THE KNOWLEDGE
SKIPPERS’ TIPS & YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
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THIS MONTH’S EXPERTS
HAMISH SOUTHBY-TAILYOUR grew up cruising on his father’s gaffers before sailing professionally. He now cruises with his family from Plymouth
TIMOTHY LONG sailed a Hunter Impala around the UK solo at the age of 15 and is now looking for support for a Solitaire du Figaro campaign in 2024
LOU LUDDINGTON is a nature photographer and writer with a PhD in marine biology. She recently spent three years aboard her Westwind 35
VYV COX has sailed for more than 50 years, initially racing dinghies and catamarans, and for the past 25 years, cruising yachts. He is a Chartered Engineer
KEN ENDEAN is an ex engineer and pilotage enthusiast who cruises a twin-keeled Sabre 27. He has written several sailing books including Channel Havens
Practise heaving-to, whatever the weather
You should run through and be familiar with your boat’s characteristics for heaving-to in different conditions.
Just because you know how to do this in principle your boat will behave differently to others and differently in varied sea states and wind speeds, and will depend on what reefs you may have in at the time.
Often the main sheet is not long enough to allow the main to be fully free so a simple lengthening strop is required if you have a clip fastening for your mainsheet block to the track. An alternative is to undo the figure of eight and unreeve the sheet from the block/ jammer part of the set up and attach an extra length of cordage. I like to keep this designated line/ strop stored with the main clue reefing strops so it is in a known place. This is simply because if you need to heave-to it is usually needed in a hurry to sort out a problem or MOB. Its rare to heave-to for lunch or supper anymore. We all appear to be in a hurry, even at sea!
The genoa reefing line should also be marked appropriately to match the reef in the main and it may need to be adjusted before tacking onto the hove-to tack so that the leach does not rub on an unprotected part of the inner forestay or catch on the radar or forward mast spinnaker fittings. Practice single-handed and make sure your crew know how to do this. It will instil confidence.
There are many nuances to set this up well and they will always be particular to your boat and conditions. However it does appear to attract attention as the last time I practised this 6 miles south of Plymouth sound, three boats altered course to check whether I needed assistance, which was both deeply reassuring and encouraging that the oldest traditions of the sea are still alive and well. It was as I was having a beer with my lunch.
