JackFrobisher
New member
Any Chute in a Storm
As has been observed and I echo, the key with singlehanding any big sail is not to let the wind get up and catch you out. I only got caught once and I won't again. A Westerly Storm doing 10 knots under a chute that you can't get down is ... uncomfortable. I agree that one should be nervous and get the chute down when the wind gets above F3.
My observations:
1. Use a snuffer - once it's snuffed it can be taken down or left as the situation allows.
2. Attach one sheet. If you need to tack, snuff it and walk the sheet round. Trying to tack a chute using two sheets can lead to ripping times.
3. Arrange the tack so it may be released easily. If the wind gets up, you can release the tack so the sail will stop driving and it can be recovered from the cockpit rather than the foredeck.
4. Deploying the Genoa will kill the chute to an extent, more so if you're running downwind by shielding and the reduced apparent wind speed: however operating the snuffing line behind the Genoa can be tricky, depending on how high above the deck the Genoa has been cut.
5. When you pack the chute away, ensure that the bulk of the sail is in the bottom of the bag and the three rigging points and the snuffing throat are at the top of the bag so you can easily rig it next time without getting it all out on deck.
Sorry if this is all teaching granny but it's my experience.
As has been observed and I echo, the key with singlehanding any big sail is not to let the wind get up and catch you out. I only got caught once and I won't again. A Westerly Storm doing 10 knots under a chute that you can't get down is ... uncomfortable. I agree that one should be nervous and get the chute down when the wind gets above F3.
My observations:
1. Use a snuffer - once it's snuffed it can be taken down or left as the situation allows.
2. Attach one sheet. If you need to tack, snuff it and walk the sheet round. Trying to tack a chute using two sheets can lead to ripping times.
3. Arrange the tack so it may be released easily. If the wind gets up, you can release the tack so the sail will stop driving and it can be recovered from the cockpit rather than the foredeck.
4. Deploying the Genoa will kill the chute to an extent, more so if you're running downwind by shielding and the reduced apparent wind speed: however operating the snuffing line behind the Genoa can be tricky, depending on how high above the deck the Genoa has been cut.
5. When you pack the chute away, ensure that the bulk of the sail is in the bottom of the bag and the three rigging points and the snuffing throat are at the top of the bag so you can easily rig it next time without getting it all out on deck.
Sorry if this is all teaching granny but it's my experience.
