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Most properly trimmed sailboats made today can travel within 45 degrees of the eye of the wind. Some, racing types, can come up to 33 degrees.(?) Cruising sailors find that wave action and the 'comfort factor plays a greater roll in determining the boats positioning to the wind. The comfort zone being from 55 degrees to 160 degrees off the wind. Closer than 55 degrees causes excessive heeling and at 180 (dead downwind) you have a tendancy to roll. Both of these conditions cause complaints from the Cook, kids and the Admiral's girlfriend, Not to be sexiest that might be the boyfriend!Winds in the Gulf tend to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction in 7 to 10 day cycles after a cold front comes through. The normal winds come from the south-southwest this leaves Galveston down wind from almost any southern port. By leaving Galveston on the back of a Norther you can get 200 to 300 miles 'southing' before having to shift to a beam, or worse, tack. The down side being you have to ride out some fairly good size seas in the first day or so if you misjudge and leave too soon. If you leave too late you loose the wind advantage, kinda' a judgement call, but that makes sailing an art as much as a sport or sience. I try to leave on the first clear day of north winds, under 25 knots, after the front passes. That reminds me of the time I ended up in 26 foot seas on my way to Vera Cruz, but thats' another story and...... Tune in for more articles of a nautical nature � |