This is one of our options for handling storm conditions so it is important
to fully master this.
- Check current, sea room, and traffic.
- Figure out how far you can safely drift ahead and to leeward.
- Go into close reach on the port tack, if possible (this will get you
heaved too on the starboard tack, which gives you right of way)
- Bring head just through the wind, and as foresail backwinds tighten the
sheet so the clew is at the lee shroud
- Let the rudder free and trim the main as if for a close reach
- Adjust the traveller and sheet so the boat gently drifts along
- Adjust the rudder and lock it so the boat is doing less than 1 knot
forward and drifting slowly to leeward.
- Maintain a lookout
- Each boat handles differently. Practice in strong winds to get an idea
of how she'll behave in storm conditions.
To get out of the Heave to:
- Unlock the steering wheel
- Turn the wheel all the way in the
opposite direction to where it was for heave to
- You should now turn into a sailing
position
David Simpson
This page was last modified on
February 16, 2009
