Smallest angle of heel

[rgscpat]

Also: Time on the boat is NOT the same thing as time on the helm with a patient, trustworthy expert showing her all of the ways to control the boat and its heel. There is no substitute for direct, hands-on knowledge of how the boat works and responds.

Also, every responsible captain should ensure that his or her principal crew members understand the boat and its critical systems, and are able to control the boat and communicate with the world in the event the captain can not. And if I were the skipper, I'd sure as hell want my crew to be able to rescue me in the event of going overboard -- and have a crew that is willing and motivated to do so.

You have done MOB/COB drills, right? If you are incapacitated or injured or overtaken by any emergency, quite possibly hours or even days from assistance, you are fully confident in your crew's ability to respond quickly and skillfully, right?

[Hudson Force]

I still stand with the plan that, for island hopping in the Caribbean, the main variable is selecting the weather and the proper reefing when necessary.

In addition, even though my wife is comfortable with heeling and live aboard cruising for over forty years, she is prone to some light motion sickness. During times when she is subject to any potential nausea, she's most comfortable at the helm. It's much the same as many are aware that the driver of the car is less likely to become car sick.

I suppose your wife's issue is more the uncomfortable feeling with the heel than motion sickness, but it's likely that being in control at the helm will be helpful. Of course, all this requires her gaining experience as others have said above.

[JPA Cate]

Hi, again,

You guys are all approaching the issue of distraction, now, and I'll second it: it is just that if you have something necessary to do, your attention becomes task focused, to the exclusion of paying attention to what is bothering you. So, sure, being on the helm is good, it also places your body in the best physical position to keep your ears parallel to the horizon, which will help with motion sickness.

I do think, though, that as long as she is willing, skills training and experience is what will help most. Lots of women and perhaps some guys are put off by heeling; a long time ago there was a man, wife, and son on a Bounty 47, and she "wouldn't let the boys heel the boat"--and they went along with it. But when all is said and done, they were in Mexico, and enjoying it, and a lot of other folks were still wannabees.

Most women are both educable and can build confidence along with skill building, and as GILow said above, desensitization will occur with it.

I don't know whether the OP's wife reads CF, but the comment above relative to the skipper wanting/needing crew skilled enough to rescue both of them if need be, is quite germane. I hope she gets that message, too. Wives, for their own safety and well being as crew, need to acquire skills, and often a course is a good, usable way to do it.

Ann

[HappyMdRSailor]

More input on the OP's question.... Without addressing the issue of converting your wife... Or looking for another compatible partner (Thanks Ann for post regarding this)....

My 33 OI heels less than about every other mono I've been on.... inexperienced guests are elated....

My 2 cents....

[tg32879]

Well man, you will just have to go through your own experience. Just a tip! Report well your logbook and suddenly, when you report you went to sleep and in the morning, she was no longer to find on bord, you might go along with. Good luck

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

I still stand with the plan that, for island hopping in the Caribbean, the main variable is selecting the weather and the proper reefing when necessary.

Not limited to the Caribbean. I don't like heeling and when we start hitting 15 degrees I start thinking reef. Newer design monos mostly aren't designed to need a lot of heel to get to design waterline and too much heel is just dragging the boat along while spilling ones drink.

[DSDman]

How you sail and the rig will determine the amount of heel. I can't believe no one had suggested the ketch. My better half does not like the heel either so I went with a ketch. We can run jib and jigger at 7.5 knots in stiff 20+ knot wind on a broad reach with very little heel. For ease of sail and comfort I really like my ketch.

[ricorrea2002]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Hi, again,

"I hope she gets that message, too. Wives, for their own safety and well being as crew, need to acquire skills, and often a course is a good, usable way to do it."

Ann

Thanks Ann. This is the plan.

I'm very grateful for the advise received.

Some comments about them

-Cats are not my preference, why? I don't know, perhaps for their slow tacking

-Ketchs will be added to my list

-Some suggestions about ballast, SA/D ratio were welcome

-hopping island and choosing winds is a good idea (I'm not commited with any calendar)

-We are a couple +50, I have experience in sailing for over 20 year, in small boats (15 to 25 ft) btw I compete in Snipe regattas.
My wife joint me few times, but in boats with "quick heeling" (in spanish are called "muy vivos" it means like "lively"), and she did not feel well.

However she is willing to try again and, a more stable boat will make her life happier.

Thanks for all the comments

[Blue Crab]

Good thread.