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**capngeo** · 02-07-2011, 15:13

We went out for a nice sail, and the girls wanted to snorkel.... I took them to Jack's Channel NNW of Key West (24 36.08 081 36.74) Narrow little wash in otherwise 2' depths. Dropped the hook in 18' of water...50' chain, 20' nylon. A storm came out of nowhere... Sort of formed right over us... The whirl-a-gig on the top of the mast read 65knots!.. 5 minutes later? Clear blue sky! I LOVE THE KEYS!

Unicorn Dreams · 02-07-2011, 19:26

Pretty normal this time of year.
Back in the 70's we counted 11 waterspouts off Marathon at one time..

**roverhi** · 02-07-2011, 19:55

Delkivered my Morgan 35 from the factory to Norfolk years ago. Sailing down the West Florida coast was a couple of days of dodgem with the thunder clouds that built up by the afternoon. Couldn't avoid one and it was an eye opener. The fellow that helped me was familiar with the boomers and insisted we take in all sail and lash the main thoroughly to the boom. One minute, a little rain, the next, the spreaders were practically in the water as we were hit by hurricane force winds. 15-20 minutes later we were back in sunshine and barely enough wind to sail. If we hadn't taken in the sails, sure that we would have blown them out at the least.

S/V Alchemy · 02-07-2011, 20:42

So you are happy with your ground tackle, I gather?

I guess five minutes is too short a time to worry about chafe.

I anchored last night for the first time with the old steel Danforth Hi-Tensile that came with the boat, instead of with the new Fortress that is oversized. It worked well in 2 knots of wind, but I suppose so would a cinder block under those conditions.

**hummingway** · 02-07-2011, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

So you are happy with your ground tackle, I gather?

I guess five minutes is too short a time to worry about chafe.

I anchored last night for the first time with the old steel Danforth Hi-Tensile that came with the boat, instead of with the new Fortress that is oversized. It worked well in 2 knots of wind, but I suppose so would a cinder block under those conditions.

However, I don't think I'll test your theory.