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Light Winds

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tyztoy
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/07/2010 : 04:45:39

This past weekend I was out in 8-10 mph winds with the main and working jib. I had feared my grin might be permanent

This afternoon winds are predicted to be 3-6 mph. I am considering going out to use my 150 genny for the first time. I obviously want to try it in lighter winds.

Is this enough wind to go out? I have a couple hour drive, so I am debating whether to chance it. Thanks in advance for some opinions.

Vehite
1984 SR/FK #4212
Port Clinton, OH
Lake Erie

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 06:18:42

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KEVV&state=IN

This is for Evansville. I don't know where Auburn is close to.

I use this to give me an idea of what time on each day I might be able to make way.

Looks pretty slow.. you can always grill and chill. Swimmin and grinnin..

Edited by - on

limey156
1st Mate

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89 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 06:20:14

its not enough to tempt me out really, w/ my 150% on the furler and fully battened main. i use my full 150% in up to ~15(maybe 20?) knot winds..... but i have only been sailing this boat for a few months so still learning, but this seemed to have the ol girl scooting along nicely at 30* of heel.

Edited by - on

calden
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 06:38:43

I'd say go.

When I learned to sail in light winds I loved them. If you have almost any kind of air movement you can gently ghost along and it's an amazing feeling. It involves sitting on the leeward side, not terribly astern, staying very still, and adjusting your sails accordingly. Once you get moving a little bit it's easier to keep it happening.

But like Ray says, you can always go and just hang on the boat.

Carlos

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 06:57:02

This is the dilemma I face regularly. It's mighty hot to sit in a white sailboat, reflecting all that sunshine when the boat's not moving. I like this chart: [url="http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Sandusky&state=OH&site=CLE&textField1=41.4559&textField2=-82.7144&FcstType=graphical"]NOAA Hourly Weather Forecast Graph[/url]. If I were you, I'd consider a late afternoon/evening sail. At least it promises to have 5-6 knots after 1700. I might go out to watch the sunset on the bay tonight.

BTW, the last couple of e-mails I sent were rejected by your server.

Edited by - John Russell on 07/07/2010 06:59:44

tyztoy
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 07:22:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 
BTW, the last couple of e-mails I sent were rejected by your server.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks, all

John, that is one of the sites I looked at. And if I do go it will be late afternoon/evening. As you can tell, I don't just let anyone through our servers :) I sent you an email to try again. If you don't get through I think I attached my work number. Either let me know through here or call me. I will resolve.

-Ty

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 13:19:15

Ty,
You should definitely go out with a prediction of light winds. The weather forecasts are imprecise, and you may get in a great sail, or else you may just be "grillin and chillin, swimmin and grinnin".

Edited by - on

tyztoy
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 13:36:20

Well, I made the mistake of goint to the office to get some stuff done before leaving. Almost 5 pm and still here. The good news is now I can take off the whole day tomorrow.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 15:53:53

Got thru on the reply but bounced on the regular e-mail.

Edited by - on

tyztoy
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 20:08:02

I won't be at work to fix tomorrow, will be at the boat. If you happen to be there, reply to that email again and I will get on my phone. I will give you my cell number. I'd like to meet soon. I will also be there this weekend.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2010 : 20:30:46

I'd go. Take some sandpaper adn work on the teak while you sail.

Find a mark and practice light air manoeuvers. Its amazing how different the boat handles when you are hardly making way. Will come in handy of you ever have to sail through a mooring field or something. Ok, really thats an excusse. Just go out and play.

Edited by - on

crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2010 : 06:29:46

A friend of mine once said "any idiot can sail when there's wind. It takes real talent to sail when there's not any."

Edited by - on

Stu G
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2010 : 11:26:18

What I look at on light air days is the size of the waves. On Lake Michigan we can have wind at 5 and 3 to 4 foot waves from the day before when wind was at 20. If you have smooth water, light wind sailing is very relaxing, just gliding along, but if you have any kind of wave action you'll find yourself bobbing and weaving with the sails flapping.

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sweetlou
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2010 : 14:48:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stu G
 What I look at on light air days is the size of the waves. On Lake Michigan we can have wind at 5 and 3 to 4 foot waves from the day before when wind was at 20. If you have smooth water, light wind sailing is very relaxing, just gliding along, but if you have any kind of wave action you'll find yourself bobbing and weaving with the sails flapping.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Right on Stu, I often make the point to my passengers (particularly the greener ones) that 15kts on Lake Michigan in the summer is nearly always more pleasant then 5kts.

Bobbing up and down with the wind at 5kts is especially hard on green stomachs!

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