| Have you ever been caught out in gusty weather, | | | | in and out all the time to spill high octane wind up high. |
| unable to reef right away because you are short | | | | When you pop the mainsheet and ease off on it, the |
| handed? Sure, you should have reefed earlier, but we | | | | top of the mainsail twists to leeward and helps dump |
| all push the envelope more than we should once in a | | | | wind off the top of the sail. The boat becomes more |
| while. Now what, skipper? These three techniques will | | | | level without fear of capsizing. |
| show you how to sail a boat in gusty weather under | | | | Small cruising boats or racing sailboats won't capsize in |
| control until you get around to sail reefing. | | | | gusty conditions, but they will dig their rails in the water |
| Put the triple power of push, pop, and pinch into play | | | | and heel a lot. You've seen the pictures of boats with |
| when sailing by yourself or shorthanded. These | | | | their rails in the water. This might look cool, but it's not |
| methods concentrate on the mainsail. You can use | | | | efficient sailing. Matter of fact, it slows the boat and |
| similar actions with the headsail, but you want to make | | | | causes severe weather helm. Take a hint from the |
| the main less powerful for the most effective | | | | pro dinghy sailors and ease off on the mainsheet to |
| temporary fix. | | | | keep the rail out of the water and the boat more |
| And remember, these steps are just that! This does | | | | balanced. |
| not in any way take the place of reefing. When you | | | | Pinch |
| have the sea room, heave to or stop the boat and get | | | | Pinch up when a gust hits. Keep your eyes peeled to |
| your sails reefed. But until then, push, pop, and pinch! | | | | windward. See those dark patches on the water? |
| Push | | | | Those are high velocity wind envelopes headed your |
| Push the traveler all the way downwind along the | | | | way. Head up a few degrees just before the gust hits. |
| traveler track. In gusty winds, you want to make your | | | | Allow the forward third of the mainsail to luff so that |
| boat sails less efficient but still keep the boat under | | | | you still have power and drive. |
| control with good drive. This action step opens the slot | | | | Use these three easy techniques as a temporary fix |
| between the mainsail and headsail to de-power your | | | | until you can get around to sail reefing. Put "push, pop, |
| sails but keeps the boat on her feet. | | | | and pinch" into play and learn how to sail a boat better |
| Pop | | | | the next time you get caught out in gusty weather. |
| Pop the mainsheet. Dinghy sailors work the mainsheet | | | | |