Talk:Heaving to

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[edit] How to

I don't agree with the {howto} template being added here, but will refrain from removing it atm. A how-to would be "First do A. Make sure that B. Then, do C." Whereas a discussion of the technique in an encyclopaedic tone is perfectly reasonable.

Heaving to under reduced sail is often employed by recreational sailors on small boats, as well as cruisers on larger boats. US Sailing's page on "Points of Sail" includes a graphic showing the basic steps at http://www.sailingusa.info/points_of_sail.htm. The skipper keeps the jib cleated but starts to tack. As the bow of the boat turns into the wind, the jib will be on the "wrong side" of the boat and be "back winded". As the boat stalls, the skipper pushes the tiller to leeward (or turns the wheel windward), and lashes it down. Some sailors prefer to ease the main sheet until the main sail stops luffing, while others prefer to bring the mainsail to mid-point on the traveler and cleat it there. The boat will tend to move forward a bit, while slipping leeward a bit. In many boats, the amount of slippage leeway is twice that of forward motion, so care must be taken to allow enough seaway.

Seems fine to me, though could do with further copyediting. Stevage 07:54, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

I tend to agree with your assessment. I changed the template from howto to Copyedit. That's a perfectly valid process description, not so much a howto. However, it presumes understanding of much nautical terminology. I'll try to revisit this and either prune it down to make it easier to swallow, or expand it with descriptions to make it sweeter. Of course, I will not be the least bit offended if somebody beats me to it. Bigwyrm 04:09, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

The point of lying hove-to is to create a von karman vortex street, or "slick" and to keep the approaching waves in that slick It causes the waves to break prematurely and saps much of the energy from from these waves and provides a more agreeable motion to the boat. If the vessel has much forereach (that is moving forward) it may very likely sail out of the protection of this slick To reduce "slipage" leeway or help hold the vessel in the slick some skippers may use a drouge or sea anchor. 84.254.188.2 02:36, 9 September 2007 (UTC)2cents

[edit] Layman's Terms

Instead of laying on thickly a bunch of sea terminology in a supposed attempt to explain other sea terms, how about actually explaining what you're talking about to the rest of us, who are waiting under 'bated wind, lor' blimey!

Instead of being a jerk why don't you re-phrase your request in a more civil tone? Nah, nevermind, I'll go write another article and donate some cash to the cause, it's such a wonderful user group here. lor' blimey! 72.235.238.233 00:08, 14 November 2007 (UTC)fugetaboutit