The Sailing Brothersvideo
FAIL SAIL / Beating To Weather In a NEAR GALE / Ep 125
20 August 2023 · 23 min · 23K views · Tahuata
What this video covers
A 23-nautical-mile coastal passage near Hivero turns into a forced retreat when the crew encounters unexpected head-on winds, a counter-current, and steep, confused seas.1:26 The sailors initially attempt to beat into 20-to-30-knot winds through an acceleration zone between two mountainous islands, but they abandon the plan after finding the destination anchorage exposed and untenable.2:14 During the return leg, the crew rigs a triple-reefed mainsail and a storm jib to manage gusts exceeding 30 knots.12:18 A technical failure occurs when the furling line slips from the winch, causing the genoa to unfurl violently and the sheet to pull through the car.16:30 The crew eventually drops the sails and motors the final distance to return to their original anchorage.20:53 The experience highlights the difficulty of navigating wind-funneling acceleration zones and the necessity of recognizing when to abort a passage to avoid dangerous conditions.
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