Purchasing A Sailboat For Heavy Air Conditions
Topics: sailing, sailing lesson, sailing instruction, purchasing a sailboat
This article describes the proper process to buy a sailboat. Unlike most boat purchase advice, written by manufacturers and designed to persuade the reader to purchase one brand or another, the suggestions in this article are written from the perspective of a sailboat buyer and are drawn from the collective wisdom of the author’s dozen or so sailboat purchases as well as conversations with many, many other sailboat buyers.
This article will focus on applying the buying process to purchasing an appropriate vessel for heavy air sailing.
The Buying Process
We believe a multi-step process to purchase a sailing vessel is ideal. Our initial emphasis is on assuring that purchases are based on a detailed description of how and where the vessel will be used and then identifying the best set of vessel characteristics for the specific type of sailing to be completed. Critical vessel characteristics include: sail plan, rig design, keel shape, keel depth and displacement. In this article, we apply those characteristics to heavy air sailing areas.
Let’s start by describing heavy air sailing areas. Heavy air areas are sailing areas that average 15 knots of wind or more. Moreover, wind speeds exceeding 20-25 knots are not uncommon. What areas would be considered heavy air areas?
Typically consistent winds in these speed ranges are driven by global weather and geological phenomenon. Some of the best known areas qualifying as heavy air areas would include the thermal winds of San Francisco Bay, the Caribbean trade winds from December through March and most latitudes below 40 degrees South.
Vessel Characteristics For Heavy Air
To begin, we assume you have already identified your usage in detail as we recommended in Part One. Next, its time to find a vessel that best fits the usage in heavy air areas. In heavy air areas we will not be concerned with powering up to the boat like we would be in light areas. Most of the time, we will easily reach hull speed and our primary concern will be assuring stability and steerage. To accomplish this, we want a flexible sail plan that assures the vessel can be controlled and safely sailed on all points of sail in the expected strong wind conditions.
The first vessel characteristic to consider is keel design. While cruising in heavy air, we look for stability and stiffness (resistance to heel) more than maneuverability and weight reduction. In these conditions, the full keels shine. The improved steering, resistance to turning and full keel length are all desirable characteristics provided by a full keel. In addition, full length keel allow for shallower drafts than fin keels (while maintaining similar resistance to heal), permitting access to more ports of call while still maximizing stability.
This is not to say that fin keel boats can not perform in heavy air, they can. Only to say that in heavy air the full keel boat can provide ease of steering and good stability without excessive draft.
The next two factors to consider are sail area and sail plan. The key to safely sailing in heavy air is to reduce the sail area to match the increasing wind speed while maintaining a balanced sail plan. In order to accomplish this, we want a very flexible sail plan with many configuration options. Now is the time for cutter rigs and multi-mast rigs such as ketches and yawls. The increased number of sails on these rigs allows for far more flexibility in sail area and sail placement and gives the sailor many more options to keep the sail plan balanced with less and less sail area.
A sloop rig simply can’t provide all the configuration option available with these other rigs. Also, the largest drawback to these rigs is eliminated in heavy air. While cutters and multi-mast rigs have increased drag, this is not a concern in heavy air since we have more than enough wind to reach hull speed anyway. For consistent sailing in heavy air, cutter rigs and multi-mast rigs are the way to go.
Finally, we consider displacement (i.e. weight). Sailing vessels get stiffness, resistance to heel, from reducing sail area, hull design and many other factors. One factor is displacement. More displacement helps increase resistance to heel (for a given hull design), so it is desirable in heavy air where large wind forces will increase heeling forces dramatically over light air conditions. In addition, big winds, particularly on open water, create larger waves with more potential to slow or stop a vessel when going to weather. To keep moving, we want increased displacement so that there is more momentum to keep going through bigger waves.
Summary
With the right vessel, heavy air sailing can be safely and enjoyably accomplished. When sailing in heavy air, a primary consideration is assuring we have a vessel that remains stable and maneuverable as the wind force increases. This means matching (reducing) the sail area, while continuing to balance the boat, to the increased wind force. The best boats for these conditions are the ones that provide the most flexible sail plans. Multi mast rigs and cutter rigs are superior to sloop rigs for this purpose. A keel design that helps keep the boat steering straight through large wind forces and waves is also a help, so full length keels are preferred over fin keels. Finally, stiffness, the resistance to heel, and momentum to move through larger waves are critical, so more displacement is favored over light air conditions.
Capt Dave Bello is President of Fair Wind Sailing School, (www.fairwindsailing.com) an ASA affiliate sailing school offering sailing charters and sailing instruction in the Virgin Islands, Chesapeake Bay, and on Lake Erie and Lake St Clair.
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Photography: Portraits (1)
If you have to use flash, make sure everyone is ready before you take the photo. Instead of taking just one photo, take two or three photos and plan on using the last one.
Overcome Anxiety And Become A Confident Speaker (2)
This is a powerful method that will bring you to a calm and confident place. Learn how to focus on the audience and connect with them. If you do not connect with the audience and establish a relationship with them, the total presentation will be a loss for both you and the audience.
The Drama Of Fly Fishing (3)
Fly fishing rods are long and light and combined with heavy lines that provide the casting weight. Fly fishers use the weight and design of the line to cast the fly quickly and efficiently, without reeling in the line between casts.
Writeable Laminating Pouches To Protect Your Documents (4)
Both thicknesses have the same matte properties some are just heavier than the others. Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for www.MyBinding.com He has written numerous articles on laminators, laminating pouches, laminating supplies and more.
Photography - Finding The Right Light (5)
Do not get too caught up in it, though. Play around with your cameras settings and know how you will be able to achieve the best pictures at night.
The Importance Of Mega Pixels (6)
You will typically pay about $250 to $350. 5 Mega Pixels This will produce beautiful 8x10s, and even a nice 11x14. You may even be able to get even larger to a 16 x 20.
Buying A Home Gym? 5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Home Gym Purchase (7)
When clients ask me about buying a home gym, here are 5 things I tell them to get the most from their purchase: 1) Buy a Well Rounded Piece of Equipment: Unless you have hundreds of square feet in your home to dedicate to multiple pieces of equipment, you should look for a home gym that covers all the major exercises (including the ones you don't like), such as chest, back, abs, legs (hamstrings & quadriceps), shoulders, biceps and triceps.
What Are Hybrid Automotives? (8)
Now the question arises that why it was needed. The answer is simple, it was realized that an average person would not be able to afford gasoline in the near future.
Winning A Bass Fishing Tournament (9)
A bass fishing tournament can be a great way to sharpen your skills, earn recognition and possibly win a cash prize. Many people compete regularly in fishing tournaments. Some people even earn much of their income from competing in such tournaments, one after another.
Secrets Of Budget Travel For Families: Real Tips You Can Use Before Your Next Vacation (10)
However you can place some staples inside your suitcase and check your luggage under the belly of the plane. Peanut butter, bottled water, crackers, fruit and cans of tuna make great snacks when the kids are hungry.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Lose The Excuse And The Weight Rebutting: The Top Six Excuses On Not Exercising (1)
Now that you know some of the most common excuses people give for not exercising, why not start now? You may think to yourself that you really do not want to.
Avoiding The Shimmy Shake While Taking A Picture (2)
Consult your cameras manual to learn how to do this. There are also things you can do yourself to help minimize camera shake. Start by planting your feet firmly on the ground.
Getting Started As A Digital Photographer (3)
Sooner or later, you'll have to deal with other purely digital recording mode issues like white balance and in-camera sharpening, but it's usually safe to accept camera defaults on those fronts for starters.
How Cardio Fitness Programs Accelerate Weight Loss (4)
When you perform the above exercises, you should slow down to a stop at least once and check your pulse to check your heart rate. In order to check it by hand, you would have someone time you for six seconds and then multiply that number by 10.
Manipulating Your Images (5)
If you have a color balance tool, you can do this by turning your reds and yellows up at the expense of blues. Or, if your image software supports duotone, give your image a brownish tone.
Taking Great Travel Pictures (6)
Turn on the camera, take a couple of test photos, and ensure everything is working correctly. Clean your digital camera using a cleaning kit, being careful not to scratch or damage the lens.
5 Must Know Tips For Air Travel With Lighters And Matches! (7)
Don't buy lighters while traveling and expect to return home with them, unless they are packed in your carry-on or on your person. 5. Torch lighters are still prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage.
Antique Desk Furniture Historical Comparison (8)
The desk unit was incorporated into a chest of drawers to conserve space. That piece is in fact made of maple, probably in the 1950s or 1960s. Bodart Furniture Co.
The Amazing Truth - Asheville North Carolina Real Estate (9)
The city of Ashville makes sure that its residents are enjoying life and the community spirit by hosting numerous events & fairs through out the year. These events keep the community coming together; build harmony & a mutual love of their city.
Real Estate In Hendersonville Has Diverse Natural Settings (10)
These features make a trip to a Hendersonville real estate agent worth considering. Natural beauty and quaint downtown atmosphere are the features to make a trip to a Hendersonville real estate agent.