Anticipate and prepare
Heavy-weather seamanship begins long before the wind arrives. The skipper reads the forecast and the sky, and prepares the boat and crew while it is still easy: reducing sail early and progressively, securing everything on deck and below, closing and dogging hatches, rigging jackstays and briefing the crew to clip on. A boat prepared in good time rides out weather that overwhelms one caught unready. Reefing early keeps the boat balanced and under control, which is the whole aim.
Tactics in heavy weather
- Heave-to: back the headsail against a reefed main with the helm to leeward, so the boat lies quietly and makes slow drift — the classic way to rest the crew and wait out a blow.
- Run off before the sea under reduced sail, keeping the boat under control and avoiding being pooped or broaching.
- Lie to a sea anchor or trail a drogue to hold the boat's attitude to the sea, as suits the boat and the conditions.
- In all tactics, keep the crew safe below where possible, clipped on when on deck, and manage their fatigue and morale.
WARNING — Reef early and prepare early Everything is harder once the weather is on you. Reduce sail, secure the boat and brief the crew while it is still easy; a boat prepared in time stays controllable in conditions that break an unprepared one.
TIP — Heaving-to buys you time When the crew is tired or the situation needs thinking about, heaving-to slows the boat, quiets the motion and gives the skipper time to rest the crew, fix a problem or wait for the weather to ease.