PDQ Yachts 36 Capella Owner's Manual page 32

Safety for Conditions
(Continued)
seamanship by balancing weather conditions, crew experience and skill against the
vessel's load. In other words, safe loading is a relative condition, which depends on
variables that only you are in a position to evaluate and decide upon.
Sailing in Strong Winds
Sailing in strong winds in a well built, well-equipped boat can be exciting. There is
however, a point when strong winds become excessive.
seamanship is knowing when enough is enough.
It is not possible to be precise about when sail area should be reduced. Crew skills and
attitude, the stability of the wind and the state of the sea will all affect boat handling
decisions. In dealing with a high or rapidly rising wind, the goal is to reduce the wind's
power on your boat and, by responding to changes quickly and smoothly, maintain
everyone's confidence in your collective ability to deal with the weather.
Changes should begin to happen early in the rising wind speed. If changes are made in
good time, no one becomes alarmed, their confidence remains high and they cope
better.
• De-power the main by flattening it with the outhaul,
• Raise the traveler and ease the sheet, so the main's upper section twists off
to leeward.
When do you reef? An old rule of thumb that's still worth remembering says, "reef
when it first occurs to you." Do it before people start getting worried, and do it before
it becomes a struggle.
PDQ 36 Capella - Owner's Manual
Cruising Under Sail 6-3
(Continued)
A major part of good