[PUP] Heavy Weather tactics - anchors

Sun Apr 8 04:42:57 EDT 2007

We also spoke with and bought a para anchor and a drogue from Zack
Smith having visited him in California for our Nordhavn 57, Goleen.  I
have always had sailing boats before we purchased Goleen and we are
equipped with safety gear that would be more typical on a sailing
vessel than many power boats.  Mike Maurice assisted us in buying the
right survival suits - we carry four.  Our lifejackets are fitted with
in-built harnesses because one of the danger moments in a rough sea is
going on deck, in our case that is most likely to be the foredeck to
deploy the sea anchor or the boat deck if something needs attending to
up there.  I would recommend having places to clip on in any exposed
deck - that includes the foredeck and the boat deck.  We had an
unpleasant experience when our tender, a 12 ft rib with 50HP outboard,
came off its mountings on our way from Dana Point to the Panama Canal.
 The first time was in relatively calm water.  We got her back on and
then lashed her down.  The second time was in the Gulf of Panama.  We
had replaced the old fittings with much stronger ones but again she
broke lose in a Force 7 and Sonaia with two friends had a tough time
getting her under control.  In Panama, we again repaired the
situation.  The problem was the location of the stern eyes - there was
not sufficient angle.  When we arrived at Port Stuart we had PAE
change the angle so we had a decent angle and we placed four
additional eyes, two each side, to strap her amidships. We use heavy
duty straps with ratchets so there is no way she will break lose
again.

Chris and Sonaia

On 4/7/07, John Harris <JohnPH@comcast.net> wrote:
> It seems to me that the important thing in the use of a drogue or sea anchor
> is not so much how to retrieve it as how to deploy it.  There is lots of
> time to retrieve it and at worst release it completely and pick it up with a
> dinghy after the storm passes.  The critical item is to be able to deploy it
> in heavy weather and do it effectively - that is - on a proper length rode,
> in the proper direction, and not get tangled up in it or risking life and
> limb to deploy it.
>
> The following is correspondence with Zack Smith of Paratech of a couple of
> years ago.
>
> John Harris
> ==================
> The following answers to your questions are for the basic use of a parachute
> sea anchor: For more information on parachute anchors check out:
> <http://www.paraanchor.com/faq.zac.html> Feel free to link this site to your
> own.
>
> 1. How should it be attached to the vessel ? On the Nordhavn I'd attach the
> para-anchor line to a cleat or sampson post near the bow. Typically, the
> main line attached to the para-anchor is paid out through the port hawse
> pipe and then cleated. A second, short line is ran through the starboard
> hawse pipe and is attached to the anchor rode via a snatch block. The bridle
> created by the two lines keep the bow of your vessel directly into the wind
> and waves. Some captains prefer to use a chain bridle with a claw hook to
> form their bridle. Still, others choose to attach the parachute anchor's
> line off the ground anchor roller or pad eye located on the hull just below
> the roller. The best approach is to use one that is familier or comfortable
> for you. Remember, the main idea is to keep the bow of your boat pointed
> into the waves.
>
> 2. How long should the rode be ? I carry approximately 10-feet of rode for
> every foot of boat to prepare for a worse case scenerio storm. Typically
> I'll pay out about 1/3 of the rode in a strong gale and use approximately
> 1/2 my rode in a major storm. When in doubt deploy 50% of your line and feel
> how your boat behaves. If it starts to jerk unnatrually, then you need to
> pay out more rode.
>
> 3. How large an anchor do you recommend for a vessel with a gross weight of
> 60,000 lbs An 18-foot Offshore Anchor.
>
> 4. How large a float and weight should be added ? An A-2 polyform float is
> 49" in circumference and is perfect as a retrieval float for the
> para-anchor. Don't worry about adding bulky chain or weight, Fiorentino's
> offshore anchor is already weighted down with 8 oz. fabric, lines, weight
> placement and hardware.
>
> 5. How should it be launched ? First, deploy the floating recovery line with
> your retrieval float off the windward side of your boat. Allow your vessel
> to drift away from the recovery line until it's elongated. Second, drop the
> rolled up parachute off the windward side of your boat. Third, cleat your
> anchor rode so the para-anchor inflates immediately. Now pay out enough rode
> so that your vessel rides smoothly. In calm weather the para-anchor should
> be near your vessel. In storms, at least 50% of your line is deployed.
>
> 6. Should any other items (such as a storm sail) be used to hold the vessel
> stable ? I'd definately experiment with different sail plans to see if you
> can stabilize your vessel in a storm. A stay sail off the main is a good
> place to start or a reefed main to help point the bow into the waves.
>
> 7. How and where should such an additional stabilizer be set ? I believe I
> answered this question in question #6. But, it did make me think about your
> paravane stabilizers. I've used outriggers on commercial fishing vessels to
> stop uncomfortable rolls while anchored in a harbor. Outriggers on
> commercial boats are basically the same as a paravane stabilizer. If
> conditions were terrible enough you could experiment with the paravane
> stabilizers to see if it adds additional vessel stability while the
> para-anchor slows your drift.
>
> 8. What are the roughest conditions that you have experienced with this kind
> of arrangement ? In sea trials we've tested para-anchors in seas as big as
> 40'. Personaly, I've had more problems in sea conditions that had 16'
> breakers with very short intervals between wave sets. Steep waves can make
> the surface of the ocean look like it's boiling. Sometimes it's hard to tell
> which direction waves are coming from. Once the para-anchor is set the boat
> immediately slows down and starts to point its bow into the waves.
> Everything for the moment is good. The big heavy boats like the Nordhavn
> won't swing about as badly as light displacement vessels. With a vessel that
> does bounce around at anchor, I position the rudder close to amidships or
> slightly to windward. Additionaly, I'll use a storm sail to stabilize the
> boat. With the Nordhavn the paravane stabilizers become an additional tool
> to use in the unlikely event that you need them.
>
> 9. Any other suggestions on proper use ? Chafe protection is good to use to
> protect your anchor rode from unnecessary wear. Firehose, leather or
> manufactured chafe guards all work well. When it comes time for para-anchor
> retrieval, motor toward the retrieval float located at the end of your trip
> line and collect the float with a boat hook. Just pull on the recovery line
> and the chute closes like an unbrella as the anchor rises to the surface.
>
> Helpful hint, deploy and retrieve your para-anchor from the same windward
> side of your boat. So if you deployed off the port side you'll retrieve on
> the port side. Please let me know if you have any further questions. You
> have my permission to post the above questions on your site. Have a good
> day, Zack Smith ----
>
> Original Message ----- From: John PH To: Zack@ParaAnchor.com
> <http://commcenter.attbi.com/wmc/v/wm
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