Facebook

Login

Support Sailonline

If you haven't already - join the SAILONLINE YACHT CLUB!

Please also consider making a donation - all amounts are greatly appreciated!

5 September 2010

On request, because many of us wondered what happened to Windswept, the boat our fellow SOLer was crewing on, Chaos has prepared this brief report!! What really happened with Windswept? Our first excitement of the day was on the downwind run to the start when the belt on the engine water pump broke and we had to do a running repair. It was blowing a steady 30 knots so raising the sails downwind with no engine assistance and very little way on was challenging. We made the start and, having decided to do the short course in the Non Spinnaker division, were in the first group off the line. NW wind. Downwind start. The first boat in the spinnaker division put theirs up and promptly broached. Soon the scene behind us was filled with spinnakers as the other divisions started with more broaches. As usual in the Sound when it is blowing the waves were short and steep. We made good progress downwind and set our furling jib wing on wing and with a reefed main started to enjoy a regular surfing speed of 10 knots. Norwalk went by, then Westport, then Bridgeport at record speed for us. We were doing well, making good speed and hanging with the faster boats. The forecast had been for 15-20kts gusting 30ish. Near Stratford Shoals we picked up a great surf and watched our speed reach 11.6 kts, new record for our heavy Cal 33, when a spinnaker boat behind us broached wildly and was pinned down. Before we could get the whisker pole off and reduce sail the gust hit us and the pole snapped. Now we had to tack downwind which meant some hair raising jibing even with 2 reefs in the main and the jib furled. With the waves so steep and close together the boat was rolling and very hard to steer. Somewhere in the process of getting the broken pole off the mast and the boat back under control I cut my leg and was bleeding, so with the forecast calling for the wind to build for the next 6 hours, the skipper made the decision not to break the boat or crew any further. Then came the fun part of finding the nearest sheltered harbour to sit it out. Port Jefferson, on Long Island, would have been a reach and was sheltered but we picked Bridgeport which was upwind but closer on the CT shore so if it turned into having to leave the boat and coming back to get it later we could get back to Stamford easily. If downwind was an exciting ride, upwind was horrible. The boat is 33' and the waves were a steep 5' with about 35' from crest to crest. Perfect for the boat to go over one and crash into the face of the next one. The gusts of 20-30 that were in the forecast were not gusts but a steady 30 with gusts above that. We were on our ear with a double reefed main and much of the jib furled as wave after wave exploded against the bow and hosed the deck and crew. Maybe the boat should be called Waveswept. The three miles to shelter seemed a long way. The 16 miles back to our home port a very long way. Hopefully next year we will get something between a Tropical Storm and a flat calm!

Comments

1 CG says...
Very very glad you made it back safely xxxx

Posted at 12:20 p.m. on September 5, 2010

2 Exmeromotu says...
Phew! Glad you made it to port safely! CAL boats pound like crazy even with moderate chop, must have felt as if the boat were coming apart (holding your breath) with each wave. Regards

Posted at 1:30 p.m. on September 5, 2010

Comments are closed.

Comments have been closed for this post.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Isle of Mull TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to the west coast of Scotland for an 80 nm race around the Isle of Mull. Mull is home to castles, distilleries, and the Highland Games. The race begins just north of Oban in the shadow of Dunstaffnage Castle and after rounding the island finishes down the coast at Crinan. The Twister 28 with its classic long keel is the boat for this race.
This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have two weeks to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2057
INFOby brainaid.de
PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
26 September at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Sep 13th 12:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cross the Convergence 2026 - Cocos to Sagar Island


Kapil Muni, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, founder of the Samkhya school of philosophy, disturbed from his meditation, in his wrath reduced the 60,000 sons of Sagar to ashes, as they dug the earth to retrieve the sacrificial horse that Lord Indra, the king of the Gods, stole off Sagar, thus creating the Sagara (ocean). Aeons later, Bhagiratha, a descendant of Sagara, asked Ganga to cleanse the ashes of the 60,000 princes, and her resultant torrential fall from heaven created the great river and where it met the ocean, the princes’ souls were washed and raised to heaven and Gangasagar (Sagar Island) was formed. So, let us join the pilgrimages to Kapi Muni’s Temple (see above) and race 2400nm from Cocos Island deep in the Sagara thence, in rather rapid Rapido 60s.
Race #1987
INFOby brainaid.de
Rapido 60PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: CCZ - SYC
Race starts: Sep 11th 18:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

The Vineyard Race 2026


For the 16th consecutive year, our SOLers are invited to tackle this iconic 250nm overnighter. The classic route charges out through the sound, leaves Buzzards Bay Light to starboard, rounds Block Island to starboard, and heads home.

This year's weapon of choice is the Beneteau First 47.7. A proven performer since its 2012 SOL debut, this Farr-designed cruiser/racer excels at leading real and virtual handicap fleets. Success will demand sharp tactical navigation, so watch the polars closely to conquer the sound's shifting winds!
Race #2056
INFO by brainaid.de
First 47.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Sep 04th 17:05 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shearwater - Rio de la Plata to Irish Sea 2026

Welcome to the fourth leg of our MIG series. This time we're racing the Sooty Shearwater on their migration from the breeding grounds in South America to the northern Atlantic. This is also part of our Ocean Championship, and as such the third race of OCQ3 2026. This race will be sailed in our Gunboat 90. Race #2055
INFO by brainaid.de
GunBoat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ3 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
Race starts: Sep 02nd 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

SYC members have the benefit of access to our mobile/lightweight web client!

The mobile client