thanks for having me

[david knowles]

new member david knowles lots of ocean miles and ex over last 25 years but

currently single handing my pahi 31 cat around the med on a shoe string bugget ive over 35000 sea miles but iam terrified of my first big weather in this cat i have read report on report but can anyone give me some first hand advice ive read all on james wharrams site but anything new will help thank

[boatman61]

Hi Dave... Welcome to CF mate..
How long have you owned the Pahi... and what/how are your beams attatched...
I have ridden a SW F7 gusting 8 from Cherbourg to Poole with full sail on a GRP Tiki 26... my problem was the hatches... poorly designed/built let tons of water into the hulls.. there were times waves were sweeping the hulls and deck...
By the time I reached Poole they sloshing back and forth of all that water was horrible...

[david knowles]

only owned the pahi 18months but had major eye reconstruction 12 months ago so only put 900 nm in single handed portugal to ibiza and back f5 heavyist weather no real probs but would like any info for when the going get heavy tactics real life experiences ect yes my frount hatchs leaked fixed with duck tape its a wharram landy of the sea

[boatman61]

On my 21 (home build) I had cleats through bolted with blocks filling the H beams... on the fwd beams just by the inner lashings... used these for anchoring with a bridle... held beautifully keeping the stresses on the strongest part of the boat and free from chafing... a sea anchor/drogue should work equally well in weather.. or if you've the sea room run before with a handkerchief of jib...
But the best plan is time your journeys for favourable weather windows... unless your headed for the Caribbean...
You'll get hit at least once on a crossing.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
The Wharram our club had was a 23. Fun sailing boat.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, David.

[seamus walsh]

David - I have had a Pahi 31 on West Coast of Ireland since 1992. I have been caught in heavy weather as you would expect here. Luckily never for too long. However I have been very happy with the performance. I can carry some small sail and heave-to without losing ground in surprisingly heavy conditions. With the helm lashed I can point up to meet the waves in comfort. The true course would be a slow square drift or a little better.
The one thing was that I had the old original beams which balanced on central bolts I found this arrangement useless in heavy seas. And make SURE the forward hatches cannot come loose and that you can pump the forward lockers without going forward or opening them by fitting a section of hose or similar in the w/tight bulkhead to use a pump from the cabin.
The info. on this site Wharram Builders and Friends - A Photo & Discussion Forum for Wharram Design Enthusiasts I find better than the "official" site. Check out the Small Pahi Group.