Coping with Heavy Weather

Let's get one thing straight. I don't like bad weather. The forecast of a depression brings on a similar mood. I've been very successful so far in avoiding anything too nasty. There have been a few testing times, for instance when crossing the Channel with an ancient relative. He coped very well by sleeping through the worst of it, while I bounced into the air every time we crashed into yet another solid wall of water. So while I make no claim to have come through a hurricane, I know a man who has, and in the spirit of forewarned is forearmed I offer his following words of wisdom.

If you are unfortunate enough to be caught out in a force 6 or 7 you will need to make a plan to cope with the experience. There is no point in trying to keep up appearances. Comfort will do more for morale than a stiff upper lip. Prepare some food and hot drinks. Keep as dry as you can and if possible relax and conserve your energy. Confidence is bound to be effected especially if you and your crew are inexperienced. Remember that your boat is likely to be less bothered by the weather than you are.

There are certain aspects of a yachts design that will help or hinder her ability to ride a storm. Large open cockpits that are not self-draining will increase the chance of being pooped. A freak wave can drop a lot of water into the space and you know water is heavy stuff. You won't want another one to follow the first into your boat, at least not until the first has drained away.

Another situation to avoid is the MOB, this gets to be more likely in heavy weather and it is imperative to use harnesses at all times. A loose man is potentially a dead man if he goes overboard.

Make sure your bilge pumps are working, you do have two don't you? I've had one go lifeless in my hand, luckily in calm conditions. But it makes you think! A quick check of the strainers before they get choked is very much worthwhile.

Is your rig a bit much for you even in light weather? How would you cope if the yachts motion gets violent? Try setting your storm sails in some lively wind near home before you have too. Are you going to be able to handle them at night in high winds? If you've done it before it will be easier when the going gets rough.

You will be reefing down to reduce sail. Roller reefing is increasingly popular, but is yours sufficiently robust? Everything on the boat will be severely tested. NOW is the time to check all the bits that hold your mast up. Losing a mast can quite spoil your day.

Where do you want to be when the wind gets going? Out at sea with plenty of room is often very much safer than trying to make a quick dash for the nearest harbour. Its not nice having to make an unfamiliar entrance at night in poor visibility. Better to stick it out if you can There is usually plenty of advance warning of a gale, use the time to devise a plan. If you are caught out what then? If you would like some suggestions go to Weather tips in the Crows Nest here. But as they say on TV its not very likely to happen to you if you take precautions. Listen to the forecast before you set sail, stay safe, sailing is for fun.

	Fred Barter

Fred is Publisher and Editor of two nautical magazines, 'Cruising' and 'JRA', and is Editor of several books for Adlard Coles Nautical. He is also a publisher of books on nautical subjects (Bosun Publications), whose list of books totals over 120 titles, and is TheMainSail's new editor! Fred currently owns two boats, a classic Laurent Giles designed 26ft Vertue class, and an ex navy Viking class which he has modified as a ketch, with Junk rig sails and a lee board. He is based on the River Thames. Email: editor@themainsail.com.