heaving to vs irons

Posted By: Tom T. House
Date: 9/25/07 6:31a.m.

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OK...I guess it is time for another question, I still don't quite understand. What is the difference between heaving to and irons? It seems to me that in both cases, the boat is generally kept head-to-wind, by the main, which is “weather-vaning”, as it is sheeted but not powering the boat, causing the boat to drift slowly astern, leaving a protective slick, helping to dissuade surrounding breaking waves from breaking over the boat's bow. I've been in irons numerous times, mostly planned to stall the boat, to provide a moment or two to fix something or retrieve something that's just out of reach. When in irons, I’ve noticed the boat is completely head-to-wind, the boat makes slight sternway…and it doesn’t seem to matter if the main or headsail is sheeted or not, either way, neither sail power the boat…and it doesn't seem to matter if the rudders are kept in any particular position or not, nor does it seem to matter if they are raised out of the water or not, because the boat is completely stalled and they have no water flow, sufficient to turn the boat anyway. By contrast, I gather, when hove-to the main is sheeted hard, traveled somewhat to windward and weather vaning, while the head sail is doused or reduced to a tightly sheeted blade or storm jib and the boat is making slight sternway. I also understand, from what I've read, when hove-to the boat is lying 45 degrees to weather and the rudders are locked in a position to hold the boat it that position allowing some slight rearward drift, again producing a slick in front of the boat. I assume irons does not allow as much control of the boat, while hove-to does allow more control. Is that about right or am I misunderstanding how to heave-to on a very light (1,200 lb.) 27 foot Stiletto sailing catamaran? What say you..?? Thanks, Tom