CASTING OFF 20 REEFING MADNESS

by David Casey

a boat can head into the wind and be driven, or lifted, forward like a vertical wing (although I know that Cross was referring to the miracle of what sailing does for our peace of mind). But because of various realities of physics, that driving force also produces a heeling effect in strong breezes.

It’s always alarming and unnerving to hear objects falling from their stowed location in the cockpit or cabin as the wind unexpectedly jumps up a few knots. Even if we were to anticipate the shifting gravity of a hard heel for cabin items, and either anchor them in place or remove them altogether, we’d still have to brace our bodies as they heavily lean toward the drowning toe rail — a situation that is uncomfortable for passenger and vessel alike.