Riding Sail Max Wind Speed

[SailingHarmonie]

For a boat that tacks back and forth at anchor, a riding sail is going to always result in a lower peak load on the anchor. In fact, for most boats that behave this way, the more the wind blows the more important a riding sail is.

Just a week or two ago we watched a large (67?) shiny new Hanse run wildly back and forth covering at least 100 degrees in 30 knots of wind. She took up half the anchorage, and you could see-and hear-her jerk violently every time the rode came tight. There is no way a riding sail could have increased the load on her ground tackle.

The riding sail does of course add drag, but it will always add less drag than the hull will if it tacks nearly beam to the wind.

A riding sail, AND a good stretchy snubber line are every bit as important as the anchor you are using. The difference in peak loads is huge.

There can be other ways to reduce at-anchor sailing, and some work well for some boats and not others. Jerking loads on an anchor are a great way to pull it out. Everything needed should be done to avoid that, the harder the wind blows the more important that is.