Cobra 750 - Storm handling

[conolan]

Been reading the Heavy Weather Sailing bible and it's clear that understanding the characteristics of ones boat is important. Never having been in a storm, I've no experience and don't know how my finkeel Cobra 750 would fare.

Interesting that when picking up a mooring or dropping anchor in F3 or higher, she turns beam on to the wind for a few minutes before settling into the expected bow to wind position. What does this tell me about her?

 

[chriscallender]

If you're just doing normal coastal sailing around the UK (or anywhere really within say 12-24 hours of an all weather harbour) there should be no reason ever to get caught out in the kind of survival conditions that are described in heavy weather sailing.

The worst weather I've sailed in was a westerly F7 crossing from Cherbourg to Portsmouth. Compared with the Solent in F7 the waves were huge (maybe 2-3 metres). When you descend into a trough you can't see anything but water all around, and even big ships in the shipping lanes were burying their bows and spray going over the top of them. So it was relatively uncomfortable in a 28 footer but really just a case of reefing right down and plugging on (the lee of the isle of Wight was very welcome when it came).

But this kind of weather wasn't even close to the kind of things that heavy weather sailing talks about with 60 knot winds, knockdowns, having to stream drogues etc.... the kind of weather that I never expect to sail in in a lifetime, and there shouldn't be much reason really that it would happen unless you cross oceans and are far offshore.

The only thing I'd say is don't fall into the trap of just classifying weather by the wind strengh - F7 mid English Channel is a very different thing than F7 in the Solent.


I think all boats left to their own devices drift beam on (no heaving too, sea anchor etc) so I don't think that tells you an awful lot about what she would do in a *real* blow.

 

[webcraft]

[ QUOTE ]
when picking up a mooring or dropping anchor in F3 or higher, she turns beam on to the wind for a few minutes before settling into the expected bow to wind position

[/ QUOTE ] Quite normal - our Vega (longish keel) does this as well but is reckoned to be a pocket blue water cruiser that can handle a lot of weather. (although the worst we have experienced is lying hove to under bare poles in 40 knots or so in the Atlantic - which she handled with aplomb)

I used to sail a Cobra 750 regularly, she went to windward OK in a F6 and I never had any worries about her seakeeping abilities - but the furthest we went was crossing the Minch - she wouldn't be my choice for an ocean crossing, though I am sure she could handle it. Lots of accommodation for a 25 footer though.

Where are you thinking of going?

- W

 

[savageseadog]

The Cobra is a very strong boat so there would be no possibility of her breaking up. You would have to ensure that everything else like seacocks , hatches washboards etc are up to the job. Make sure batteries and all loose items are secure. I don't see a problem until you're thrown over in a breaking wave at which point you will lose the rig. The Cobra is probably a sounder boat for its size than most.

To prepare the boat refer to the ORC safety stuff.

 

[William_H]

My boat is even smaller and I too wonder about really bad weather.
I think it is important to go sailing in weather that is a bit blowy often. You should be well practiced at reefing and jib reduction and be experienced at making the boat go to windward.
You may well find that it is difficult to get the boat to tack in large sea and wind. Try allowing the jib to back to pull the bow around.
Of course much depends on the point of sail you need in the strong winds.
Hence a bit of jib and a bit of main will usually give the best windward performance. Anything off the wind is easier just reduce sail.
You need to have harness system available as well as the ability to seal up the cabin to keep water out.

Small boats tend to be more robust than larger ones with regard to being damaged by the sea and wind but are much harder on the crew. Hence survival of the crew is perhaps more important than survival of the boat.

You are right to think about these conditions but with modern weather forecasting you should never be caught out too badly. olewill

 

[conolan]

[ QUOTE ]

Where are you thinking of going?
- W

[/ QUOTE ]
Normally we sail from Dunmore East to West Cork, South Wales and still trying to get to Scillies. So it's about knowing what to do if an unexpected big blow turned up.

Reassuring about the Cobra performance. Not surprised, as she's so heavily built. We have all the safety gear. My partner has also done 36 hours in Bass Straights (Tasmania) in a stinker many years ago, so she'll be the expert.

 

[Cobra]

Hi Conor

As has already been mooted here, the 750 is a solid little boat with good seakeeping qualities. As with the vast majority of boats you will find that while you will be having concerns, the boat will be happily doing what she does best!

I don't know whether you have found the owners association yet, but follow this link http://www.cobra-seawolf.com/ and make yourself known! The members forums are a font of all Cobra knowledge!!

 

[lw395]

I might make a comparison to a Contessa 32 in my club. I keep getting told how seaworthy these boats are, but last time I raced against this particular C32, it didn't make it out of the Solent. It was a moderately windy RTIR (few years ago), we had full main and No3, their jib fairlead cars exploded and other bits broke.
The point is old boats are only as seaworthy as the maintenance of their gear. There are a lot of wearing/corroding items that are essential to being in control in big weather. I'm more concerned with being able to keep sailing effectively in F7 than passively surviving F10.
There is another C32 I know fairly well, which is older, but every part of it has been looked after or replaced, often upgraded in a longterm rolling maintenance programme. That really is a boat I'd trust.
Just me being awkward I expect.