Sea anchor ?

[Sven]

I've never used one.

We were thinking of getting a JSD for bad stuff to do a controlled run ahead of the wind but I'm wondering if a ParaAnchor for keeping the bow into the wind might be a better alternative. The idea of basically "parking" mid-ocean (while still in a washing machine) to rest up has a certain appeal. Like all the other emergency equipment, once we've spent money on it it will never be used, we hope.

Experiences ?



-Sven

 

[MarkA]

I've never used one.

We were thinking of getting a JSD for bad stuff to do a controlled run ahead of the wind but I'm wondering if a ParaAnchor for keeping the bow into the wind might be a better alternative. The idea of basically "parking" mid-ocean (while still in a washing machine) to rest up has a certain appeal. Like all the other emergency equipment, once we've spent money on it it will never be used, we hope.

Experiences ?



-Sven

Why not both? Every boat is different, and every crew is different. Until you're in the middle of that stuff, you don't know how you or your boat will want to handle it.

I have not used either, but I have spent many days in some confused 50+' waves on a 1923 vintage 65' wooden "halibut schooner." That's a diesel-powered boat with a hull similar to old sailing ships, which was lucky to make 9 knots. Although that hull was probably as good as any candidate to trail warps and run ahead of the weather, we usually jogged into the waves. If in shallow water (50 fathoms) we often dropped the pick and dragged it along the bottom to keep the bow in.

Running from the weather usually makes for a much smoother ride, but waves come from different directions and you can broach whether you're surfing or dragging stuff--I'm talking big waves now. I think keeping the bow to the weather usually allows more control and a safer ride--but it can be hell. As the white water washes off the deck at the crest, imagine someone cutting the elevator cable on the 4th or 5th floor.... You free fall and get buried in green water. It's hard to keep food down or sleep (or even wedge yourself into a bunk to stay put).

So I would try both. If you're unable to avoid that hell, you may find one method much better than the other for you and your boat--or you may switch back and forth depending on conditions.

 

[Sven]

Why not both?

Because we don't have a 65-footer Either one takes up quite a large volume. Just the bag for 400-600' of 3/4" rode for a ParaAnchor would present a logistics problem. It can't be too squirreled away as getting it out when things are bad will be enough of a challenge.

I'd considered dropping anchor even if there was no bottom as a way of keeping the bow into the wind (and most of the waves) but when I suggested that on another forum it seems either nobody has tried that or it just doesn't work.

The JSD sounds the most appealing and I guess one could use it to stay pointed into the wind even if it doesn't let you "park" as well as a sea anchor. Running before the wind with it sounds almost perfect.

Appreciate the feedback.




-Sven

 

[MarkA]

Good point about storage--3/4" rode??? Wow.

Just avoid the nasty stuff