Can You Put A Sailing Catamaran Hove To?

Heaving to is a crucial maneuver for any sailboat, including full-keel cruisers, fin-keel racers, catamarans, trimarans, cutters, and ketches. It is mainly used as a heavy weather defense strategy but can also be used to delay harbor entrances, fix something, or have lunch. In boats with headsail-mainsail sail plans, heaving to is most effective.

On a catamaran, most catamarans cannot heave to due to their shallow keels. However, a sloop sailing along normally can render the sailboat to be hoved to by using the windward sheet and releasing the other. This ensures a faster, safer, and more comfortable ride.

On a catamaran, heaving is very simple, but it depends on the boat and conditions. For example, most ketches and yawls may heave to nicely with just the mizzen or mizzen staysail set. The main should be reefed according to wind speed to fine tune the hove-to angle. To make the boat forereach effectively, strong storm sails are needed.

To approach close-hauled, lie on the tack opposite of the one you’re on, sheet the jib in tight, tack, and leave the jibsheet cleated. Steer the boat back toward the same tack and then approach close-hauled from any wind angle.

In summary, heaving to is a crucial maneuver for any sailboat, offering safety, rest, and opportunities for repairs or meals. It is essential to learn this skill and practice it on various types of boats to achieve optimal results.