Heavy Weather and TacticsHeavy Weather and Tactics

27 Feb 201027 Feb 2010

Paul H. Miller, D.Eng. P.E.Paul H. Miller, D.Eng. P.E.Professor of Naval ArchitectureProfessor of Naval Architecture

United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy

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SeaworthinessSeaworthiness““To be To be seaworthy, seaworthy, the vessel the vessel

must be able must be able to defend to defend

itself against itself against the incursion the incursion and perils of and perils of the sea…”the sea…”

From “Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor” by C.A. Marchaj

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SeaworthinessSeaworthiness““To be To be seaworthy, seaworthy, the vessel the vessel

must be able must be able to defend to defend

itself against itself against the incursion the incursion and perils of and perils of the sea…”the sea…”

From “Seaworthiness: The Forgotten Factor” by C.A. Marchaj

How Big is Your Boat?How Big is Your Boat?

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Plan and PreparePlan and Prepare

Recognize the issuesRecognize the issues

1.1. Wind – p=vWind – p=v22!!

2.2. Waves duration Waves duration and fetch (h1/3)and fetch (h1/3)

3.3. Crew Crew inexperienceinexperience

4.4. Crew fatigueCrew fatigue

5.5. Panic!Panic!

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Plan and PreparePlan and Prepare

Anticipate problemsAnticipate problems

1.1. Man Overboard! Man Overboard!

2.2. Crashing wavesCrashing waves

3.3. Rolling – think Rolling – think invertedinverted

4.4. Damage controlDamage control

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Preparing the boat before you go!Preparing the boat before you go!Watertight IntegrityWatertight Integrity

1.1. Hatches/boardsHatches/boards

2.2. Port lights (storm Port lights (storm shutters)shutters)

3.3. Vents/DoradesVents/Dorades

4.4. Through hullsThrough hulls

5.5. MastMast

6.6. Rudder shaftRudder shaft

7.7. Control linesControl lines

8.8. Prop shaftProp shaft

9.9. Locker coversLocker covers

Hint: Give your boat a good shower!Hint: Give your boat a good shower!Watertight is good, airtight is not!Watertight is good, airtight is not!

Preparing the crew and boatPreparing the crew and boat1.1. FouliesFoulies

2. Hooking on – night, reefed, water temp <60

3.3. Lifejackets , Lifejackets , whitecapswhitecaps

4.4. CommunicationsCommunications

5.5. PEPIRBPEPIRB

1.1. Review procedures Review procedures for MOBfor MOB

2.2. Stowage – think Stowage – think inverted! Batteries inverted! Batteries & Sails& Sails

3.3. Food – cooking, Food – cooking, thermosthermos

4.4. Jackstays Jackstays

5.5. VisibilityVisibility

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Evaluate Your GoalsEvaluate Your GoalsRacing CruisingCruising

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Evaluate: Are you pushing the Evaluate: Are you pushing the boat too hardboat too hard

Things to consider:Things to consider:1.1. Risk vs rewardRisk vs reward2.2. When to reef?When to reef?3.3. Cruising – think Cruising – think

upwind (MOB)upwind (MOB)4.4. Racing – your limits Racing – your limits

and recoverabilityand recoverability

Are you ready for a MOB?

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StrategiesStrategies

1.1. Changing jibsChanging jibs

2.2. ReefingReefing

3. Storm sails

4.4. Heave toHeave to

5.5. Sea anchorSea anchor

6.6. AhullAhull

7.7. DrougesDrouges

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““To finish first, first you have to finish.”To finish first, first you have to finish.”When to get offWhen to get off

The keel The keel is still is still there, but there, but the mast the mast is not!is not!

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Self Reliance IssuesSelf Reliance Issues

Think of those Think of those who may who may need to need to come get come get you!you!

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A boat, although a A boat, although a good design, is only good design, is only as seaworthy as the as seaworthy as the condition it is in and condition it is in and the skill of the crew the skill of the crew that sails it!that sails it! Case Study: 1998 Case Study: 1998 Singlehanded FarallonesSinglehanded Farallones

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A boat, although a A boat, although a good design, is only good design, is only as seaworthy as the as seaworthy as the condition it is in and condition it is in and the skill of the crew the skill of the crew that sails it!that sails it! 1998 Singlehanded 1998 Singlehanded FarallonesFarallones

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From US SAILING: Equipment GuidesSafety Recommendations for Offshore Sailing

or

Safety Recommendations for Cruising Sailboats

And, “Safety From Capsizing; Final Report”

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“The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat”

John Vigor

“Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore

Yachts”by the CCA

Practice – A Case StudyPractice – A Case Study

1.1. Reefing all the Reefing all the way in all way in all conditionsconditions

2.2. TrysailTrysail

3.3. Storm sailsStorm sails

4.4. While in foulies While in foulies and hooked on!and hooked on!

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Prepare, practice and perform!

Build you confidence!

phmiller@usna.eduphmiller@usna.eduGoogle: Paul Miller USNA