|
|
|
|
While reading rec.boats.cruising, I noticed
felt compelled to write:
Going out on yards to reef used to be what good seamen did. Do any of
you still do that, shame! So, before you rant about seamanship and
going up on cabin tops, I want to see you on a yard 100' above deck in
a winter storm, otherwise, your just blowing smoke.
You've never seen me rant. I said I prefer to reef from the mast base.
I said I have seen folk who apparently never go forward struggle when
trying to turn across weather to allow them to reef or drop sail. As
it happens, I don't actually care whether you agree with me or not;
I'm capable of accepting your differing opinion.
Many newer boats only have a single furling sail so changing headsails
is never an issue. However, on my boat at least, sitting on the
foredeck is probably safer than standing on the cabin top so changing
the jib was never a major problem. BTW, I recently changed to roller
furling and will not go back. It has made my life much easier and I do
a lot more sailing. especially single handed.
I wasn't arguing against furlers, but thanks for the elucidation. I
was talking about changing sail or removing from a furler in a blow. I
see how wrestling a frenzied, whipping headsail to the deck wouldn't
be a problem for you, but moving to the mast base is a terrifying,
life-threatening experience. Frankly, whilst we'd all rather be
reaching in 15kn on a calm sea from the cockpit; it isn't always
possible.
In a recent thread about broaching in a squall, there was a discussion
on just this topic. It would have been much less an issue if the
control lines were led to teh cockpit. In a broach, I am sure that the
cockpit is a better place to be than on the cabin top.
I'm sorry that I can't follow how running the halyards back to the
cockpit somehow mitigates a broach, but I did read that thread. From
memory it was from someone with little experience who got caught out
by a 30kt bullet. The location of the halyards would have hardly
compensated for their lack of experience, in what is a reatively
routine occurance. In fact from memory I think they had problems
trying to round up, and getting blown off / down when stalled. Not a
problem if you set up to be able to reef running downwind. How do you
reef from the cockpit running downwind, yourself?
Rig your boat any way you please, but please, no more bs about doing it
the difficult way making you a better seaman. From where I sit, the
smart seaman is the best and the smart one does what works best for
him, not what seems "salty".
I'm not much given to bull****, that was my opinion. On my boat, I
would never be able to reef downwind without going to the mast, so if
I have to go to the mast to reef, I may as well terminate the halyards
there. If I tried to round up, the apparent wind would likely take my
rig straight down, so I have to rig to reef downwind if necessary.
Perhaps you are having a bad day? I'll leave it at that.
Ian
|