1 or 2 Magma Flopper Stoppers?

[geoffschultz]

My boat is currently in the Sea of Cortez and over the next 3-4 years we'll be working our way down to Peru and then back through the Canal into our native Atlantic. We don't have a lot of experience with the swell that the Pacific generates, but we've been told (warned?) that we really need flopper stoppers. With the boat in La Paz on the Baja side, we currently have the chance to ship parts down there and we most likely won't have this chance again. As a result I'm trying to figure out how to best configure the flopper stoppers.

I'm looking at getting 2 Magma Flopper Stoppers with their poles. Some people only use 1, but I'm wondering if that's sufficient. Giving the admiral (and myself) a good night's sleep is high on my priority list. I'd rather spend the money and do it right than end up wishing I had 2. Also, some people seem to hang these off of their boom, but my boom is very heavy with a heavy main, so I really don't want all of that weight hanging off one side.

So, what do people recommend?

-- Geoff

 

[whatfiero]

1 magma flopper stopper

I had no idea what they were so googled it they only use 1 in there tests and I assume you only have 1 boom I,m a redneck sailor so I just use a five gal bucket with holes drilled in it

 

[Chris Patterson]

I can't help but think that the bucket would do just nicely. The only "problem" I see is, I don't see how it would work on only one side. If you lashed down a very substantial whisker/spinnaker pole across the cockpit or something seems like it would take the pitching out both ways if there were stoppers on both ends.

 

[KD3PC]

I used them on my 36' trawler and they worked quite well...I don't see any reason that they would not work on a sailboat as long as you can get them mounted properly.

Two work best in tandem, not sure about just one....you will get some line noise

but makes for a much more stable deck

 

[geoffschultz]

Two work best in tandem, not sure about just one....you will get some line noise but makes for a much more stable deck

Thanks for a reply from someone who has actually used them. I found one review where someone said that 1 flopper stopper attenuated roll by 50-60% and they *guessed* that 2 would attenuate roll by 70-80%. As a result I was hoping for feedback from actual users.

-- Geoff

 

[RichH]

Another way to stop rolling when anchored is to anchor to bridle -- as simple 'stout' line that is run from the stem to the stern ... the anchor rode is attached to and is adjusted 'along' the bridle line so that the boat 'points' directly into oncoming waves..... so that you can angle the bow directly into oncoming waves, the boat will still pitch into the waves but the rolling is stopped. You can also do this with an anchor riding sail ... the riding sail set at an offset angle from the boats centerline.

This method is the exact same as when hove to to sea-anchor when the waves and wind are at significantly different angles.

Nothing is going to stop the pitching due to oncoming waves.

 

[geoffschultz]

Another way to stop rolling when anchored is to anchor to bridle

I spent a lot of time trying to get a bridle to work properly, but was never able to do so. The problem is that I have a boat that likes to sail a LOT at anchor. I suspect that it's due to the camber spar (rigid boom) that I have which creates a lot of windage forward of the mast. I regularly swing 40 degrees to either side of windward. I get a great view of the anchorage, but I can't keep the boat into the swell/waves.

-- Geoff

 

[RichH]

Geoff, I too have aboat that will severely 'dance' at anchor if anchored with simply a single rode hanging from the stem.

My solution for dancing is twofold:
1. an anchor riding sail
2. using a bridle which 'pulls' the attachment point to the boat so that the 'connection' between the rode and bridle is AT the waterline .... just this alone stopped most ALL of the 'dancing'.

 

[geoffschultz]

Rich,

I've tried this and lots of other things, and I still "dance" at anchor. However, I appreciate the suggestion!

-- Geoff

 

[Stu Jackson]

Geoff, another version of the bridle, used by Lin & Larry Pardey, and discussed in their books, is to tie a rolling hitch to your anchor rode and run it back to your jib sheet winch. Adjust as required. I've tried it and it works. Reduces yawing and can turn your bow where you want it.

 

[geoffschultz]

Stu,

My anchor chain snubber basically replicates what Rich described, so I know how that works. In 2001, just after 9/11, I was stuck at anchor in Venezuela at Margarita Island with a burnt up starter. Air freight was shut down, so I had to wait for 28 days one to arrive by freighter.

The swell that came into the anchorage regularly was at angles to the wind, so I tried using the Lin & Larry Pardey system (didn't know it had a name), but it only worked so-so, and believe me, I tried! I suspect that this was due, in part, to BlueJacket's desire to swing at anchor. I sure wish that would have worked, as there were quite a few uncomfortable days/nights at anchor.

Anyhow, thanks for this suggestion too.

-- Geoff

 

[Terry411]

I have seen floppers made from plywood. Triangle shape weight at one corner to dive. Lot cheaper easy to replace and size for your boat.