"Jeff" wrote in message

The wind force on the typical 30 foot sailboat in a 30 knot breeze is
about 700 pounds. And that's without the sail up.

That statement is without fact, merit nor credence.

I use to sail my 25 footer without firing up the engine for a season. One
of the few times I used it was to raise a well set anchor in a crowded
anchorage with a strong breeze. Even though I was 30 years younger, I
could just barely haul the boat up to the anchor with sails set, and that
was probably 500 pounds on the rode.

A complete load of hogwash Jeff. Even if the forces approched such herculean
parameters.... the winches would compensate easily.

I bet even Ole Thom could easily manage a 40 footer. The only thing to
overcome is inertia....

With a 40 footer, the strain goes well over 1000 pounds. Yes, there are
probably a few tricks you can play, but just hauling hand over hand isn't
going to do much.

What is it about inertia you people can't seem top fathom? Once the vessel
starts moving in a direction it is easier to maintain that movement. It's
not a matter of strenght... it's a matter of smarts

There is no way a 30 or even 40 ft sailboat places a 700lb static load to a
mooring when into the wind. Surge loads are not viable for this equation
since they can be timed out.

Now here is the kicker Jeff... I indeed have hand over handed my 6 ton
sailboat into 30 kt winds from a lee dock in Great Slave Lake. It wasn't
really that difficult.

If you say it's not possible... I have to assume you've never actually
attempted it. Until you do... refrain from further input. You know not of
what you speak.

CM