How do you dry sail?

[25931]

You have to work on Monday? How restricting... I thort most on here had cast such restrictions off well ago. Err, I do have to talk to some client tomorrow...

I hope that you will both be speaking French

 

[Sybarite]

I've read a couple of books in which the authors talked about "dry sailing" their proposed passage so as to be prepared for whatever the weather/sea conditions throws at them. One that comes to mind is Roger Taylor in Mingming and his trip up the East Coast. So I think I get the just of the idea ... check the prevailing winds, look at the tides for your proposed passage, work out where you expect to be and when. Mark it up and then think about what might you need to consider if in that position and the weather changes or sea state deteriorates. I guess ports of refuge or when you head out to sea, might be one set of criteria. But what else do you factor in?

I have a variety of plans for next year ... how can I improve my planning and execution by dry sailing passages over the Christmas holiday?

Solid dodger?

 

[Poignard]

I always thought it those skippers that refuse to have alcohol on board

To paraphrase J.S. Mill:

"Not all skippers who sail single-handed refuse to have alcohol on board,
but all who refuse to have alcohol on board probably sail single-handed."

 

[Stemar]

To paraphrase J.S. Mill:

"Not all skippers who sail single-handed refuse to have alcohol on board,
but all who refuse to have alcohol on board probably sail single-handed."

I was trying to think up a smart comment like that, but couldn't come up with anything pithy enough. I'm glad it's already been done to perfection

 

[Boathook]

The skipper of a boat I was on always wrote in the log......”towards......”

I rarely put the destination in until we get there now. To many crossing outs in the logbook in the past. If I wrote in pencil it would be different!

 

[westhinder]

I rarely put the destination in until we get there now. To many crossing outs in the logbook in the past. If I wrote in pencil it would be different!

I do write in pencil and I always add the destination when the trip is finished. Belt and braces?

 

[PhillM]

OK, so perhaps the term I used was wrong. I recall Roger Taylor of Mingming fame talking about how he spent winter evenings plotting on the chart where he expected to be at various times in his passage. The idea was that he could visualise what his situation might be, so that when out there, he could make better real time decisions. On one passage, I seem to recall he was half way up the north sea when a gale warning was issues and to continue on his track would have put him outside his comfort zone of 200m depth and 200 NM from shore, so he turned and ran back to where he felt safer. I seem to recall he called it "dry sailing his passage".

So, I guess my question is, for longer passages in a small boat, how do you plan?

 

[westhinder]

If by longer passages you mean trips of over 24 hours out of sight of land, say a typical crossing of Biscay from Brittany to Galicia, or from the southern North Sea to Norway, then my answer would be that planning is dominated by the weather. You would only set out if you had a favourable weather window, and I would pay special attention to the probable conditions at the destination around the expected period of arrival. Weather forecasts have greatly improved and give you a high probability for the first three days and a reasonable indication for another couple of days. In addition I would of course do the usual checks of TSS to be negotiated, any hazards such as oil platforms, possible ports of refuge, tides at destination.
If you are considering a longer coastal passage any tidal gates will have to be considered, but you have to accept that you can most probably only time your arrival at the first tidal gate more or less accurately. After that you either accept what is coming, or you decide to adapt your speed or even make a tidal stop, depending on weather, crew stamina and eagerness, or any other factor that is important to you at that moment.

 

[TernVI]

OK, so perhaps the term I used was wrong. I recall Roger Taylor of Mingming fame talking about how he spent winter evenings plotting on the chart where he expected to be at various times in his passage. The idea was that he could visualise what his situation might be, so that when out there, he could make better real time decisions. On one passage, I seem to recall he was half way up the north sea when a gale warning was issues and to continue on his track would have put him outside his comfort zone of 200m depth and 200 NM from shore, so he turned and ran back to where he felt safer. I seem to recall he called it "dry sailing his passage".

So, I guess my question is, for longer passages in a small boat, how do you plan?

For a longer passage upwind, then how you expect the wind to develop is important.
If it's a simple beat across the channel, then you might want to initially sail on the tack which will be headed, so that as the wind changes you are lifted after you tack.
It's just like the beat of a dinghy race, except going the wrong way up a longer beat is more frustrating.

As ever, ther are often conflicting influences to your plan such as tides.

 

[PhillM]

If by longer passages you mean trips of over 24 hours out of sight of land, say a typical crossing of Biscay from Brittany to Galicia, or from the southern North Sea to Norway, then my answer would be that planning is dominated by the weather. You would only set out if you had a favourable weather window, and I would pay special attention to the probable conditions at the destination around the expected period of arrival. Weather forecasts have greatly improved and give you a high probability for the first three days and a reasonable indication for another couple of days. In addition I would of course do the usual checks of TSS to be negotiated, any hazards such as oil platforms, possible ports of refuge, tides at destination.
If you are considering a longer coastal passage any tidal gates will have to be considered, but you have to accept that you can most probably only time your arrival at the first tidal gate more or less accurately. After that you either accept what is coming, or you decide to adapt your speed or even make a tidal stop, depending on weather, crew stamina and eagerness, or any other factor that is important to you at that moment.

That’s helpful. I’m thinking about taking a 24 foot slow wooden boat longer distances, single handed. For example from Hamble to Ireland, with a stop in plymouth. Or to the Azores. Or to Portugal. Obviously, I need to get good at sleep management, but additional planning could also be helpful.

 

[westhinder]

That’s helpful. I’m thinking about taking a 24 foot slow wooden boat longer distances, single handed. For example from Hamble to Ireland, with a stop in plymouth. Or to the Azores. Or to Portugal. Obviously, I need to get good at sleep management, but additional planning could also be helpful.

I had missed the point you are going singlehanded and in a slow boat. As you say, sleep management will be key, and breaking up your voyage in manageable parts. For the trip to Ireland I would add a stop in the Scilly Isles or Newlyn, both good jumping off points for Ireland. Portugal could be Hamble-Channel Islands-Brittany-Galicia-Portugal and from there the longer hop to the Azores. You will get into your stride as you go along.