Microburst

So, I had this interesting phenomenon happen August 2013 and when I spoke about it people thought I was joking.So I put it away in the back of my mind and forgot about it.Well that was until I heard an interview on 59 North Podcast by Andy Schell with his interview with Yan Miles, Yan spoke of a Microburst and it got me thinking if thats what I had experienced.

So I was out for a nice sail

Sailing between Dun Laoghaire and around Lambay Island en rout back to Dun Laoghaire.

Wind was steady around 20kts so I had one reef in (my reef's take out 2Mtrs of main each).

Then the an interesting pattern came into play in the sky!

The sky was bright round the weather system but really nasty under it.

I saw what looked like small rain storms, and oh yes they were headed my way!!!

Still bright and maybe a small look of apprehension on my face !!

Maybe 3-4 mins before it hit me.

I rolled up 2/3rds of the jib and held onto the jib sheet.

As the squall hit the wind changed direction, vilantly by around 60 degrees which caused me to tack, fortunately I was holding the jib sheet so I just let it go.

Just look at the windspeed!

Up it goes

Still going up

Not sure the instrument goes any higher.

And back down again. Thank the lord.

A short clip.

So what happened.

Now I think it may have been a Microburst,
Wikipedia definition

This is a clip from someone who had replied to the podcast.
Tucson Wet Microburst | August 8th, 2015

From my side:

• I learned to prepare for squalls. I could see it for miles and it lasted only 3-4 mins in total.
• To roll up the jib prior to it hitting as jib as the whole of the sacrificial strip sticking was blown out and needed re stitching.
• One of the wind speed cups broke off during the squall.
• The VHF whip disappeared.

I think holding the jib sheet saved me from a sure knock down, but rolling the jib would have saved the jib!!

After all that there was only just enough wind to sail home!!!!

We live and learn