Great Storm Video 55 knots 20ft Waves

[Suijin]

It amazes me all this jawing, already, about how the bimini is a poor design, that they should have taken it down, that they should not have been sailing/motoring to windward. Sheesh.

Sometimes you get hit with weather you did not expect, either a squall or a system that develops into something more than forecast. It happens. In those instances taking down the dodger and/or bimini can be more dangerous than leaving it up and dealing with the consequences. I'd say the majority of fabric dodgers frames are held upright by the tension of the fabric, and if they are well designed they should withstand 55 knots. It's when they are loose or start to come apart that the trouble starts, like in this case. And yes you can put in hard struts instead of jungle gym webbing straps but that can make taking down the canvas and frames more complicated. Maybe the boat is raced now and then, in which case the canvas would be taken off for those events. Maybe the boat was just purchased and the canvas was slated to be replaced after the delivery. Who knows.

As to motor sailing into those seas, might have been the prudent thing given the forecast and the best way to get out of the system. We have absolutely no idea. The boat seemed to be handling it fine short of the canvas situation.

[barnakiel]

An ignorant crew. Fold the dodger and bimini. Do not keep any excess crew in the cockpit. Do not work barefeet, avoid exposure, hook in. Save equipment, conserve stamina.

One never knows how much longer one will be forced to sail in this mode.

Silly behaviour of less experienced people.

b.

[Kenomac]

Suijin,

I agree with your post. The thread and video was meant to be enjoyed, not criticized; showing what can happen out there.

[Pelagic]

Lol Ken, that lady did not look as if she was enjoying it...
.the two guys behind the wheels did....
Just an observation, NOT a criticism.

[daletournier]

Hi Ken, for some reason I can't open the video, are you able to send a link?

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Hi Ken, for some reason I can't open the video, are you able to send a link?

Sent.

[daletournier]

Ok, time to get dodger zips fixed.

[Kenomac]

I listened carefully to the audio, seems like the crew had some listening or questioning orders issues. The skipper clearly tells the one fellow to "don't worry about it " as he's fussing with what remains of the dodger, just before the guy unzips it anyway after saying "the stitching has come out." And the woman is questioning or rather suggesting that someone "'should bring the main in," which would in my opinion make matters worse. The main appears in a few seconds of the video and looks to be furled in to less than 20% and being used as a tri-sail.... which is appropriate.

We've had this happen a couple times on our boat... crew not listening and questioning orders. It always makes matters worse.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by DDabs

Good friends of mine. This is on a 2016 Jeanneau 54.

DDabs,

Would your skipper friend mind filling in some of the details? It's always nice to get his version and solutions. I really like the video, which I think illustrates the issues that come up when the weather turns ugly. I wish more people would post similar videos.

[Tetepare]

My dodger has survived numerous wind blasts over 50 knots from the aft, and a few from the bow over 70 knots. Not a problem at all. I would not remove my dodger for any "normal" wind conditions, and I'd have to say that if I were caught unexpectedly in a longer-term severe wind event I doubt I'd have the time or ability to go remove it, as easy as it might be.

Last year a neighbor's Hunter with new bimini was exposed to 20 minutes of 40+ knots and 5-10 minutes over 70 knots. It was unscathed. That said, one of the bolts that hold the clamshell to the propane grill on my boat ripped out and almost lost the grill in that same storm.

[barnakiel]

For the crew to be listening and not questioning orders the crew must understand what is going on and what is asked of them. This is to say some level of competence is required not only to give orders but also to take and execute them.

Let's not make too many assumptions on their competence while the video may contain vague clues that it is otherwise.

Such things are very educative. Look, listen ... and avoid making your own mistakes!

Cheers,
b.