Hi Arne,

Thank you for the quick response. In these conditions with wind something like 10 knots and waves around 2 feet I probably would have been better off taking the whole sail down and just lying ahull. I would like to have some sort of strategy for stopping and waiting in bigger weather. Maybe a windvane is needed.

Edit: I found an excellent discussion on this topic here.

Do you have any thoughts on the creaking and groaning as the sail swings back and forth?

I need some help.

After enjoying all the things that my current boat and junk rig do better than my previous boat, I have now found one case where the South Coast 23 with a full keel and Bermudian Mast Head rig was more pleasant.

With the jib backwinded, the main sheeted all the way in, and the tiller pushed all the way to leeward the SC23 would heave-to beautifully. The boat would stop and sit there, balanced by the wind, drifting just enough so that the uncomfortable motion from the waves disappeared. It was like magic. It was almost silent.

A couple of days ago I tried to get my junk rigged S2 6.7 to slowly forereach for a few hours while I got some rest. I had the sheet let out some and the tiller fixed slightly to leeward. The actual course and speed were more or less what I intended. The boat would round up slightly, lose drive from the sail, fall back off the wind, and then do it all over again. I think I did the maneuver correctly.

But the noise!

Something, somewhere, in the rig creaks and groans when the sail swings back and forth. I think it is the tack parrel and/or the yard hauling parrel that squeak and creak and groan as they slide around the mast. 

The battens bonking against the mast were also very loud and chaotic. 

Both of these noises were happening the whole time, as the sail continually oscillated between being powered up and luffing. The sound was much louder down below with the entire hull vibrating. I could not really get any rest.

I hope I can improve this behavior. I would appreciate hearing any advice anyone may have.

Scott.

Eric wrote:

Bonjour

For me the most important issue is to be able to clip the harness while INSIDE the hull.

During the Jester Challenge on a Figaro 1 a pointy with several headsails, spinnaker...

I used to live with my harness clipped day and night : the dangerous event is when you have to go on deck after something unsuspected went wrong.

I had a double tether a long one to be inside (clipped at the companion way) and the short one at helm or working on deck. I added to the hull on both side a rope, swinging to the hull on which I could clip the short tether once overboard to be able to reach the stern and the safety ladder. In addition I had permanently a knife around the neck to be able to cut the long tether.

But Jester Challenge by the North route neither the Figaro 1 in racing mode should not really be considered as a cruising reference.

I also had on board a safety suit TPS (cotten) that I used once.

https://www.qwant.com/?client=brz-moz&t=videos&q=sauvetage+escofier+&o=0%3AU0-gIoBaNEc

It's the only safety suit that you may wear before. It is as confortable as an oilskin, the gloves are separated and the incorporated water tight socks are compatible with the sea boots. It has being developed in collaboration with the Vendée Globe skippers.

Eric

Bonjour Eric,

I was not able to find anything with the link you gave. I think this is the suit you were talking about. I am sure that this would be on my boat, and probably on me most of the time, if I was doing any racing or handling headsails on deck. I don't have any interest in either of those things. I find going up near the bow while the boat is pitching up and down in waves absolutely terrifying.

I am prepared to do it if the rig gets fouled or breaks, but my plan is to stay in the cockpit unless I am in a harbor.

What happened when you needed to use the suit?

Bonjour

For me the most important issue is to be able to clip the harness while INSIDE the hull.

During the Jester Challenge on a Figaro 1 a pointy with several headsails, spinnaker...

I used to live with my harness clipped day and night : the dangerous event is when you have to go on deck after something unsuspected went wrong.

I had a double tether a long one to be inside (clipped at the companion way) and the short one at helm or working on deck. I added to the hull on both side a rope, swinging to the hull on which I could clip the short tether once overboard to be able to reach the stern and the safety ladder. In addition I had permanently a knife around the neck to be able to cut the long tether.

But Jester Challenge by the North route neither the Figaro 1 in racing mode should not really be considered as a cruising reference.

I also had on board a safety suit TPS (cotten) that I used once.

https://www.qwant.com/?client=brz-moz&t=videos&q=sauvetage+escofier+&o=0%3AU0-gIoBaNEc

It's the only safety suit that you may wear before. It is as confortable as an oilskin, the gloves are separated and the incorporated water tight socks are compatible with the sea boots. It has being developed in collaboration with the Vendée Globe skippers.

Eric

Scott,

with you about a harness line that does not allow you out of the cockpit..but when you really need it is in an emergency and you have to rush up forward.  A longer one also allows you to go below without taking it off. 
Have a look for survival suits on EBay, I got a Guy Cotton ex North Sea suit for less than £100. About £700 new.