Yourbestsailvideo
The doldrums
23 April 2023 · 14 min · 11K views
What this video covers
Heaving-to allows a sailboat to significantly reduce forward speed and maintain a stable position, which is essential for resting, cooking, weathering storms, or performing a man-overboard recovery.2:40 The standard technique begins on a close-hauled course.4:53 The crew executes a tack but leaves the headsail sheeted on the original side, causing the sail to back-wind or "back" against the mast.5:09 By locking the helm hard to windward, the opposing forces of the backed headsail and the mainsail balance the vessel, causing it to drift slowly to leeward rather than sailing forward.5:59 An alternative method avoids the need to tack, which is safer in extreme conditions.9:30 By easing the leeward headsail sheet and winching in the windward sheet while maintaining the current heading, the sailor achieves the same backed-sail configuration.11:32 Before heaving-to, partially furling the headsail prevents the sail from chafing against spreaders or rigging.12:51 While full-keel boats typically hold a stable 60-degree angle to the wind, modern fin-keel designs may require fine-tuning to prevent the bow from falling off to 90 degrees.6:47 Mastering both heaving-to methods provides a reliable way to stop a vessel quickly with minimal crew.12:35
More from Yourbestsail
From Yourbestsail — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.