A friend of mine recently asked this question. She could just as well have asked, how much is too little? There are many, highly technical answers involving aerodynamic principles and realities to these questions…most above my pay grade; so I thought I’d take a stab at explaining my answer for those of us less technical. Now remember, I’m barely authorized to respond using my knowledge gained from a lifetime of sailing… I know far less about power boats. There are significant differences. They are worlds apart when it comes to steering, stability in rough seas, windage caused by high superstructures, etc., etc.
Every make and model of sailboat has unique dimensions. For this question the relevant measurements include the keel (that which hangs below the hull and comes in different, shapes, sizes, and materials. Longer, heavier keels do better at keeping the boat upright. Shorter keels… not so much). They also include the type of standing rigging that holds the mast up (some heavier than others and of various designs) and the sails (different sizes, shapes, materials and abilities to be reefed) and depending which sails and how much of them are employed at the time of said wind… well that is what makes sail boats lean over and move through the water at various speeds. The balance between the sails and the keel and the hull design create the essence of the vessel. Some are designed for speed (light weight, go fast, racing boats of all lengths). Some are designed for cruising (with heavier sails and fuller keels along with wider hulls and better living spaces below). I think you may start to see why “how much is too much?” is a hard question to answer.
For me, with my boat designed for cruising and filled to the rafters with all the things we like to have along (from tooth brushes to rum)… well my answer involves comfort. You heard right… “comfort”. This is not to say I don’t enjoy a lively romp through choppy seas in a brisk wind; of course I do (at the right time, in the right place, and with a crew that equally enjoys the thrill). But, when I’m fully loaded for a longish cruise and we’re out to have a pleasurable time, I’m more interested in working with Mother Nature to do my best to provide comfortable crossings and passages (sometimes motoring at the same time to keep pace with the swells). When there’s time to slow down (travelling at a maximum speed of approximately 5 knots (9 km) and usually wanting to be at the dock or anchored well before sundown can require keeping up the speed so we can arrive at our destination at an appropriate time)… then I’m happy to stop the engine noise and sail gently along towards our destination. At this pace, I’ll even troll a fishing line if we’re in the right place.
Regardless of the timing, the destination, or the desire for adventure - there are times when we experience ‘too much wind’. These include winds that are unstable and gusting to the point they hit the sails so strongly the boat responds by trying to lay down on her side… not fun (and the clean up below from exploding cupboards and all things loose and not nailed down taking flight- even though you had secured everything you could before leaving - the clean up is no fun either. It also includes winds that are working at odds with the seas and this can happen quite quickly. It feels like you’ve sailed into a mix-master… again, not much fun. Funnily enough, it also includes winds that are too light and don’t give the boat enough of a push to keep up with the waves, leaving the boat wallowing between the swells. These are times when the best way forward is using the engine to maintain a more comfortable speed.
Needless to say, I could go on but I’ll slow down here to say… when the boat and crew meet up with a delightful combination of wind and sea… the result is so magnificent it’s hard to describe; and IT is the drug that keeps us sailors coming back for more - that and the opportunity to explore new shores and anchorages.
The silent swish of the hull moving gently through the quiet sea is the nectar that calls us back, time after time. Sailing quietly through pink fog as the morning sun warms and slowly dissolves the fog around you and sailing in the (distant) company of whales or porpoises well that is just plain awesome. And, let me not forget to mention the delightful people, the fellow sailors (power and sail) we meet along the way. All of these reasons are why I keep coming back - even if sometimes there is too much or too little wind.
As John Masefield said in his famous poem ‘ Sea Fever’
“ I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sails shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.”
Wishing you all calm seas and gentle (but steady) winds. We’re off to Lund today. We may even get to sail 😊
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| Rule #1: Don’t scare the crew… |
