Crew of SV 'Elle' Abandon Ship

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

? for me? This boat was a passport 47. tried staysl with various reefed main. main alone with helm hard alee. I thnk the Pardey's go into some heaving to tactics involving a block and tackle attached to stem and stern...not sure if I'm remembering that right. But proper heaving to has been elusive for me in my various boats, even in flat water. With big waves like the hatteras situation, even if the bow comes up, the big seas push it down. The boats that hove to well are designs that have gone by the wayside, long keel, full forefoot included. (JMHO)

Correct-o-mundo. The fact is if you want a rest in a nice regular sea you can get most designs to heave to , sorta. Most fin keels lie almost abeam which is far too dangerous.

As a survival tactic with these types of boats in high winds and big confused seas. You find they simply tack or gybe and sail off uncontrollably. Active techniques are needed. Dashew has written quite a bit about this and doesn't support heaving too