Authors, Lin and Larry Pardey use the sea anchor/hove to method in storm force winds.
They set the sea anchor of the bow and attach a large barber hauler to bridle it back to a cockpit winch. Doing this allows them to control the boats angle to the sea whilst hove to.
They have that method very well documented and well worth looking up for a read.

www.para-anchor.com/news.stormmanage.html

The audio on the first Skip Novak video is outstanding, literally no wind noise in 40kts.
Interesting Skip doesn't use drouges, his excellent seamanship & tactics does the job before his need to use the gear arises. For a mere mortal like myself that could stuff up or get caught out one day, I do carry a Burke Sea-brake, but have never used it. I'd stream it from the stern if I ever needed to, with the storm boards lashed in.
My general SOP is to sail with plenty of sea-room, & 'when in doubt, head out'.

If all else fails and I'm in survival mode and I MUST do something to get directional stability or get rolled, is
it possible to drop the anchor and rode to achieve this ??.

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Jolene said..
Authors, Lin and Larry Pardey use the sea anchor/hove to method in storm force winds.
They set the sea anchor of the bow and attach a large barber hauler to bridle it back to a cockpit winch. Doing this allows them to control the boats angle to the sea whilst hove to.
They have that method very well documented and well worth looking up for a read.

www.para-anchor.com/news.stormmanage.html

Hi Jolene I hear what your saying and I know it works and no one could argue what he used to do worked for him and his boat but he has a very small boat, a reliable crew and he used to have enough strength and fitness to get all this set up in adverse conditions. All the forces involved might be at least doubled or even tripled on a 40 footer.
I think I read that he sold Talisman recently saying that he no longer had the physical capacity to hang off the bowsprit while setting a sea anchor in rough seas.
The trouble is that setting a sea anchor off the bow short handed could go pear shaped so quickly and you could end up in a much worse position that you would ever have been in if you just plodded into the wind for a day or two
I don't why I'm arguing with the Pardys though, setting myself up for a big slapdown?

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samsturdy said..
If all else fails and I'm in survival mode and I MUST do something to get directional stability or get rolled, is
it possible to drop the anchor and rode to achieve this ??.

Sam, Take your boat out to just off Barrenjoey, at the top of Pittwater, on a day when there are large swells coming in, and at the peak outgoing tide flow. Walk out to the bow as it is plunging every which way, and imagine handling your anchor and heaps of chain. In that imagination add stinging spray and howling wind. I think that will answer your question.

and add to that imaginary situation getting the chain wrapped around keel and or rudder as the boat gets pushed around in that swell...

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andy59 said..

Jolene said..
Authors, Lin and Larry Pardey use the sea anchor/hove to method in storm force winds.
They set the sea anchor of the bow and attach a large barber hauler to bridle it back to a cockpit winch. Doing this allows them to control the boats angle to the sea whilst hove to.
They have that method very well documented and well worth looking up for a read.

www.para-anchor.com/news.stormmanage.html

Hi Jolene I hear what your saying and I know it works and no one could argue what he used to do worked for him and his boat but he has a very small boat, a reliable crew and he used to have enough strength and fitness to get all this set up in adverse conditions. All the forces involved might be at least doubled or even tripled on a 40 footer.
I think I read that he sold Talisman recently saying that he no longer had the physical capacity to hang off the bowsprit while setting a sea anchor in rough seas.
The trouble is that setting a sea anchor off the bow short handed could go pear shaped so quickly and you could end up in a much worse position that you would ever have been in if you just plodded into the wind for a day or two
I don't why I'm arguing with the Pardys though, setting myself up for a big slapdown?

No need for a slap down Andy, your comments are most valid.
Just for the record, I Posted about the Pardeys method not because I think its the thing to do, but rather because they have well documented it,

OK point taken. I guess I am talking about life or death worst case scenario here. I thought with the
weight of the anchor hanging down and the wind blowing the boat away from it, it may form
some sort of resistance and keep the boat in line with the wind and waves avoiding broaching.
Just a thought.
And Yara, I'm not going to risk my life doing as you suggest. I notice you have 666 posts....you are talking
the Devils talk. .