Which is best in a storm; sloop, cutter or caravel?

Question

If each had a fiberglass hull with a steel frame and masts, which of the following would fair better in a heavy storm; caravel, sloop or cutter? I'm planning an extended trip in a few years and I chose these three because they seem easiest to sail with a small crew of less than 10.

Answer 1

If in high winds the multiple sail works better Cutter> Or a small head sail on the sloop>

Answer 2

The more sails you can choose from, the more options you have. Of course, handling and dealing with those choices will for sure be part of the picture.

Answer 3

Of your choices, I'd have to agree with 45 Cal.

Do you even know what a Caravel is?

The trick is to reduce sail to a manageable level for the conditions. A Cutter has two Headstays usually separated by at least 2 ft or more. Typically they are rigged with a smaller and higher cut sail than the main foresail. The secondary sail often has a foot boom(club-footed) for precise control.

Were I preparing for long passages and considering riding out storms...I would probably get a Ketch or Yawl which is cutter-rigged up front. In a big blow I can use the small sail up front and a small sail out back near the rudder which is preferable to a reefed mainsail or a storm trisail in the main tracks when considering steering.

I would have a storm drogue of some type...either a cone or parachute as well a available trailing warps of both rope and chain.

The key is preparedness and boathandling/steering.

That's my 2 cents.

Answer 4

Go with the cuter.

Have to agree with 45 cal.  

Good Luck and Boat Safe !