How Will Our Performance Sailing Catamaran Fare in a Storm | Harbors Unknown Ep. 12

How Will Our Performance Sailing Catamaran Fair in a Storm? | #HarborsUnknown Ep. 12

After watching this video, if you'd like to see how the Seawind 1600 #sailingcatamaran performs in other conditions, watch this video https://youtu.be/vt6HGRHcm6Y or this playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCwNmkqXr8562e564Xf2Ih6i-VSvG9POu .

We spent the past week at the lovely #StockIslandMarina just across the bridge from #KeyWest. Today we planned to sail our #Seawind1600 #catamaran from Stock Island to No Name Harbor in Biscayne Bay, 131 nautical miles. What we didn’t realize was the front out in the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida was now making its way over the southern part of the Keys and right over us. With gusts to 31 knots we were about to see how well the Seawind 1600 performs in heavy wind, rain and 6 foot seas. Luckily it didn’t last long, and sunny skies followed right behind the front.

With lightning flashing in the distance and black skies overhead, we headed north towards #BiscayneBay. It was about 6:30 am, though you’d never know it from the sky. Some folks at the marina had been talking about a front off the west coast of Florida, but we didn’t realize part of that would make its way over the southern part of the Keys. We had checked Windy and saw the wind was going to be in our favor, about 20 knots from the southwest. We just didn’t see the storm that was a part of that.

We referenced the handbook to see at what wind speed the first and second reef should be taken. The first reef in the main and jib should be taken at 22-24 knots of wind and the second reef should be taken at 25-27 knots. With the apparent wind already in the low 20’s we decided to start with two reefs. You have to turn into the wind to take a reef which is uncomfortable in heavy winds. We’ve heard you can reef when #sailingdownwind but haven’t found any videos on it. Leave a comment down below if you have any information on reefing downwind.

We left the engine on because the wind was unpredictable and we wanted to go as fast as we could to get out of the storm. As the heaviest part of the storm passed over us the wind got sucked out and rain fell in buckets so we lowered the main and furled the jib.

After about 2 hours the storm passed over us completely and the clouds parted to reveal blue skies. There were so many flocks of birds feeding on fish at the water’s surface. The black winged, white breasted frigates, and mostly white terns dove down to pluck the small ballyhoo from the water’s surface for a delicious meal. Ballyhoo are running this time of year and tuna, sailfish, wahoo and kingfish chase them to the surface.

When the weather cleared we pulled out only the screecher. We now also wanted to hoist the main so we first had to furl the screecher, which we’re still having trouble with on a port tack because we have only one winch which holds the sheet and the sail has to be furled by hand. Not an easy task.

We then turned into the wind and hoisted the main sail. Once the main was hoisted we resumed course and pulled the screecher out again.

The wind direction changed and was now off our beam at about 22 knots apparent so we furled the screecher and pulled out the jib. Storm clouds surrounded us but fortunately stayed away.

We toyed with the idea of #sailing straight through to Ft. Lauderdale. We would arrive at two/three o’clock in the morning but at least we’d be home and wouldn’t have to navigate the tricky Biscayne Bay channel at dark. However the seas were quite choppy and the ride was becoming uncomfortable so we stuck with our original plan and headed for Biscayne Bay to anchor for the night while enjoying a beautiful sunset.

As the year comes to an end we tend to reflect on everything that occurred throughout the year. We’re so grateful for everyone that watches our videos, and we have truly enjoyed conversing with you all in the comments. It has been wonderful to be immersed in a creative project again. Thank you so much for your support. It would help us if you’d give this video a thumbs up and leave us a comment down below.

We’re looking forward to all of the adventures to come. #HappyNewYear!

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Timestamps
00:00 - 00:42 Episode Intro
00:43-01:16 Channel Intro
01:17-10:30 Sailing in the Storm
10:31-18:26 Performance in Clear Skies + Fair Winds
18:27-19:18 Sunset Sail Closing

Music is from Epidemic Sound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/qvrz67/

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