My 386 sails at anchor like most Hunters, and I dislike it intensly. I do not mind the motion, per se, but it always feels as if the anchor is being worked loose bit by bit each time the boat completes an arc, creating what I call Anchor Creep. Experience has taught me a few things.....
1. The boat actually has 2 distinct motions while sailing at anchor : There is the arc it describes as the boat "sails" from one side to the other. In heavy winds, this arc can approach 90 degrees, and more. Then, within that arc, the boat also yaws from side to side. To clarify the yaw I am describing, picture a rigid pole attached to the boat at the bow, and continuing down to the sea bottom. The bow of the boat could not move with this arrangement, but the stern could swing from side to side. This side to side movement within the larger arc created by "sailing' at anchor comprises the 2 seperate motions.
2. If you are able to snorkle over your anchor and watch the underwater part of your ground tackle you will find that with 50 feet of chain attached to a nylon rode, the boat is not even pulling on the anchor until the wind hits approx 12 to15 MPH. The strain is borne by the chain. In other words, the first 15 MPH is free, as far as the anchor itself is concerned.
3. In my opinion, a riding sail does not reduce the sailing arc or the yaw, but only serves to slow the process down. A decent result in it's own right. There may actually be some elimination of the swing, but not enough to make a whole lot of difference.
4. Still working on this theory, so don't beat me up !! Just as we have apparant wind, I think we can have apparant boat length. Normally the anchor roller extends forward of the waterline of the hull by, in some instances, 3 feet. By dropping a second anchor over the bow so it is just submerged, but not on the bottom, I believe we have created an apparant boat length that is, in this example, 3 feet longer than the actual boat length. Or, more accurately the LWL. Since the boat sails at anchor due to more windage farther forward ( at least, one of the reasons), by creating a longer apparant boat length, the windage is moved aft.
5. if it is the actual motion of the boat that you do not like rather than any concern about Anchor Creep, dropping a second anchor over the bow with enough rode to allow it to drag on the bottom, but not enough to let it hook up, really slows and eliminates the "sailing at anchor" motion quite a bit.
6. A riding sail that is adequate to slow your motion in 15 MPH winds is too big in 20 to 25 MPH and above.
I have never tried dropping a weight / anchor over the stern and dragging it on the bottom because of the proximity to the rudder and prop, but feel that this might be a good way to slow the motion as well.
All of this is based on the fact that I do not mind the motion that sailing at anchor creates, rather, my overrideing concern is for the viability of the anchor set. The Anchor Creep that can be created in winds above normal is something to be avoided.
Jeff
.
