I applaud you for getting out and testing your gear in real world conditions! Most people do testing when it’s sunny, the water is warm, there’s no wind, etc. and then assume the results will be the same in survival conditions, or that the capsize recovery they practice in no waves will be replicated in 3-4 foot seas! Like an anchor rode I would suggest tying off your line at the bow before deploying! And I really like the Pardey’s method of rigging a storm anchor or drogue, it’s worth getting their “Storm Tactics” DVD. RIP Larry. 😢 My boat (M15) came with a sea anchor, but it’s not set up or even carried on the boat. I’m in Puget Sound where I would barely have time to deploy it if I truly needed it before I was aground on a lee shore. I plan on being an old sailor, not a bold one, and I’m very conservative about the conditions I go out in. I still get my ass kicked occasionally because the weather changes crazy fast here, but the boat hasn’t let me down yet! 💪 I’d love to see video of your testing. Rusty www.rustyknorr.weebly.com
On Aug 24, 2023, at 9:03 AM, E Blohm via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote: 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”
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