Heavy Weather Helming in 35 Knots

With around 600 miles remaining to Lanzarote, we're once again experiencing some serious Atlantic weather aboard Osprey, our 80-foot Grand Mistral racing yacht. The wind is blowing around 30 knots, with 35 knots forecast overnight. But during daylight hours, we have an opportunity to develop one of the most valuable skills in offshore sailing: confidently and safely helming a powerful yacht through heavy weather. Our crew come from a wide range of sailing backgrounds, and this is a chance to learn how a large yacht behaves as waves pass beneath her, and how small, well-timed helm movements can make an enormous difference. The key is anticipating the boat's rate of turn, using the compass and visual reference points to understand how her bow is moving. As a wave lifts the stern, the underwater shape of the hull changes, creating asymmetric forces that can cause the yacht to round up into the wind. The helmsman's job is to recognise that movement, apply the necessary correction, and then immediately ease the rudder pressure as the boat responds. Holding the helm over too long creates overcorrection, with the yacht wandering from side to side rather than maintaining a steady course. We're approaching this exercise with absolute respect for the conditions. Osprey is deeply reefed, with four of our five reefs taken in and our dependable J5 headsail set. Everyone on deck is double-clipped, the boat is secured below, and we've deliberately chosen suitable open water for the exercise. We also have established heavy-weather alternatives, including heaving to or dropping sail and lying ahull if conditions require it. What's particularly rewarding is seeing how much the crew have developed over the last two weeks. Earlier in the passage, conditions like these meant our practical option was to heave to and wait. Now, with experience, preparation and supervision, we have another option: continuing safely under sail while building valuable skills. This is what developing seamanship means to us. Not taking unnecessary risks, but progressively expanding our capabilities through experience, understanding and good judgement. The techniques we're practising here can be carried back into everyday sailing, helping everyone become a more confident, capable and safer sailor. Welcome aboard Osprey, somewhere in the Atlantic, as we continue our passage towards Lanzarote. SAIL ABOARD OSPREY IN 2027 We're inviting sailors and supporters to join us aboard Osprey for a programme of offshore racing and ocean passages in 2027. Our planned events include: RORC Transatlantic Race — Lanzarote to Antigua, January 2027. RORC Caribbean 600 — February 2027. Antigua to Bermuda — an offshore passage through the Atlantic in April. These are opportunities to experience genuine offshore sailing aboard a powerful 80-foot ocean racing yacht, learn from the challenges of operating her, and become part of the wider campaign. Places are available through our sailing sponsorship programme, which supports Osprey's preparation and our longer-term racing ambitions. If you're interested in joining us, please contact me through CSM The Mariner. Tell me a little about your sailing experience, which event interests you, and what you'd like to achieve. SUPPORT THE GLOBAL SOLO CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN Osprey is being prepared for the Global Solo Challenge, a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world. The work we're doing now, from rigging and sails to the smallest details of reliability and maintenance, is all part of preparing this extraordinary yacht for the demands of sailing alone around the planet. It's a substantial undertaking, and your support makes a real difference. PATREON If you'd like to help make the Global Solo Challenge campaign possible, support the ongoing work on Osprey, and follow the project more closely, you can join us on Patreon. https://patreon.com/themariner THE MARINER'S LIBRARY A collection of classic sailing and maritime literature, bringing some of the greatest stories of the sea to life. https://themarinerslibrary.podbean.com THE MARINER PODCAST Conversations about offshore sailing, seamanship, ocean racing, adventure and the practical realities of life at sea. https://www.themarinerpodcast.com CSM THE MARINER Our website is being updated and will soon provide more information about Osprey, the sailing programme, and the Global Solo Challenge campaign. https://csmthemariner.com