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ONBOARD CARD 09 — Squall & Frontal Response

Phase: any time — most critical in/near the Gulf Stream · Warning: 15–45 min radar→impact. Objective: react early to protect sails + crew — do NOT outrun a squall in the Stream. Dousing early costs minutes; a blown kite or broach in the Stream costs the race.

TL;DR

  • 30 nm = douse start, pre-rig reef, tethers. 20 nm = kite down + reef in + all crew clipped. 10 nm = all hands + hatches closed.
  • If squall drill wasn't completed: use the most conservative rung — treat any echo ≤30 nm as kite-down, no discussion.
  • Skipper calls maneuvers in a squall. If not on deck: Watch Captain has full authority.
  • After squall: 20-min wait before re-hoisting (watch for a trailing cell). Squall changes execution only, not routing.

DATA TO CHECK

  • Radar (mandatory in the Stream): sweep every 10–15 min; ANY echo within 30 nm W–NW–N matters; fast-growing = fast-moving — treat all Stream convection as violent.
  • Frontal (W-PF/W-CF): know expected timing + post-front wind; watch for backing wind, rising humidity, lower cloud base, smooth sea going lumpy.
  • CAPE (if GRIB loaded): >500 = elevated; >1000 = high — stay one sail conservative.

SQUALL PROTOCOL

30 nm echo detected:

  • [ ] Notify all watch
  • [ ] Begin dousing asymmetric/symmetric spinnaker if flying
  • [ ] Pre-rig reef #1 in mast (confirm already there)
  • [ ] Put deck crew in harnesses and tethers

20 nm echo or dark squall line visible:

  • [ ] Kite DOWN — no exceptions
  • [ ] Reef #1 IN
  • [ ] Move to smaller headsail if at crossover (J3 → J4)
  • [ ] All crew on deck or at stations
  • [ ] Assign jobs: helm, main, kite bag stowage, headsail

10 nm echo or lightning visible:

  • [ ] All non-watch crew called up
  • [ ] Hatches closed
  • [ ] Skipper woken (if not already on deck)
  • [ ] Helm: ready to bear away on contact

Squall contact:

  • [ ] Bear away if possible — keep wind aft, maintain boat speed
  • [ ] Helm: do not fight the boat; go with the gust direction
  • [ ] Crew: do not change sails in the gust — wait for it to pass
  • [ ] Main: ease traveler and sheet in gust; do not fight with the vang
  • [ ] Expect gust to peak 30–50 kts for 5–20 minutes

Post-squall:

  • [ ] Do NOT immediately re-hoist — wait 20 min to confirm cell has passed
  • [ ] Watch for second cell trailing the first
  • [ ] Assess damage: all sails, all lines, all crew
  • [ ] Set back up methodically: reef off → headsail up → kite decision

FRONTAL PASSAGE PROTOCOL

  • [ ] T-2 h: confirm sail plan works pre- AND post-front · Navigator updates routing · WC briefs crew.
  • [ ] At shift — expected rotation: ____° · post-front wind: ____ kts (fill at T-1 from the routing brief)
  • [ ] If not pre-filled: confirm new wind with Navigator (~2-min onboard call), hold smaller-of-doubt sail 30 min, gybe to new layline (tack if upwind). (RRS 41: onboard judgment only.)
  • [ ] Post-frontal: colder/NW–W, strong initial gust — don't over-sail the first 30 min, then re-optimize routing.

RED FLAGS

  • Gust >40 kts: attend to boat first even under bare poles
  • Green sky or hail: severe convection — put crew below except helms
  • Rapid 30+ kt wind shift without barometric warning: suspect squall line, not just a gust