Heavy Weather Advice - Beneteau 473

[Jim Newman]

Wish I'd spotted this thread before I started the one on Para-anchors! My Moody is all rolloer reefing (in mast main) and the Genoa won't be much use when rolled beyond the third reef poin although I could probably use a smidgeon of main for some stability. That's why I asked about sea anchors and drogues which I add below for advice:

I think the problem with a para-anchor is the veering from side to side in heavy weather so I imagine it's not much good without a bridle off to one side to hold the boat at an angle. Any idea what angle? I think probably about 30 degrees but is that right in survival conditions? The Jordan drogue looks good but it's expensive and I already have a 9ft Fiorino Para-anchor which I bought for my 34ft Rival. I now have a 42ft Moody and the same anchor would probably do the job even if a little small. Talking about drogues - how would a couple of drogues in tandem about 60ft apart (smaller one further aft) on say 150ft of total line compare with a Jordan? perhaps not so good but good enough?

[Cheechako]

I would go with a stout staysail and a 3rd reef. If your staysail setup is pretty large, then maybe go for a storm jib on the staysail stay. A boat that size with a good staysail and two reefs will take a lot of wind and sail fairly flat. With 3 reefs more so.

[cabo_sailor]

I'm going to follow the crowd and personally go with the staysail and the 3rd reef. Having said that, I can thankfully state I have never sailed in North Sea conditions and have no desire to.

My 38 foot is cutter rigged with a full keel. It heaves to nicely with just the main sheeted in flat, with or without reefs. The genoa is roller furling but the staysail is hanked on and self tacking with one reef available. The old genoa was 130% and ALWAYS hung up on the staysail. When it finally destroyed itself in 30 kt I replaced it with a 110% yankee. The slightly smaller size (about 100 ft^2) and the high clew mean very easy tacking. For light air I carry a cruising spinnaker of graduated construction. 1.5 oz around the outside edges and stress points, and .75 oz for the main body. Relatively compact to store in its sock and easy to handle.

Rich

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Jim Newman

I think the problem with a para-anchor is the veering from side to side in heavy weather

No one has ever died due to veering at a parachute anchor, as far as I am aware.

So is it a real problem or invented?


Mark

[barnakiel]

storm jib over genoa will not work, too far forward, unless to use for running

b.