it would have been a tougher job to manage.

[@Korsaro1]

Thank you . That is sailing !

[@flankengott134]

Very good video, thank you. And important to see - at 2:00 - that the fridge is loaded with some emergency rations 😉

[@OutnBacker]

A few years ago, I sold my Montgomery 17 as my age and physical abilities are noe catching up to me. One time, I got th eidea of sailing on Port Gardner Bay here in Puget Sound in similar conditions in november. Not 40 knots, but around 32-37 knots, waves breaking at 6-8 feet. I was never so scared in my life, until I realized the little Monty was thriving in it. Third reef in, headsail furled to 50%. I know, a furler isn't for storms, but on a small craft, the strength to resisitance ratio is greatly increased, especially on a Montgomery, which are over-built in every way imaginable. A bigger boat might have had trouble with that. Once I saw that the boat simply would not heel further than 18 degrees, my only problem was that the waves were so big that the boat was like a rocking horse, and my body was being beaten into a pulp from maintaining a basic human posture. It took a week for all the muscle and strain to go away. I sure love those old Montgomery's. IMO, Lyle Hess's masterpiece, despite all the other great boats he designed.

[@georgewashington7444]

I love it! I own a 2005 Montgomery 17 and have sailed it on Erie with much bigger plans for the future. I’m sure you know about Little Breeze Cal-Hawaii and Strawanza Cal-New Zealand!

[@OutnBacker]

@@georgewashington7444 Yes. I had planned on modifying my first M-17 (1974) to make the companionway water tight, but never did. I wanted to circumnavigate Vancouver Island and sail to Alaska in it. Injuries and having a job that was really a sea anchor kept me from it. Now, those are just the dreams of an old man.

[@FinnMcRiangabra]

If you fold the sail into the bag with the hanks and clew all at the opening of the sail bag you can make all of the jib (or storm jib) connections without a loose sail flailing around on deck (and eventually off deck and overboard). Sit on the bag, make all sail connections, then unfurl from the bag once everything is secure. I learned that one from my dad on a sketchy day in a sudden fresh gale on the Chesapeake Bay, USA. (And just dowse the other foresail into the fore hatch and deal with it later.) And what's the wording of the advice? "If you think you need to put a reef in the mainsail, you should have already put a reef in the mainsail."?

[@viggosimonsen]

Brilliant episode. Very informative. Thanks

[@williamstreet4304]

Awesome video. As a person who is considering joining the cruising community with significant passages, I truly appreciate content like this. I think I'll take my small boat out tomorrow. I've been in some relatively strong conditions in the Caribbean and the Pacific. I think I will practice these exercises starting in light winds before taking them into storm conditions. Tomorrow will be a good day to practice reefing the main and changing the jib while underway.

[@dancarter482]

Get your hove-to skills polished so it's second nature. Being able to park-up and take stock is worth more than any kings ransom when the going gets really dicey!

[@williamstreet4304]

@@dancarter482 I think I hove to 4 or 5 times in an 1100 NM Pacific trip last month. It's really easy if you practice it. But I saw it done differently on a video yesterday. This person was on a smaller boat (I believe it was a 32'). He was under staysail/trisail and wanted to maintain his tack due to sea conditions. So he pulled the staysail to the windward side and crossed the tiller to counter the staysail. I wouldn't want to try that under full jib in a 45+' boat. But it worked perfectly. I agree with polishing your skills. In another sport where I competed, we often said that the more tools you have in the toolbox, the more likely you are to survive. Your tools are the skills you have polished and your ability to choose them quickly and wisely.

[@tomasleal5011]

who edits this videos the sounds tracks are always so good.

[@hijan11]

Hi, this is a great video, thank you very much! I learned a lot! However, I wondered if the chafe on the storm jib sheets against the shrouds when heaving to could have been avoided by sheeting inside of the shrouds. That chafe could be a problem in a longer storm. Pics of the preventer for the boom while sailing downwind would have been helpful to me as well.

[@terohyvarinen4358]

Having sailed on the Atlantic in Force 10 winds for days. Sailing and taking care of the boat is actually the smaller thing. Mainly, having too much sails becomes very uncomfortable, but an ocean going yacht should stand more than the sails. Hours and days, the main thing is to take care of the crew's wellbeing and capacity. If all are seasick, exhausted, stressed and angry, there is nobody to take care of the boat and sailing. If you sail this kind of weather longer than a couple of hours, you have to be able to visit the toilet regularly, sleep, have something warm to eat and drink and so on. So, as you did, you secure all the lockers and loose items. The become dangerous very fast. As much as possible, you try to have a dry place to sleep. You make warm meals. Working on the deck is to be avoided. Should I tell you how changing a traditional head sail in 5 - 7 metre waves feels like? :D I guess, I could not do it anymore. Even in cockpit, you were your safety equipment. And in order to save your strength, you don't even sit without support. Every time the boat rolls, accelerates or decelerates, you need your muscles, which consumes your energy, which causes hunger, which is not so easy satisfy. The meal is not served on deck 9 in the bow section of the vessel. It is what you manage to make and eat. Thus, in order to work with your boat, navigate and communicate, you avoid exhaustion, hunger, thirst cold,, pain and you visit the toilet regularly even if it is hard. And you clean it after the visit! Seasickness and coli bacteria is, I guess, quite a nice compound! :D (And you don't keep your torches next to the main compass..)

[@PGW1970]

Excellent video, I enjoyed very much and learned things.

[@ross.neuberth]

Best advice for any sailor or waterman; "when in doubt, don't go out".

[@georgewashington7444]

Very true but on multi day passages sometimes it’s unavoidable.

[@alfredocat]

Brilliant video ..thanks.... (let's not forget to tie the anchor)............

[@majoy-osterlundfreeman5425]

I have been saling storms with 26&27ft sailboats...Almost like riding moto cross or tuff enduro😉👍

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Very good and interesting summing up..

[@peterbaarman612]

Again a video where you end up looking at a face in a cockpit talking non-stop. How about filming the sailing and the sea instead.

[@deewight9040]

Excellent video. I've been sailing for 50 years, the last 20 soloing a 57 foot, cold molded, center cockpit cutter designed by Henry Scheel. Every couple of years I would take my boat out in big seas and high winds in the middle of the night, hank on my storm sail, fully reef the main and hove to. I would also lock the rudder and try to steer using a 48" drogue on two winches. I am amazed at the people who I have met that have been caught in bad weather with full sails flying and didnt know how to reef properly and had no storm sails. they should all watch your video...

[@peterheiberg566]

Some plumbers putty in the spurling pipe might help

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

Just before I stopped sailing, I'd ONLY go out if a storm was coming in. It's no big deal. It's fun really!

[@ASDRONEDOC]

Cool! Personally, I am very firmly in the heave to camp, with a drogue, when it comes to storm sailing.

[@coryrain3937]

Great video! Next time consider something less stable. Having sailed a Prindle 19 for 6 hours in 50 knts during the R2AK, as well as many other small race boats in very serious storms, I can attest that the very quickest way to learn how to sail in heavy weather is on a non displacement style sailing vessel. It is unforgiving. The scale of the waves to your beam is very dramatic, and quick appropriate responses at the helm are absolutely essential every moment. In a cruising boat, the displacement and height off the water are very forgiving, you can be doing everything wrong and still not get thrown overboard. Heck, you can even have a crew member filming everything.

[@RulgertGhostalker]

Well Do The Math..."geting out there in it not the only way to find out if your rig will handle it, ( thank gosh ) .... Harken has calculators for sheet loads, ( support>selection tools > calculators ) but it is up to you to rework any vector and ratio math ... but you could figure your sheet loads, on your working sails, the hardest you have ever pushed them without things breaking..... then see at what wind speeds your storm sails get to the same load.

[@jabjab1010]

Well done.

[@luckylongshotz]

Having grown up sailing in Wellington I am used to sailing in heavy weather. One season we kept records and they showed an average wind speed of 35 knots for the season and winds of up to 80 knots on heavy days. The key things we learned was firstly to prepare the boat for the worst no matter what the forcast. In particular make sure all the reefing lines are in the main before you go out. Secondly it is a very good idea to take ski goggles with you. This is because from about 50 knots upwards it gets very hard to see if you are sailing into the wind and ski goggles help. Finally it makes sense if you are going into open ocean to talk through what to do if things get bad. We did not do this and once got caught in steep waves with 100 metre high faces. It was so bad we thought we were all going to die.

[@nebraskatpp]

Holy Mother….. it would be hard for any sailor to match my time on the water, and the hundreds of different makes and models I’ve sailed on. Everything from my main job of boat sales to repairs, lessons, events coordinator to Olympics, movies and it would still be hard to match my time on the water (but when I turned in my hours to the yacht club, there was always some member who had made a crossing and back or whatever and I would come in second, and yes, I couldn’t wait to get to work each morning for decades. However, Captain luckylongshotz, I have never encountered conditions such as that. Even having to leave your slip every time prepared and rigged for super heavy weather conditions would make it a poor boat sales arena. Nobody wants to sail (who lives to sail) in UN-FUN conditions. Especially life threatening conditions. Now, in my sailing history, I have sailed with and met many Aussies and Kiwis and learned early on that they are excellent sailors… any also many of them were…. Crazy! More of them were Aussies however. One fact about New Zealanders that always impressed me was how a nation of only 3 million could win so many gold medals at the Summer Olympics… BTW Kiwi Peter Montgomery ( the voice of Australia) got to be a pretty good friend and he was a good and knowledgeable sailor who should have been the worlds sailing voice IMHO.

[@marktahu45]

You're dead right - Cook Strait is no place for the fainthearted when a storm blows through, came off the top of a 60footer in there and it seemed to take forever to hit the bottom. Does give you bragging rights tho.

[@oluja95cro]

Is it possible to use furling sails for this wind or you have to have separate sails for 40+ knot wind?

[@Ploddingalong67]

Useful and informative. Thank you.

[@georgesheffield1580]

Try it in different hull/ keel designs , length of fetch , etc .

[@kopeducati]

Same remark : max 1 on bow + 1 at mast . The moment crew goes forward , rest moves back . Here you have 50% of crew at leeward 😮😮

[@966Mako]

Obviously getting bashed isn’t something you want to do for days on end. But to me it’s proper sailing. Man against the elements, in moderation.

[@marccohen5477]

Thank you. I learned a lot.

[@cloudsculptor1]

Superb mic no wind noise at all,.,.!.?