Storm Tactics Archives

Tag Archive for: Storm Tactics

Forereaching animation: How to sail in big waves

October 19, 2015/by Grant Headifen

This post was inspired by the conversation I had with a student sailing off shore in big waves. He was wanting to know how to keep his sails full and have a more comfortable ride whilst sailing downwind. See that conversation here: Wave and Forereaching. In our storm tactics course, we talk about how forereaching is […]

Sailing in High Winds

April 18, 2014/by Grant Headifen

You’ve got to understand balancing the forces and what are the effects of each available sail control when sailing in high winds.

Heaving To in a Sailboat is a Practiced Skill

August 8, 2011/by Grant Headifen

While books say to tack the boat with the head sail cleated to windward and turn the wheel to windward, there’s more to know about heaving to

Mooring Accident

April 23, 2009/by Grant Headifen

While it is generally accepted that mooring is safer than anchoring, there are still some considerations. The following photo from Waiake beach in Auckland, New Zealand is proof of this. Whilst visiting New Zealand for the purpose of spreading the NauticEd word, we came across this early in the morning after an overnight mild storm. […]

20 point plan to rig for heavy weather

February 8, 2009/by Grant Headifen

1. Reduce sail to the appropriate sail plan early. 2. Make storm sails ready. 3. Secure all deck gear 4. Fill fuel tanks from jerry jugs if necessary 5. Secure companionway slides and hatch closed and sealed from the deck. 6. There should also be a mechanism ready to secure the hatch from below. 7. […]