The Frightened Man

That old saying that a frightened man is the quickest way of getting water out of a boat is probably true. The only time (so far) that I've had cause for some concern, was when we were making our way from the Medway into the Thames in a wind against tide situation. The conditions were not nice. The boat was being thrown about in a vigorous way. A frightened call came from one of my youngest. 'Dad there's water down here'. My descent below was swift. Sure enough there was water over the sole. This was not good news. Luckily my first thought was disbelief that something had failed, the through-hull fittings had been checked recently and I was pretty sure that we had not hit anything.

My second theory had to do with our bouncing boat. What if the ups and downs were causing the problem? Going forward I lifted the most easily removable section of the floor and sure enough there was plenty of water sloshing about. Something prompted me to dip a finger in and taste it. Wonderful! It was not salty! The unusual motion of the boat had thrown this rainwater about soaking everything it could find. It was interesting that the pressure of the moment had prompted a quick solution to the problem. Perhaps the frightened man also finds a dose of logic as well as adrenaline in a crisis.

If you cruise Coastal waters in reasonable weather and Ocean crossings are not your thing, then unless you are exceptionally unlucky or willing to take risks, then you should not find yourself having to use a sea anchor. However the sea is always in control and if she joins forces with the wind, the change in conditions can be swift. What are your options if this happens? These suggestions are intentionally short to be easier to remember.

Lying-a-hull (if the winds are less than force 8).

Lower all the sails and the yacht will look after herself. Lash the helm to leeward to prevent her gaining steerage way.

Running before a gale.

The windage in masts, spars and rigging might well be enough to steer the boat if you also have a small jib set. Keep the seas end-on and keep enough speed to be able to control the boat with the helm.

Heaving-to.

Point your bow well up into the seas. In this case you will keep a minimum of sail up. If you sheet your jib to weather and harden the mainsheet, the yacht will come up into the wind as long as your helm is lashed down. If this is done successfully she will look after herself.

Sea anchors, oil on troubled waters and using warps to slow you down are subjects deserving more space and we will return to these at another time. The best solution to heavy weather problems is to avoid the stuff. Check the forecasts and don't take risks trying to get home when you should stay where you are. Better to use your mobile to let your family know that you've decided to stay put, the meeting will have to wait.

	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.