Handling Storms at Sea

Price: £19.99

The wealth of experience, which Hal Roth exhibits in his excellent book on the handling of sailing craft under extreme storm conditions, is used to describe how to survive in situations most recreational sailors would hope never to encounter.

However, his practical common sense solutions in dealing with the various aspects of heavy weather sailing in the great oceans of the world, gives us all some very useful pointers to our own boat handling, in one hopes, rather less extreme conditions. As wind conditions progressively increase, Hal details the most effective reefing methods as winds reach Force 6, heaving to in Force 7, lying a-hull in Force 8 and running off in a full gale. In the most severe conditions, he advocates the deployment of a sea anchor from the bows or preferably a drogue from the stern to slow the boat down and to keep it aligned with the wind, and explores the merits of the various drogue designs available.

As an alternative to heaving to, the practicalities of fore reaching under a reefed mainsail or a storm trysail are discussed, as well as the mechanics of hurricanes. Diagrams are used to illustrate where to locate a boat in respect to the eye, in order to have the best chance of survival, if caught in its path.

There are also some excellent chapters on the general planning of long passages and he closes with the reproduction of Admiral FitzRoy’s (of Beagle fame) 1858 paper entitled “Barometer and Weather Guide” which gives advice on the interpretation of barometric readings. This advice is still as sound today as it was then and is of particular relevance to all of us who sail for pleasure.

Hal Roth’s book provides a most interesting and informative read and reminds us all of the ever constant need for the careful planning of any cruise regardless of it’s length, if we are to avoid the risk of an encounter with the conditions he describes with such enthusiasm. - RWF