Riding Sails

[ireaney]

As we all know cats have a habit of sailing around when at anchor or on a mooring, sometimes even if a bridle is set well. Has anybody tried a Riding Sail when using a bridle AND when not using a bridle, if so what effect have they found. I know that most cats do not have a back stay, but using the main halyard a riding sail could easily be fixed to a central point well aft of the mast. I would welcome any comments or alternative views/experience.

[Ram]

My cat does not sail around at anchor in fact is very stable, perhaps its my bridle that helps me?
Ram

[colemj]

Likewise, our boat is rock steady on anchor and mooring using a bridle.

Mark

[sv_makai]

Our cat is rock steady as well. It sometimes concerns me when other boats are around and they are sailing on anchor. I have never actually seen a cat with a riding sail and i don't remember seeing many that ever sailed on anchor.

One of the things I found was the longer the bridal and the further out on the hulls the less the swinging. Our boat came with single line10-12foot bridal from the factory and it was ok. Basically I didn't want to take it off. So I made up 2 lines about 30 feet long permaently afixed to the bow plates. I was a mazed at how under more varying conditions the boat stayed steady on anchor.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sv_makai

... One of the things I found was the longer the bridal and the further out on the hulls the less the swinging. Our boat came with single line10-12foot bridal from the factory and it was ok. Basically I didn't want to take it off. So I made up 2 lines about 30 feet long permaently afixed to the bow plates. I was a mazed at how under more varying conditions the boat stayed steady on anchor.

I always recommend longer (& often smaller diameter) snubbers & bridles (both mono & multi), with all (or mostly) chain rodes.

[Sunspot Baby]

A recent thread has lots of ideas on this. See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...dles-7661.html

George

[sv_makai]

As Gordmay pointed out that the smaller diameter snubber is what acts as a shock abosorber. To thick and you will lose the shocking abilty.

The other thing we usually do is once the anchor is set is to let out a bunch of chain behind the attachment point of the bridal. It acts as a light kellet adding more wieght to keep the chain down. This also helps to reduce oscialations.