Heaving to advice

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Cynara

We didn't want to tack and in 60 knots of wind I would not attempt a libe.

We just sat there going nowhere. Windvane kept the boat in the same place. We just settled in until the winds died down a bit. Never touched the wheel.

Apologies.. I misread your post about not going fast enough to tack it seems..
On a re-read I got what you meant..

[sailcrazy]

following. In our 23 years sailing our present boat (Taswell 43, re-rigged as a cutter)we've never felt the need to heave-to.......and have not! I guess its maybe time to try it-just to know how this boat may do it!

[Benz]

Cruising with less engine than most (I have an 8hp outboard on my heavy 31' cutter), I find heaving-to a very useful thing. Since I can't guarantee doing X knots for X long, I just sail toward my destination, then if I have to I heave-to to avoid arriving somewhere in the dark: just stop the boat a dozen miles out and wait for daylight to sail in. It was useful when waiting for a fair tide outside a Salvadorean bar crossing; I've used it to wait for a fair breeze when beating was impractical; I've done it to change headsails when alone. I often do it when anchoring: heave to where I want to drop the hook, then drift backward while taking in the sails.
When I do it right, my boat makes a gorgeous slick to windward, which calms the chop. I'd hate to cruise without the option.