We went sailing in 40 knots to see what we could learn! | Yachting Monthly 

Based on a lengthy career as a yacht delivery skipper, (though quite a few decades past :>) I might make a couple of suggestions.. Especially when alone on watch, use two straps to hank yourself to the boat, one very short, this will anchor yourself in place and avoid being thrown across the cockpit onto something hard.. like a winch.. the second, a lengthy strap, that if you need to unhank the short strap in order to make some adjustment, will still ensure that you're attached. Using a single strap by knotting and releasing can become tiresome and difficult when tired, wet, cold. Secondly.. reduce watch times progressively and before fatigue sets in.. I've been down to 30 min per watch on a couple of very bad occasions. Fatigue can be a killer in several ways.

People used to tell me I was crazy for going sailing in bad weather.but my argument was that if you'd practiced in bad weather you wouldn't be surprised when it hit . I once went out rowing in a 40 knot gale in an 8ft Dinghy. I learned as much about rough weather boat handling in an hour than I had in 20 years .

Strong winds and the north sea showed me my limitations in a matter of seconds- took me 13 hours to battle out of it again. This can be a life saving video, thank you for making it!👍

I have seen a few instructional videos covering this topic but none made things as clear. You covered many of the fearful topics in one logical flow that just makes sense!

Assent was owned by Willie Ker well before the 79 Fastnet. It was his son Alan who skippered the boat during that race. Assent was the first keel boat I ever sailed on - probably around 1976 - having learned to sail on the same small reservoir where my family met and became friends with Willie. What a legend... Assent is looking good! The last time I saw her was in Victoria BC where I met Willie after he had returned from the Bering Sea; she was looking a little rough!

Lot of nice things to say about this video. Besides, it is a relief to actually see an internet video (this may be the first I have seen) done by somebody who speaks the language, almost always using proper terminology. RU-vid is just swamped with self-styled cruising experts who don't even know what a "deck" is. It never ceases to amaze and even to depress me to see such persons who know less about how to talk about a boat than I did when I was 10 years old.

Thank you for your excellent reporting and incredible team effort in rough conditions.

Having worked (and still work) commercial and patrol vessels, and sailing both yachts and square riggers, with many years working in the Southern and Indian Oceans, one thing I have to say is that old technology works. It's been around forever at sea for a reason. Those basic navigation devices, the paper chart (on deck, you just need a small one in a plastic case), a compass for bearings (I use a set of binos with an inbuilt compass), especially when doing coastal runs. Modern technology is great and make life so easy, but never, ever, ever rely on it! And for comms, rely on your HF/MF. SATCOM will work, but intermittently. As that cloud cover builds, especially if there is electricity in the atmosphere, your INM-C will take a hit. Rely on HF for your long range comms in rough conditions, as although you will hear a lot of ambience, you will still get messages in and out. I really cannot emphasise NBDP (Narrowband Direct Printing) when going outside of 40 degrees N/S. Your equatorial satellites will be way to far away by that point when atmospherics are involved, and while NBDP takes momentary hits, it works in any condition, and they plan for those hits! It works similar to INM-C, especially for modern systems that usually use both INM-C and NBDP on the same screen, in the way that MSI is accessed, but you cannot transmit on NBDP. Also, trained crew. I've been involved in way to many rescues because of lack of crew training. It's not about them knowing what to do, it's about them knowing what to do under pressure. And if you aren't completely happy with what has to happen, ask! Again, I cannot emphasise enough how crucial crew competence under pressure is in heavy weather! Things go wrong all the time with fully professional, full time crews in rough weather. Not dying is due to everyone being fully abreast of their roles, and the roles of the people around them. When the sea state is up, let the trainees observe from a safe position (or under direct supervision depending on circumstances and role), but you need crew competence to survive! However, this video has some great points and demonstrates a key thing many people ignore: train for the worst case scenarios. If rough seas are a possibility, train for them. Don't train light on, for when the going gets tough, everyone and everything will crack. Also, and this might be years of naval service speaking, but train for damage too. Learn what tools you need to do underway repairs so you can limp back to port. I have seen many boats saved because their crews have known where their repair kits are, and how to use them. I have also been in many searches and rescues where the crews have not known how to conduct basic repairs - and that has a much greater cost!

Thank you for taking us for the ride. Great info.

Thank you very much Theo and crew. Great video, I enjoyed every minute

Great video! I wasn't expecting to first part to be before you even get out on the water, which was brilliant. I learned a lot from this so thank you very much.

Having been crew in a heavy gale on several occassions I can definitely say that any time you have to go forward is a VERY dangerous situation, and even normally minor issues become life threatening. The bounce of the foredeck combined with everything being wet, cold, and slippery means that you need four hands for the boat (and wish you had prehensile toes). Getting prepared before the weather gets bad, and practicing (like this video suggests) are your best action plan. You can very quickly find yourself having to get onto a foredeck travelling up and down 6-8 ft every few seconds, while trying to untangle a line or worse, pulling in a headsail, with no footing.

A very clear and educational video. Thank you for having thought of making a video with the basics of navigation in bad weather. and Thanks also to all the technical and editorial team for doing.

SUPERB video, thank you for the effort, it was a very useful watch!

Outstanding!! Brilliantly done all round. Best heavy weather vid I have ever seen, kudos to the crew and Theo -. you hit every important detai ,and the after action review was spot on. Expect and prepare for the worst, then carry on and enjoy the very best! Your prep and attention to detail took this from a potential horrror show to a valuable and unforgettable but safe day at sea. Bravo!

A few preparation failures - They didn't tie the liferaft painter to the boat. The lifering should be fitted with a weighted drogue otherwise it just sails off to leeward at 40 knots! Webbing jackstays - they rot in the sun and the stitching rots even faster. Do not use fixed anchor points for a harness as there is no give when a person goes overboard - and the tether will probably break! Rope jackstays have a little give and are much better than webbing.

Excellent presentation. A must watch for novice and experienced sailors who have not been out in the rough for a while. Thank You.

I have the article here right beside me. I am so happy there is a video to this. One of the best articles I have read recently. Assent is a treasure

Having sailed on the Atlantic in Force 10 winds for days. Sailing and taking care of the boat is actually the smaller thing. Mainly, having too much sails becomes very uncomfortable, but an ocean going yacht should stand more than the sails. Hours and days, the main thing is to take care of the crew's wellbeing and capacity. If all are seasick, exhausted, stressed and angry, there is nobody to take care of the boat and sailing. If you sail this kind of weather longer than a couple of hours, you have to be able to visit the toilet regularly, sleep, have something warm to eat and drink and so on. So, as you did, you secure all the lockers and loose items. The become dangerous very fast. As much as possible, you try to have a dry place to sleep. You make warm meals. Working on the deck is to be avoided. Should I tell you how changing a traditional head sail in 5 - 7 metre waves feels like? :D I guess, I could not do it anymore. Even in cockpit, you were your safety equipment. And in order to save your strength, you don't even sit without support. Every time the boat rolls, accelerates or decelerates, you need your muscles, which consumes your energy, which causes hunger, which is not so easy satisfy. The meal is not served on deck 9 in the bow section of the vessel. It is what you manage to make and eat. Thus, in order to work with your boat, navigate and communicate, you avoid exhaustion, hunger, thirst cold,, pain and you visit the toilet regularly even if it is hard. And you clean it after the visit! Seasickness and coli bacteria is, I guess, quite a nice compound! :D (And you don't keep your torches next to the main compass..)

Great and honest video, good and clear instructions and - yes - the Contessa is a very suitable and proper ‘little boat’ ! Best, Harry

I really appreciate this. A practical example of preparation and dealing with conditions. I would also add that care of the morale and 'energy' of the crew is not often discussed however important that it certainly is. Excellent vlog.

What a great video! Packed with amazing detail. And I can't say enough about that Contessa 32--she's a gem! and a good match with the crew. May have to watch this again.

Great video - Thanks! Things on board are never perfect so it brought realism to the video to point out the (very few) deficiencies like the storm jib tack line. I liked the section on heaving to since that is one of my challenges.

First class informative no nonsense video. Thanks.

Fifty years a sailor but I really enjoyed this. A review that I will share again and again with crew and fellow lifelong sailor friends. Very thorough and easy to understand. Thank you.

Very informative, thank you for all the effort you all put into this production.

Excellent video really clear and not one wasted word..

That was exceedingly useful - so very practical. Thank you.

This is a really helpful video, thanks for this series!

Nicely done. My interest was maintained throughout. Even after 60 + years at sea, I always pay attention to matters and materials new to me. And there are always just that and those. Cheers!

That was a very comprehensive video, thanks.

Great video that brings back memories for me. I had a Contessa 26 for years a long time ago. A very wet, small and slow little boat. I am now in my seventies and have fonder memories of her than any other boat that I have owned. Many a tale was told in the King's Head in Lymington after a long trek back from France or Cowes 😀. Several times I have had to alter plans, run for shelter or ride it out. Keep up the good work guys and safe sailing everyone. Bon Voyage.

BRAVO! Outstanding! Thank you!!

That is one of the best sailing videos I’ve ever watched. And I may have watched them all!

Absolutely fantastic program. Incredibly informative and the debrief at the end is really helpful and thought provoking. Thank you all so much 😃

Superb, thanks for the comprehensive explanation with direct experience and prior briefing. I sail solo under rough conditions from time to time just to find the flaws of the boat, its setup (below and above deck) and my own decisions and skills. And😮I find many new every time I do it. Always worth, but later 3 days exhausted, it's extremely demanding. 😅

Brilliant episode. Very informative. Thanks

Amazingly informative and useful info. Thank you!

Really enjoyed this video. Full of information and learned a few things! Also shows how sea worthy a yacht can be. I know the Contessa's are pretty good boats but there's nothing wrong with sailing in some high winds if you have the stomach for it. I personally love the idea of heavy weather and trying to master my skills in higher winds. Many thanks!

Nice flow to that video - to the point and holds the attention - something worth its weight in gold when instructing: Thanks so much.

Well covered ! We can all bang on about the storms we got through and lucked out. But it is the lessons learnt and reapplied that count….Everything just takes three times as long to do and is three times harder-And MUST be done with exquisite care. As you so so rightly do, have it all ready beforehand and give the crew a warm , hydrated,fed , safe and easy time of it conserving energy and alertness…The trisail and the storm jib /staysail really need to be set up and ‘ ready to go’..

outstanding peace of sailing video - thanks!

Great instruction. This was helpful even for sailing a Pearson Ensign in heavy winds on a small lake. Clear and precise without a hint of condescension.

Comms enthusiast here -- there is a inexpensive option called a Throat Mic which can connect to handheld radios. It also comes with a earpiece so that you can hear what's being said on channel. The idea is to keep your hands free so that you can handle the tiller and lines.

Thanks for the excellent content. Lots of thought and work here, well done.

Clear, concise and well presented. Thanks for knowledge. Subbed.

This was excellent - more please!

Finally 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 This is sailing and this is what people need to know. ❤

Excellent video. Might have been worth mentioning to have a good check over the boat once back in harbour to ensure nothing has chafed, or started to come undone or anything else which might catch you out next time you go to sea. If still at sea, then check as much as you can when the weather has calmed down.

A great detailed video on how to cope with heavy weather.

where i sail, the weather is often brutal. since getting trapped in a big storm (gusts to about 50kt) i've decided to make a few changes to my boat. those include leading everything back to the cockpit that i can, and a proper enclosed wheelhouse. great video - learnt a lot and confirmed what i thought i knew.

What a great instructional video, Thank You. So much makes more sense now than before. As a very novice sailor the information and advise you provide here is invaluable.⛵👍

Gorgeous! I wouldn't dare going out in such conditions, but man how I enjoyed watching you!

This was really cool! This is what sailing is really about. If you can make it through this type of weather you can sail through anything. I saw a bunch of people in the comments of a different video of a guy in a smaller sailboat encountering rough seas and they kept saying things like "that boat is too small for the ocean" and "don't ever take a lake boat in the ocean" if you know what you're doing there's no difference between a lake boat and an ocean boat.

Excellent excellent explanation and of the reasoning and reality of inclement weather. 👏 You all nailed it how it happens. Anyone wanting to head offshore should watch this as a basic. Fair winds from NZ

Excellent rough weather video !! well rounded from the start to final debrief 👌

Great video. As older sailors, my partner and I have rigged everything on our H28 to drop and raise the sails from the cockpit. This includes 2 reefing points and a furling gib. This winter I’m going to add lazy jacks so that if necessary we can drop the mainsail entirely. But as a result of watching your video and listening to the observations you make, I will also move some more important safety items closer to the hatch for availability

An excellent training video, with lots of expert content. I enjoyed it!

Very informative and clear video ! Yes for sure we can confirm the findings and infos about electronic equipments that might not work in the strong weather, such as touch screens and battery operated equipments as with the cold weather, many batteries will shut down at some point. We loved the section preparation of the boat inside and out too ! Thanks for this test !

Well done Theo for that final piece to camera, you looked knackered :-)

What a great tutorial! Thank you!

Very good video and suggestions. Excellent comments. And, amazing sound!

And those conditions can occur just about anywhere and anytime. I once got caught in 35+ winds gusting to 50+ on the Columbia River Gorge in a blizzard in a 24-ft. Kent Ranger. My years of year round off-shore sailing off the Pacific coast prepared me for the event, but I never ever encountered as rough a conditions on the ocean as that time on the Columbia and with very little room to maneuver. to avoid running aground or collecting rock. And yes, the Columbia River can develop some good sized waves and turbulent waters. Still one of my most memorable sailing adventures shared with my young son and a friend who had never been on a sailboat before and became an avid sailor after much more time on my boat learning the ropes leading to his Captains license. Excellent post...👍👍

Great boat, great crew, great sail! WOW!

spot on, this was thorough and thought provoking . thank you gents

Great tips. Any blue water sailor can get caught in 40 knots or more. The first time it happened to me was in a Cat 1 hurricane. It would've great to have already had a little 40 knot experience under my belt. The good thing was that later when I was caught in 30 knots in coastal sailing it was actually fun.

Excellent video. I've been sailing for 50 years, the last 20 soloing a 57 foot, cold molded, center cockpit cutter designed by Henry Scheel. Every couple of years I would take my boat out in big seas and high winds in the middle of the night, hank on my storm sail, fully reef the main and hove to. I would also lock the rudder and try to steer using a 48" drogue on two winches. I am amazed at the people who I have met that have been caught in bad weather with full sails flying and didnt know how to reef properly and had no storm sails. they should all watch your video...

Thanks for this good video. I have learned something was new for me.

Good show! The crew performed well....better than a touch screen!

Really nice and complete video from a passionnate... many thanks for the effort!

What a fantastic video. Thank you!

Very informative. Thank you as a new sailor, I find this info to be very helpful.

Excellent video, I enjoyed very much and learned things.

Very well done.

Such a good video, so many extremely good points, my remote mike saved me from a possible a collision with a car transporter when visibility suddenly came down to a couple of hundred yards in minutes just approaching the Lizard. It come out of the mist/fog straight for me. Did not have time to get below to use the VHF. Def would not be without that!!!

thanks for sharing,that was very useful information.

Thanks for the great video!

Fantastic content, thanks for sharing!

Done similar, initially in small doses, with my Sadler 25 to build knowledge and confidence. The learning is powerful, especially managing navigation & feeding/hydration. I’ve been caught out a couple of times delivering other yachts and the experience has made things possible, not a scary epic. Managed concern and minimised fatigue keeps the crew capable.

Great Video with lots of good Information . Thanks.

Awesome video. Never forget you can change course to be safe. Keep your knees bent everyone.

Great viewing. I don’t have the courage or the skill to sail in those conditions yet (or the foreseeable future) but great to see. Keep up the great vids. Ian

Great video, thanks!

Excellent and informative video.

best video I've seen on explaining and demonstrations. '

Thanks so much!! I learned a lot.

A REALLY EXPERTLY MADE VID CLIP, & IT SHOWS EVEN WITH A SMALL BOAT THAT YOU CAN MANAGE WITH FORETHOUGHT, KNOWLEDGE, NO SCARY 👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

what a brilliantly informative video done in an interesting way, theory & practice combined by a real pro - thank you, master 🙏 👍

This is a great idea and I have done this. First, I am a US Sailing instructor that taught a lot in San Francisco, bay and off shore. Well known for strong winds and seas as the norm. But when I bought an Alberg 35 that I was living aboard with my wife, we went up a canal for protection from a category 2 hurricane. After the worst had passed, sustained winds were 40-50. We decided to test the boat, well known for it’s good heavy weather attributes. We were sailing about 12 miles back to home port in the open part of Biscayne Bay. It was tougher than we thought. Part of the issue was the reduced visibility, due to rain. (That we didn’t expect, and this is before chart plotters and GPS). Navigation was pilotage and Ded Reconing. The boat handled the conditions well, with triple reefed main and storm Jib. Always good to practice heavy weather in at least semi controlled conditions as you, and we did.

Great info! My solo sailing heavy weather tactics (17’ 2000# sailboat) If it’s the way I’m going run with it bare poles until breaking waves and danger of Broach then deploy Jordan Series Drogue. If I need to fight a Leeshore storm jib/third reef heave-too possibly fore-reach if breaking waves deploy Sea anchor. Mostly though keep a eye on weather and try to avoid it. As a solo sailor you Must practice these things beforehand in milder conditions and have all the kinks worked out.

Useful and informative. Thank you.

Your using the right boat my favorite of all time

thanks for sharing this great video. Very informative. Good sound and video, and very well presented.

Thank you. I learned a lot.

Great vid, thanks!

Very good and interesting summing up..

Outstanding presentation! My personal mantra is "What if,What now,What next?"

Great video, great comments as well. Thank You. Another good complement would be how to cope/best compromise when no storm jib on board.

Really super instructional session. Please consider other heavy weather instruction. Thanks!

Great video. Thanks