We're pretty conservative sailors, and usually don't go out if heavy weather is anticipated. Last Saturday, we were caught out on the Chesapeake Bay as a line of thunderstorms came through. It was a cloudy, windy day, 15-20 kts with gusts to 30, but the weather report at the time we left did not predict any heavy weather.
As we crossed the Bay, we saw clouds darken to the west of us, but as the winds were coming from the southwest, we thought the storm might go south of us. That's when we heard a NOAA weather advisory about a line of storms going across the entire Bay traveling west at 30 mph with wind gusts to 40 kts.
I took in the genoa very quickly, but since it takes two people to take down or reef the main (and my sailing partner was down in the cabin in the small "window" of time we had to do it), we were caught with the mainsail up.
We turned on the engine, kept the boat turned into the wind, and the boat performed beautifully. I was hoping that insurance might help to pay for a new mainsail, but even it came out just fine.
I'm glad it was a fast-moving storm (only experienced 15-20 minutes worth instead of the usual 45-50 minute Chesapeake Bay thunderstorm). The experience, though, helped to build our confidence in our sailing skills, and in the ability of the Ballad to handle heavy weather. I still intend not to get caught in that situation, but if I do, I will feel much less anxious.
If any of you have any experiences to share--especially those who have been offshore--I'd love to hear from you.
Cathi Jones
"Lyric"--Hull #205
