This was the week I had planned on sailing from Fairport Harbor Ohio to Erie Pa or even Buffalo NY on a long 3-5 day downwinder but it was not to be, at least this week! A dreadful weather forecast that proved to be correct (thunderstorms bringing 30-50kt winds and a tremendous amount of lightning) this weather has been going on for the last 3 day and it made me take pause! I still have my M17 in the little 5x1 mile inland lake since I decided to not trailer it up to Erie this week. I was able to give my ParaTech 3’ storm anchor a test. The anchor has a fender float -15’ of 3mm line tied to the back of the chute to prevent it totally sinking /6’ of 3/8” chain and 200’ of 1/2” rode which is then fastened to the bow cleat. Conditions at lake were 12-16Kts 1-2’ waves. I had 1 reef in main and 115% jib rolled 1/3 up and got myself hove-too. I deployed the anchor off the windward side of the boat and payed out the system easily except for going forward holding the last 20’ of rode and securing to the bow cleat. This would be very tough in heavier air and waves. The Sea anchor set itself perpendicular to the boats slow drift downwind and backwards and held the bow maybe 10-15* higher than hove-to alone into the small choppy waves. In storm conditions while hove-to I think it would help a bit. After 20 minutes or so I struck the sails down and the Sea Anchor after a couple of the bow oscillations through the wind held the bow into waves and into the wind. Once again this would probably be a good tactic as opposed to lying a hull if caught out on bigger water. I suspect as wind velocity increases the pull and effectiveness of the sea anchor will increase. I calculated the 3’ circumference sea anchor (basically a half sphere) will have @34# of pull at 1 knot, and @126# at 2 knots drift downwind. Pulling the anchor in by hand proved relatively easy without a trip line. I debated between the 3’ and 6’ sea anchor for the M17. I think it will work but suspect the 6’ would be even better! I’ll keep my out for a 6’ one to test. Erik M17 S/V “Reef or Madness” Sent from my iPhone