Recognizing Build Wind Pressure

PRESSURE is the force of the wind pushing into the sails.

More wind equals more pressure.
More pressure equals more heel and more steering load.

Heavy wind problems usually begin before sailors react.

Early signs of increasing pressure include:

• Increased force in the sails
• Stronger pull on the tiller
• Sheets becoming harder to pull in
• Boat accelerating quickly
• Louder sail noise
• The boat trying to turn into the wind

WEATHER HELM

WEATHER HELM is when the boat pulls toward the wind and the tiller feels heavy.

If not corrected early, this leads to a ROUND UP.

ROUND UP

A ROUND UP is an uncontrolled turn sharply into the wind caused by excessive heel and weather helm.

During a round up, the boat may head all the way into the wind and the sails may luff loudly.

GUST

A GUST is a sudden, short increase in wind speed.

Gusts create extra pressure in the sails and increase heel quickly.

Recognizing these signs early prevents emergency reactions.