Heaving-To: An Essential Storm Tactic for Sailboats

In a Nutshell

Heaving-to is a fundamental storm tactic for sailboats that involves intentionally stalling the boat in a stable, manageable position relative to the waves and wind. It's achieved by backing the foresail against the wind, lashing the helm down to leeward, and reducing the mainsail (or dropping it entirely). This technique allows the boat to drift slowly while maintaining steerage, providing a respite for the crew during a severe gale and offering a safer alternative to running before a storm or lying ahull.

What Exactly is Heaving-To & Why is it a Critical Skill?
How Do You Heave-To a Sailboat? A Step-by-Step Guide
What are the Benefits & Drawbacks?
Boat-Specific Considerations & The Importance of Practice
Heavy Weather Preparation: Securing Your Boat & Crew
When Should You Heave-To?
What are the Alternatives to Heaving-To?
Summing Up
Frequently Asked Questions

What Exactly is Heaving-To & Why is it a Critical Skill?

If you've ever felt that pit-of-your-stomach dread when a gale starts to blow up, you'll know exactly why a technique like heaving-to is so important. Think of it as the sailing equivalent of pulling over to the side of the motorway during a heavy downpour. It's a controlled way to bring your boat to a near standstill, allowing her to ride out rough seas without putting undue stress on the vessel or the crew.

Now, you might have heard of "lying ahull," which is when you drop all your sails and just let the boat drift. Heaving-to is a different kettle of fish altogether. It gives you a degree of control, keeping the bow pointed into the waves at a slight angle. This makes a world of difference, reducing the chance of getting rolled or swamped by a big, nasty wave.

As an experienced ocean sailor, I can't stress this enough: getting to grips with heaving-to is a cornerstone of good seamanship. Most of us will never face a true storm at sea, but if you do, knowing this technique could be the difference between a tough but manageable situation and a full-blown catastrophe. It's about giving yourself options when the going gets tough.

Sketch showing a sailboat Hove-to, with a slick developing on the windward side

Hove-to with the headsail backed. Note the rudder position...

How Do You Heave-To a Sailboat? A Step-by-Step Guide

The process is actually pretty straightforward, but it's one of those things that calls for a calm head and a methodical approach. The exact steps can vary a bit from boat to boat, but the basic principles are always the same.

Reef Down, First Thing: Before you even think about heaving-to, you should already have a good reef in your mainsail, or even have it dropped completely. You'll want to have just a small foresail, like a storm jib, up. If you haven't done so already, this is the time to get it sorted.
Come Up to Windward: Sail on a close reach or close-hauled course. You'll want a bit of momentum as you make your final turn.
Back the Foresail: This is the clever bit. You'll tack the boat, but here's the trick: don't release the sheet on the foresail. The sail will now be on the new leeward side, but with its sheet still pulled tight from the windward side. The wind will hit the "back" of the sail and try to push the bow away from the wind.
Lash the Helm: As the boat's bow starts to fall off from the wind, turn the helm to leeward (down) and hold it there. This counteracts the force from the backed foresail. The helm tries to push the stern away from the wind, while the foresail pushes the bow away. The result is a neat little stalemate, with your boat's bow settling at a steady angle of 45 to 60 degrees to the wind and waves. Once you're happy with the angle, lash the helm down to hold it.
Adjust & Monitor: Your boat will now be in a nice, stable, slow-moving position. You'll notice a small patch of calmer water, or a "slick," forming to windward. This is one of the biggest benefits of the manoeuvre.

What are the Benefits & Drawbacks?

Like anything in sailing, heaving-to isn't a silver bullet. It's got its pros and cons, and knowing them will help you decide if it's the right choice for your situation.

Advantages of Heaving-To

Less Stress for Everyone: It takes a huge amount of strain off the boat's rig, hull, and, most importantly, the crew.

A Safety Net: That "slick" of calmer water you create to windward is a brilliant safety feature. It helps to break up waves before they can get to your boat.

Time to Breathe: It gives you a much-needed break to rest, have a bite to eat, and check your position and the boat's condition without having to constantly steer.

Still in Control: Unlike lying ahull, you still have some control and can get underway again if you need to.

A "Home" Feel: From my own experience, heaving-to provides a real psychological comfort. The boat stops getting thrown around wildly and settles into a predictable rhythm. It just feels safer.

Disadvantages of Heaving-To

Sideways Drift: Your boat will drift sideways, which is something you need to be aware of, especially if you're near a lee shore or have other navigational concerns.

Still a Risk: In extreme conditions, a rogue wave could still hit you on the beam and cause damage.

Not All Boats Are Equal: Some boats heave-to beautifully. Full-keel boats, in particular, often settle into it like a duck to water, while a modern fin-keel boat can be a bit more of a handful.

Boat-Specific Considerations & The Importance of Practice

A boat's design has a massive impact on how well she'll heave-to.

Full-Keel Boats: These old-school cruisers, with their long, deep keels, are generally a joy to heave-to. They track really well and tend to settle into the position with very little fuss. Their inherent stability makes them perfect for this kind of thing.

Fin-Keel Boats: Modern fin-keelers can be a bit more of a challenge. Because they don't have as much lateral resistance, they can be more prone to slipping sideways or struggling to hold a steady angle. If you've got one of these, you'll need to experiment with different sail and helm settings.

Catamarans & Multihulls: Heaving-to is a less common manoeuvre for multihulls, partly because they handle differently. Some multihull sailors prefer to just "lie ahull" or use a drogue. However, it can be done, though it might take a different sail setup, like using a small staysail.

This brings me to a really important point: practice. Don't wait until you're in a proper blow to try this out. Pick a day with moderate winds and a gentle sea and go through the steps. It's the best way to get a feel for how your specific boat handles the manoeuvre and to build the muscle memory you'll need when the chips are down.

Heavy Weather Preparation: Securing Your Boat & Crew

Heaving-to isn't a stand-alone trick; it's just one part of a solid heavy weather strategy. Before you even think about the manoeuvre, you should have your boat and crew prepared. Ensuring your sails are correctly reefed is a crucial first step, and if you want to know more about that, be sure to read our comprehensive guide, Reefing a Sail: The Ultimate Guide to Control & Safety at Sea.

Secure the Deck: Make sure all your deck gear is properly lashed down or put away. Any sails not in use should be flaked or furled tight. It's also a good idea to check your lines and rigging for any signs of chafe.

Prepare the Interior: Below deck, secure everything. Stow loose items in lockers, make sure the galley is battened down, and check that all hatches and portholes are dogged down tight. You don't want a flying kettle or a chartbook becoming a missile when the boat starts to get tossed around.

Personal Safety Gear: Anyone on deck needs to be wearing proper foul-weather gear and, absolutely, a harness with a life-line. Clipping on is non-negotiable in a storm.

The "Slick" Explained: The "slick" is the patch of calmer water that forms on the windward side of a hove-to boat. As the boat moves slowly, it creates its own mini-wake. This effect, combined with the wind and the boat's motion, creates a kind of surface tension that suppresses or "flattens" the tops of the oncoming waves, taking the sting out of them just before they reach you. It’s one of the most powerful and visible benefits of heaving-to.

When Should You Heave-To?

Knowing when to heave-to is just as important as knowing how. It's a tactical decision you should make before things get truly hairy. The best time to do it is when:

Crew Fatigue Sets In: If everyone's getting tired and steering is becoming a struggle, heaving-to gives you all a chance to rest and recharge.

Steering Becomes Unmanageable: When waves are breaking over the stern and your autopilot or helmsman is fighting to hold a course, heaving-to provides a much safer, more stable position.

You're Concerned About the Boat: If you feel the boat is being pushed to her structural limits, heaving-to relieves a lot of that stress on the rig and hull.

I can remember being in a building gale in the Mediteranean, on passage from Mallorca to Gibraltar. The wind was gusting to 50 knots, and the waves were getting bigger and bigger. Mary and I had been on deck for hours, exhausted and freezing. We made the call to heave-to. Within minutes, the whole motion of the boat changed. Our boat, a Nicholson 32 MkX, being a heavy-displacement long-keeler hove-to like a duck. The violent rolling stopped, and a weird sense of calm settled over the cockpit. We were able to make some hot drinks, check the boat over, and rest for a few hours. That small act of seamanship was what saved our physical and mental energy for the rest of the passage.

What are the Alternatives to Heaving-To?

Heaving-to isn't the only trick up your sleeve for storm survival. Other tactics include:

Running Before the Storm: Sailing downwind with just a tiny bit of sail to control your speed. It can work well, but it takes a lot of concentration and can be dangerous if a wave ever broaches the boat.

Lying Ahull: Dropping all sails and just letting the boat drift. This is often seen as a last resort, as it leaves you with no steerage or control and vulnerable to being hit broadside by waves.

Sea Anchor or Drogue: Deploying a device off the bow or stern to slow your drift and keep you aligned with the waves. This is a very effective method, but you have to have the right gear on board.

For me, heaving-to strikes a pragmatic balance between active sailing and passive drifting. It’s a controllable solution that works for a wide range of boats.

Summing Up

Heaving-to is more than just a sailing manoeuvre; it's a philosophy of smart seamanship. It's about recognising that sometimes, the safest course of action is to stop, take a moment, and let the storm blow itself out. When you master this technique, you give yourself a powerful tool to ensure the safety and well-being of your crew and your vessel, allowing you to face the unpredictable challenges of the sea with confidence. It’s a skill that truly embodies experience, expertise, and a deep-seated respect for the elements.

Article written by Dick McClary, RYA Yachtmaster & Yachting Journalists Association (YJA) member.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I heave-to with a masthead furler?

Yes, you can. You would simply unroll a small section of the furling sail (e.g., a storm jib) and back that sail as you would a regular jib.

What's the difference between heaving-to and lying ahull?

Heaving-to maintains active control over the boat's position relative to the wind and waves, while lying ahull involves dropping all sails and letting the boat drift passively, which can be unpredictable.

What's the ideal wind speed to heave-to?

There's no single ideal speed. The decision to heave-to is more about sea state and crew fatigue than a specific wind speed. It's best to consider it when conditions make it difficult or dangerous to continue sailing.

Is heaving-to a safe alternative to a sea anchor?

It can be. A sea anchor is highly effective but requires specific gear. Heaving-to uses the boat's existing sails and helm, making it a reliable, readily available tactic.

What should I do if the boat won't stay hove-to?

Check your sail trim and helm position. Try a smaller sail plan or adjust the angle of the boat. Some boats may not heave-to perfectly, but with practice, you can find a stable balance.