A sea anchor off the bow is no longer thought to be a good heavy weather tactic unless you don't mind losing your rudder. Off the stern you'd most likely be pooped frequently. Some like drogues, but in my experience they leave the boat at the mercy of the seas, unable to maneuver quickly enough to avoid a capsize or pitchpole (see GGR 2018 for multiple examples).
I prefer to steer my boat once the wind reaches 60 knots or more. Maybe the AP or vane gear could handle it OK, but it's my job to take charge when things get dicey, so I steer.
6 to 9-ft seas @ 7 sec or even less period is pretty common here in the EC. You wouldn't get much sailing in during the season (hey, it's winter here, too) if you weren't willing to sail in that. Most just tuck a double reef in the main and use a smaller or partially furled headsail and 'just do it' to cross the channels. No second thoughts.
So, in answer to your question, given you are on a seaworthy 38' vessel, I think you should reef the main, use a smaller headsail or furl it just enough so that the boat keeps footing along well on whatever point of sail you need to be on and enjoy the sail.
I prefer to steer my boat once the wind reaches 60 knots or more. Maybe the AP or vane gear could handle it OK, but it's my job to take charge when things get dicey, so I steer.
6 to 9-ft seas @ 7 sec or even less period is pretty common here in the EC. You wouldn't get much sailing in during the season (hey, it's winter here, too) if you weren't willing to sail in that. Most just tuck a double reef in the main and use a smaller or partially furled headsail and 'just do it' to cross the channels. No second thoughts.
So, in answer to your question, given you are on a seaworthy 38' vessel, I think you should reef the main, use a smaller headsail or furl it just enough so that the boat keeps footing along well on whatever point of sail you need to be on and enjoy the sail.
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