Heave too

[zingaro]

Its a while since I last did any sailing, but seem to remember that you could stop the yacht from forward momentum with the sails up,you just drifted sideways I think it was heave too or hove too cant really remember.I am going sailing with a friend next week and have been to the library to refresh my memory but cannot find any good information on this. We will be on a 40ft beneteau yacht.Can someone please explain to me how to do a hove too or heave too if they are the same thing in simple terms. My recollection was that you made sure that the sails were taught and did nothing with the head sail and allowed it to back by bringing it up into the wind, when the yacht stopped you put the helm over to one side but it is all vague so I need my memory jogging. What point of sail do you need to be on in order to heave too,

 

[NealB]

Different boats will exhibit different behaviour when hove to, and you'll need to experiment to see what works best.

The general idea is to tack, but keep the jib hauled in on the new windward side. The jib therefore presses the bow to leeward, whilst the main drives you back to windward.

Experiment with the mainsheet, jib sheets and rudder position to find where she'll sit quietly and, relatively, comfortably.

You might prefer to heave to on starboard tack rather than port.

 

[Salty John]

To heave-to or heaving-to or being hove-to, is accomplished by tacking through the wind but not releasing the jib sheet. Depending on the boat and how much sail you have up or how strong the wind will determine what other adjustments you have to make.
Typically you would have the jib hauled in tight as for a beat but the main will be let off quite far. The helm will be lashed or locked 'down', as in trying to turn the boat up to windward. The object is to balance these three settings so that the boat doesn't tack, makes little forward progress and lies comfortably slightly off beam to the weather.
Most boats will heave-to with the appropriate set of adjustments, but what those adjustments are depends on the factors mentioned above.
When hove-to you are technically underway so need to maintain a watch.

 

[davidrainsbury]

The sailor's handbrake! To heave to turn the yacht's head through the wind so that the wind is on the "wrong" side of the headsail. The wind is now pushing the yacht backwards on the headsail and forwards on the mainsail so she will more or less stop. Now try to turn back through the wind. Because of the pressure on the headsail it won't happen. She will just sit like a duck. She is now hove to. Lash the helm in that position and have lunch/put the kettle on/nip to the heads. It's essential skill for the single-hander but is a useful first manoevre for MOB recovery. In practice it works better with some yachts than others. A long keel is an advantage which the Beneteau doesn't have. You will probably have to ease the mainsheet until you get just the right balance and you may have to reef the headsail if it's a huge overlapping genoa but it should work OK.
The weather forcast is for sunshine and light winds - enjoy! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Wansworth]

If possible heave to on the starboard tack,then you have right of way,and the galley should be on the port side.Whilst hove to most engravings show the crew sitting contentedly around the wood stove swapping yarns and drinking.This may not be possible in a modernboat.

 

[NealB]

[ QUOTE ]
If possible heave to on the starboard tack,then you have right of way.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cue....a small colregs. debate...you meant 'stand-on' surely?

 

[Wansworth]

errr.....yes!!

 

[shmoo]

Unless, of course, you make more way downwind than another hove to boat to leeward of you, which would make you windward and overtaking /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[zingaro]

Thanks everyone who answered, hopefully be able to put it into practice next week.

 

[davidrainsbury]

[ QUOTE ]
This may not be possible in a modernboat.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's why I sail a long keeled cutter /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif