Cocktail hour was entertaining

bsangs

E35-3 - New Jersey
Quite the drama in our marina last night, as a wicked storm front rolled through. A neighboring boat’s in-mast furling main was whipped out when gusts over 30 blasted us. Took some rained-soaked good samaritans about a half hour to figure out the system and finally get it under control. Knowing nothing about in-mast furling it got me to wondering what they did it incorrectly that may have prevented it.

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Drewm3i

Marine Surveyor
Quite the drama in our marina last night, as a wicked storm front rolled through. A neighboring boat’s in-mast furling main was whipped out when gusts over 30 blasted us. Took some rained-soaked good samaritans about a half hour to figure out the system and finally get it under control. Knowing nothing about in-mast furling it got me to wondering what they did it incorrectly that may have prevented it.

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Scary.
 

bsangs

E35-3 - New Jersey
I misreported the wind. It gusted over 40 during the storm. :oops: Though there's another boat two slips down from ours with a mast furling main and that sail didn't move an inch. I've also received some more information about this boat. It's used as a "Time Share." We have seen the owner taking people out to give them lessons, but until yesterday I just thought he had a large group of friends and family. He should probably start teaching how to secure that main when buttoning up the boat after sailing. Coincidentally, some people took it out yesterday, came back to dock in 20+ winds and the docking did not get very well. I will not throw stones in that situation, however.
 

bsangs

E35-3 - New Jersey
Those tall buildings must create some interesting wind patterns for boaters.
Winds, strong confused currents from a couple rivers colliding, tide, narrow stretch of the river, and the unending parade of traffic, both large and small. We don't even bother putting the sails up anymore until we've cleared the Statue of Liberty far enough south where it opens up. I just motor on past that insanity. Gives me a good chance to clear any carbon from the exhaust elbow as I crank her to near max.
 

AK67

Member III
Some in mast furler and roller fuller foresail sailors will leave a small triangle of sail out when on mooring or docked, which generally leads to this kind of situation. I don't have much experience with in-mast furling, but I have to believe it can all be furled.
 
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