Michael,
As I stated in previous posts, the R22 doesn't have a heavy tiller, even  
under gusty conditions. Your rudder is incorrectly deployed. Simply release the  
main sheet as you see the gust coming and retrieve after it has passed. This  
isn't rocket science and there is not magic involved. Since this is your first 
 boat and your first year, it's simply a matter of getting more experience 
under  various conditions and with different weight onboard (crew).
My crew actually sits on the gunnel. Seats are made for sitting on after  the 
sails have been stowed and your relaxing.
 
Rummy
 
 
In a message dated 9/8/2008 11:50:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
mticse at gmail.com writes:


My  point in this thread is how other Rhodies deal w/ gusts  considering
potential passengers/wives on board. Mind you in earlier posts  I have now
taken advantage early reefing & infinite reef points of our  IMF and learning
that a flat boat is a good thing, as opposed to the  testoterone filled
heeling at 25 degrees w/ water coming over the gunnels  which I early summer
(which I still love!)

This is my 1st real year  of sailing. The Rhodes my first sailboat. 

I'm just wondering the  adjustments people make during gusts and what order.
Do you stay on course  and manage a heavy tiller? Head into the wind. Let out
the main sail. Reef  and how much at a time? 

Our mainsail was full and our jib at 2/3 out  (jib clew is touching the
outer-middle stay) and really only had several  gusts, maintained course, had
a heavy tiller, 98% of the time we happy  sailing! On outing w/ my wife and
kids. Our main sail would center right on  the R logo (approx 2/3's sail) w/
the jib about where the forward stay is  and we're able to keep heeling at a
minimum.

Michael


Rob  Lowe wrote:

> 
> Michael,
> I would suggest that is normal  sailing on a Rhodes 22.  Gusts happen.
> And you still had 6 inches  of free board.  Wait until water starts
> slipping over the gunnel  :)  But your point about how the admiral would
> react is well  taken.  Mine had to get used to the idea that sailboats do
> heel  in gusts.  The first year we had the boat she would almost panic
>  when we heeled over.  Now she's mostly used to it.  Sometimes things  fly
> around the boat.  I dumped both dogs and the seat cushions  onto the
> cockpit floor yesterday.  Oops.  Have confidence in  your boat.  Now,
> that being said, there are things you can do to  minimize the effects.
> I, like Lou, will dump the main if needed, but  that's going to roll the
> boat in the other direction and drop all your  forward momentum which
> might be as unsettling as heeling over for a  bit.  Best to ease the main
> and head up if you can.  During  heavy gusts, on-course can give way to
> sailing flat.  Shoot, out  of the lake yesterday, there was no on-course.
> I think the wind came  from a sector about 100 degree wide, so we just go
> where the wind  wants to blow us.   Mostly, I watch for gusts.  I lake
>  sail and can usually see the gusts coming across the lake towards me  and
> even warn my crew they are coming.  But your crew will have  to know and
> get used to the they are on a sail boat and sail boats  heel and that the
> captain knows what s/he's doing and can respond as  needed.  Good luck. -
> rob
> 
> -----Original  Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>  [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of MichaelT
>  Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 10:30 AM
> To:  rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Handling  Gusts
> 
> 
> We experienced approx 4-5 gusts of wind in our  3 hour sail yesterday. I
> was
> just imagining if our wives we're  onboard how frantic they would have
> been.
> 
> In those  instances, the weather helm gave way to a heavy tiller with the
> tiller  positioned at 45 degree to windward to remain on-course. I was
>  considering letting the main sheet out but the gusts all happen in  about
> 10-20 seconds and then disappears.
> 
> How do you  guys handle gusts of wind? 
> 
> Especially when the gusts causes  heavy heeling (gunnel 6" from water)
> 
> Michael
> --  
> View this message in context:
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