How to Sail in Poor Weather Conditions

Sailing the Whitsundays

One of the most horrible nightmares that a sailor could possibly have is to sail in bad weather. Heavy weather conditions aren't really something that you can take for granted when you're in the middle of the ocean. But there are still certain things that you can possibly do to ensure your safety if you really have to sail in such conditions.

Be sure to make yourself aware of the things you have to do before setting sail and losing sight of the dock. Launching storm sails, reefing sails, and being aware of the weather report and how it is going to affect your trip are the things you must keep in mind. You can try and spend a day to practice coping with uneven seas and sturdy winds to improve your skills and survive the risks of sailing in heavy weather.

Just refrain from sailing when the weather broadcaster tells you it isn't safe to do so. It is the most ideal thing you may do to avert potential risks. Bad weather not only puts you at risk of the dangers of tornadoes, lightning and squalls. It also raises your possibilities of heat stroke, dehydration and hypothermia. If you're planning to be out in the water for several days, try to know the weather conditions throughout your trip. This will help you avoid the disasters that the sea may bring. Be sure to take along all important safety equipment for sailing.

Try reducing your sails. Spend more time on jibes, tacks and changes of sail in strong winds. You must remember that the nearer you are to other docks or boats, the more difficult it is to navigate your sail boat. Ideally, use smaller sails.

Make use of the anchor. Drop your boat's anchor to point the vessel in one direction. This will allow the vessel to progress slowly while in the middle of a storm.

Release drogues or warps. You can slow the sailboat down by simply launching long ropes from the back of your boat. Ideally, it must be in a loop and should be approximately two wavelengths back as much as possible. The purpose of it is to keep the boat from running faster than the waves do. Small drogues may be used as small sea anchors.

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