Customer Reviews

Storm Tactics - Cape Horn Tested

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Pardeys are awesome and inspirational, especially to small boat sailors. In this day of big, high tech yachts, they remind us that 15 years ago, a 30ft cutter was way more than anyone needed. And the Sea hasn't been the one changing.
This video was advertised on the Pardey website as having footage of their 29ft yacht rounding Cape Horn in extreme conditions, safely and competently, east to west. The DVD however, fails to show more than a few brief seconds of intermittent sea time and leaves the route and journey, in Lin & Larry's memories alone. It does show the deployment and theoretical use of a para-anchor along with a good review of hove-to principals. Both of which are done in what appears to be a windy lake or at the dock. Yep, much of the film is at a dock or inside their boat via monologue. Their yacht is beautifully shown shouldering through some swell, chop, and a fresh breeze, but as to rounding the Horn the wrong way against even 20ft seas and 60kt winds, that film has yet to be made.
I'll keep the video and my para-anchor, but $15 would have been much more appropriate from the authors of "The Cost Conscious Cruiser" for so little content.

Bought this as an Xmas gift for my partner and it has cost me a bundle. We both found it so encouraging he asked me to buy more copies for several friends who are getting ready to go cruising.The Pardeys not only discuss their ideas of what to do in a storm, but also try to put it all in perspective - taking a lot of the scare out of being at sea. I liked seeing some of the ideas used to secure gear inside boats, liked their detailed discussion of storm sails. Though they mention thier voyage around Cape Horn, they show that with planning they always had loads of searoom around them when they hit the worst storms. Though it would have been great to see shots of thier boat battling around the Horn, I know this would have meant hiring Heliocopters, camera men etc. This program is definitely not Hollywood, nor Discovery channel, it is good solid how to stuff. Hope to get to one of thier seminars if they ever do one in our area.

The production is very well done, they explain very clear. But frankly, I was expecting a bit more. I understand that it is not easy to film "on the spot" with "real" bad weather, but it all seemed "too perfect". Another flaw, is that they only show the storm tactic that they like most. That is, "to heave to"

I got this program to gain some confidence because I want to head off sailing soon. My wife is really concerned about getting out in strong winds. She watched it with me and came away smiling. Said it made her really want to get going soon. Grand sailing shots, just enough stormy stuff and excellent demonstrations of how to use storm sails, how to heave to. These folks really are encouraging. Loved the Irish sailing boats and the music that ran through the whole program. Best of all are the small tips I kept gleaning, from lock down systems to rigging ideas. I'm not loaning this one out.

Super book, very informative on "old school" practices. Recommend to all boat owners.

"Storm Tactics" DVD (along with the companion handbook) are the quintessential works for learning and applying the techniques necessary to survive--and to survive undamaged--major storms encountered at sea. Whether you are on a 4-hour sail (a la Gilligan's Island) or crossing oceans, the weather can and will change. Lin and Larry Pardey are veterans of offshore sailing, having built and sailed their two boats, Seraffyn and Taleisin, over 150,000 miles in virtually every weather condition you will ever encounter.

Not only do they cover techniques such as heaving-to, the correct deployment and use of para-anchors, and the choice and use of storm sails (tri-sails, staysails), they also detail the best methods of testing and perfecting your equipment ahead of time so that you will be confident and ready for any condition you encounter. You will feel better about casting off for adventure armed with the knowledge and skills they teach--and so will your crew.

I cannot recommend anything more highly than the Pardey's "Storm Tactics" DVD and newly updated "Storm Tactics Handbook." Don't leave home without having prepared properly; and if you have not studied and applied their universal (for monohull sailing craft) techniques well ahead of your departure then you really are not fully prepared. It will be the best money you will ever have spent on sailing.

Well explained. It's just a pity that there is no information on tactics for mulihulls though some of the information can be applied to multihulls, it is unfortunately not tested by the Pardeys in storm conditions. They are extremely competent sailors and any advice given by them is certainly well researched and tested. A remarkable humble couple that put things into perspective without any heroics or fanfare.

Clearly and concisely presented information for anyone who is seriously considering venturing offshore. The Pardeys describe and demonstrate their proven techniques for safe control of a vessel in the worst conditions.No cruisers libarary should be with out this for first tiem and repeat viewing!!!

Important knowledge for any sailor. Only wish is that there had been more storm footage.

As a new sailor, I've watched a few videos and I believe that Lin and Larry's techniques and recommendations are at the top of the video list! A must for your library. I would have liked to see a bit more sailing video, but imagine that Lin and Larry have their hands full sailing during a storm. That said...excellent value. I plan to purchase their other videos as well.