High Wind Technique
Downwind tacks in high winds become unstable with the centerboard fully down resulting in capsize during a high speed turn and/or oscillations caused by boat heel. To lessen this possibility, the centerboard should be no further than half of the fully down position. This allows much less profile drag from the centerboard in a turn and less tendency for the boat to 'trip' over the centerboard.
Tacking requires a different technique in high winds because the main cannot be backed fully against the stay early in the tack. Tacking technique (coming about) in high wind involves sheeting in the sail and applying weight to leward until the bow passes the eye of the wind. Then lightly backing the main and applying weight in the direction of the turn until the main is against the stay and the sail fills on the new tack. Proceed on the new tack in the normal way, applying weight to windward. Only sheet in once the boat has achieved sufficient helm.
In especially high winds or starting the tack with insufficient helm, the bow may not make it past the eye of the wind after sheeting in and applying weight to leward. In this case, backing the main may cause the boat to turn downwind on the last tack (undesirable). Apply weight on the side of the desired turn with the sail luffing. The wind drag of a boat in irons will cause it to move backwards and the bow will turn towards the side where weight is applied. After the bow has passed the eye of the wind, the main may be backed while still applying weight in the direction of turn to speed coming about. Apply weight to windward after the boom is backed fully against the stay and the sail has filled on the new tack.
High winds will also require that the mainsail be extended on close reaches to maintain helm. Sheeting in the main without sufficient helm results in the boat heading upwind into irons. If the boat begins to lose helm and is headed for irons, apply weight to leward and back the main until the main is against the stay and the boat starts moving forward again.
As wind speed increases it becomes harder to bear off. It becomes important to have the boom extended as far as possible. More weight to windward is needed and the main sheet must be fully extended. Hooking the main sheet around the leward cleat between the fore and mid pulleys (main sheet doubled: main sheet stopper knot at fore pulley, main sheet loop between fore pulley and mid pulley around leward cleat) allows hands free to hike as much as possible to windward and the main sheet does not get out of reach. Having the centerboard no more than half way down makes it easier for the boat to bear off and lessens the likelyhood of tripping over the centerboard once a downwind tack is established. With the centerboard fully down in high wind a capzize may immediately follow establisment of a down wind tack as the sail stalls and the down wind rate of turn increases.
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Copyright Phil Rossoni 10/25/2004