Te Leeward Shore


sails and centerboard may be stalled or intermittently stalling. A fast move to the outboard motor might be too late and rocks or other bottom features can bend a prop or kick the engine up. Let’s take a look at a few lee shore


factors pertaining to small boats, rec- ognizing there are many boat types and skill levels.


Few terms in the lexicon of boating strike fear in the heart as does “lee shore.” Te leeward or lee shore is that upon which the wind blows or more precisely the shoreline downwind of your boat as you are sailing, rowing or motoring. In most cases a lee shore is not a problem. Seasoned sailors respect them and a new sailor might ask, “What’s the big deal?” So, for those relatively new to boats here are a few points to ponder. Our world of land and water is skewed


toward water at something like 71% of the planet’s surface. Tis means there are lee shores everywhere along our watery paths. In fact, any shore can be a lee shore depending on wind direction. Lee shores come in many configurations or types ranging from sandy shallows, submerged reefs, beaches, boulder shorelines, rocky cliffs, etc. To these I add sea walls, pilings, piers and docks. Configuration hardly matters except when things go awry and you are not able to pass safely. A prudent sailor knows to give them a wide berth in certain situations or weather condi- tions lest a battle of clawing off to safety ensues, oſt referred to as a “near-miss or disaster.” “Clawing off,” you ask? Sounds a bit


desperate because it can be. Passing a lee shore close-in can spring a trap of sorts if we are not mindful of the danger presented and how to mitigate it. If all goes well because you are prepared with a good boat, skills and weather knowledge, think nothing of it. What if the weather changes or you suffer a rig or rudder fail- ure? In a matter of moments, a lee shore can seem akin to a vortex of swirling circumstances hell-bent on dragging you and your boat into an unwanted ordeal at best, and at worst a wreck on shore. The act of clawing off a lee shore


involves moves you make under sail, oar, power or anchor to get away from land. You may someday find yourself in breaking surf or clapotis. Your boat may be bouncing along hitting bottom, your


50 Clapotis - A hydrodynamic term


describing reflecting waves colliding with incoming waves. This reflection is caused by a barrier or shoreline of some sort. Clapotis (clapping) form as non-breaking, confused vertical stand- ing waves. Tis phenomenon makes for very difficult steering as rudder blades lose grip and sails begin to slat and lose power at the very moment power is needed. Tis phenomenon is difficult to steer through and can cause the laminar flow of air over sails and water flow over foils to break away, causing intermittent stalls and starts in power and steering. Tis likely means lack of ability to make progress to weather or VMG. You will need sufficient sail power to “claw off” of a lee shore. It’s easy to be fooled by the feeling of progress through the water, up and over breaking waves. Breaking waves, your bow wave, spray and wake may create action that can fool you into thinking you are making real progress. Te only distance that counts is distance gained over the bottom, away from land. Be sure to gauge progress against noted fixed landmarks if possible. VMG or BMG - Velocity made good


is the speed at which you are making progress directly upwind or directly downwind. In the case of a lee shore it will be upwind. Perhaps think in terms of BMG or “Bottom Made Good” in this situation as distance to safety over the bottom is what counts. Bottom Drag - Without getting into


a long theoretical explanation suffice it to say, when your small boat is sailing in very shallow water (four feet or less) you may begin to experience a loss of speed due to bottom drag phenomenon. Te shallower the water, the greater the effect. In other words, if the bow wave of your boat builds higher than it would in deeper water, it is creating a greater volume of displaced water that must be handled by the stern of your boat. Tis means more drag and a resultant loss of


velocity.


What To Do: Ranges and Benchmarks - If you can,


quickly identify landmarks (trees, boul- ders, structures) you can use as bench- marks to gauge progress to weather. Ground Tackle and Oars - It’s smart


to carry two anchors, and oars always rigged and on the ready. Anchors, if ready to deploy, may allow you to buy time, or you can work two together, one after another to pull your small boat through surf to deeper water. Blade the Jib and Play the Main - For


boats with head sails I suggest trimming the jib boiler plate flat. If solo I’ll cleat it but on the ready to let fly. Ten I’ll sail close to the edge of luffing playing the main in and out. Te main (lugsail the same) is your boat’s engine, power on, power off to counteract over heeling while driving the boat forward. A cen- terboard played up and down will help immensely, a daggerboard may prove more difficult. Sail a Scallop Course - Should you


find you are in surf or shallows and losing power, it is time to act. Put the helm down, raise the centerboard/dag- gerboard just enough to clear bottom, head up, trim for power and momentum, punch through the first wave. It is critical to maintain forward movement to keep laminar wind flow attached over sails and water over foils to achieve weath- er-ability. As you head up (just to the jib luff breaking point, don’t pinch), luff the main a bit or trim for a little power as your boat crests the wave top. At the crest immediately focus on the next wave, quick glance at landmark for progress, begin to ease the main and fall off just a little for power. As your boat lands in the trough bear off ever so slightly across the wave trough for power but not too far off wind as every bit of bottom gained is the game. Immediately head up with power and punch through the next wave, repeat the VMG producing-power process. Don’t over trim: “When in doubt, let it out.” All the while this is happening you can be playing the centerboard. Tis will result in a scalloping course to weather and safety. It’s smart to think about your course,


sail a weatherly boat, have anchors at the ready and give lee shores a wide berth. I’ll see you out there! •SCA•


SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR


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