Older generation autopilots can really struggle with beam sea conditions and usually require tuning. Don’t underestimate how challenging helming can be, so don’t rely on one person and if there is the option to alter course, then take it. If you are not able to avoid a high crest or breaker, take action to minimise its impact on your hull by heading up or down. Look for relatively flat spots between them and steer dynamically from one to the next. Employ all of your senses to dial into wave patterns you will start to sense the size of oncoming waves by how the boat feels underneath you. Good helming in these circumstances is about anticipation and feel. Helming in big beam seas takes skill and concentration. As conditions continue to build apply twist again. You may need to harden up the leeches immediately after reefing, putting power back into the top of your sails to keep sufficient speed and manoeuvrability. Shorten sail when the combined heeling moment from waves and wind feels too much. Soften your mainsail leech by moving your traveller up the track, easing the mainsheet and vang and pulling on your backstay. Most routing software has an option to avoid waves over a certain height but make sure your GRIB files include wave data. Pay careful attention at the passage of fronts a rapid change in wind direction will often cause big seas to break.ĭepending on hull characteristics, wave heights of as little as 30 per cent of your length overall can start to become dangerous beam-on, so consider alternative routes early. Use wave buoy data and wave height forecasts to assess sea conditions. Extreme conditions should, if possible, be avoided but here are my tips for how to handle the top end of manageable beam seas. This causes excessive heeling moment, which can result in broaching or, in extreme scenarios, a risk of inversion. Exposing the entire length of your vessel broadside to oncoming waves allows the energy in those waves to have maximum impact on your hull. Big beam seas can be the most challenging, unpleasant and dangerous of all conditions to sail in.
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