STORM TACTICS DVD, Cape Horn Tested!
By Lin and Larry Pardey. Running time approximately 84 minutes.
This is a must-see DVD for both current and future cruising sailors.
The material serves two purposes - one by design and the other by implication. The designed purpose of Lin and Larry's DVD is to help yachtsmen to manage with expectation and confidence the process of handling heavy weather in a keelboat. It does this clearly and well, without overwhelming the viewer yet covering a considerable amount of technical detail. In summary the authors obviously prefer heaving-to in preference to options such as running under bare poles and lying hove-to - perhaps bow on to a sea anchor. Heaving-to is explained and demonstrated in detail, and the advantages illustrated by personal anecdote from this couple's copious personal experience, and also that of other sailors.
Also illustrated well is preparing for, rigging and lying to a parachute sea anchor, and many other aspects of managing bad weather. This includes dealing with the comfort and feeding of crew and treating their apprehension in strong winds and large waves. An interesting point made by the authors (and in line with my own experience in "big ships") is that winds of 20 knots and more make up a small percentage of a passage at sea.

The implied purpose of the DVD lies in the dynamics of the duo-partnership - Lin and Larry. In our experience the primary concern of those planning to cruise (often covert and usually the ladies) is the effect of the environment on the relationship with the partner. The worry is not so much heavy weather but general coping skills that will make the relationship difficult in a completely closed environment. The evident personal interaction between Lin and Larry in producing this DVD is one of normal mateship rather than distant stardom and my own feeling is that this is at least as much of a gift of knowledge and skill as the focus on storm seamanship. Would-be blue water cruisers are well advised to watch the DVD to see companionship in action.

The price does not include shipping.