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Wind and currents
Even with the sails furled, your boat's freeboard and doghouse catch the wind. The submerged part of the boat is subject to waves, current flow, and tides. So long as only one part of the boat is tethered to the bottom, the other end is free to swing. If you want the boat to stay more or less in one place, drop another anchor from the stern. However, other boats around you may not be anchored in the same way, and although you aren't moving (much) - they may be. :^( ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
Even with the sails furled, your boat's freeboard and doghouse catch the wind. The submerged part of the boat is subject to waves, current flow, and tides. So long as only one part of the boat is tethered to the bottom, the other end is free to swing. If you want the boat to stay more or less in one place, drop another anchor from the stern. However, other boats around you may not be anchored in the same way, and although you aren't moving (much) - they may be. :^( ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
I Don't Know About Yours...
...but it is an inherent quality of Hunters to swing at the mooring/anchor. It is addressed quite frequently on this web site. Check the srchives. So long as I know the reason, I'm satisfied to let it swing.
...but it is an inherent quality of Hunters to swing at the mooring/anchor. It is addressed quite frequently on this web site. Check the srchives. So long as I know the reason, I'm satisfied to let it swing.
Wheel Over
Try this. Once when we were anchored with friends at Frazers Hog Cay in the Berry Islands (Bahamas), all the boats were swinging on their anchors or mooring. We own a Hunter 31. A friend who owns a Cabo Rico 38 gave us a hint. He said to put the wheel (rudder) all the way over, to either side, might help. We tried it and it did help. I asked Al why this might work and he said he didn't know, but someone had told him to try it. Good luck.
Try this. Once when we were anchored with friends at Frazers Hog Cay in the Berry Islands (Bahamas), all the boats were swinging on their anchors or mooring. We own a Hunter 31. A friend who owns a Cabo Rico 38 gave us a hint. He said to put the wheel (rudder) all the way over, to either side, might help. We tried it and it did help. I asked Al why this might work and he said he didn't know, but someone had told him to try it. Good luck.
Windage
The problem with sailing at anchor is that on a strong wind it will pull your anchor out. The condition is caused by a wind center of effort to far forward. In boats with a backstay you can raise a storm tri-sail backwards and it will correct condition. For those Hunters without a backstay I have seen some use the topping lift to hank the tri-sail. A trailing dingui weighed with water will also help keep boat aligned with current and diminish tendency to sail. Also for peace of mind carry a quick reseting anchor like a Bruce or a plow.
The problem with sailing at anchor is that on a strong wind it will pull your anchor out. The condition is caused by a wind center of effort to far forward. In boats with a backstay you can raise a storm tri-sail backwards and it will correct condition. For those Hunters without a backstay I have seen some use the topping lift to hank the tri-sail. A trailing dingui weighed with water will also help keep boat aligned with current and diminish tendency to sail. Also for peace of mind carry a quick reseting anchor like a Bruce or a plow.
Like Paul said, check the archives
Or was that srchives?
Last year a fellow posted the link to his web site with the results of his testing and theories as to why modern boats swing. It had to do with the rounded shape of the hull causing lift like a wing and the other side of the hull would unload. The result is the boat sets up an oscillation that can get out of hand. Wish I had kept his link in my favorites.
Or was that srchives?
Last year a fellow posted the link to his web site with the results of his testing and theories as to why modern boats swing. It had to do with the rounded shape of the hull causing lift like a wing and the other side of the hull would unload. The result is the boat sets up an oscillation that can get out of hand. Wish I had kept his link in my favorites.Think Heaving To!
Think about what you are doing when you heave to! A small storm sail on the backstay sheeted forward on one side or the other, then hard over the rudder in the opposite direction will usually do the trick. Jon McClain
Think about what you are doing when you heave to! A small storm sail on the backstay sheeted forward on one side or the other, then hard over the rudder in the opposite direction will usually do the trick. Jon McClain
Anchor Sail
Will cure the problem any sailmaker can make you one. We have one for our 28.5 and it cured the problem. Cliff
Will cure the problem any sailmaker can make you one. We have one for our 28.5 and it cured the problem. Cliff
Sailrite
As others have said, an anchor riding sail attached to the backstay (or topping lift if necessary) and pulled down to one side helps keep the boat stable. Sailrite makes a great kit that you can use to make one yourself (comes with all parts, hardware and instructions). I'm sure you could buy materials separately instead of the kit, but it sure is easy. A fun winter project - if you find you take to the method, you might end up making yourself a whole suite of sails! I have no connection to Sailrite in any way...blah, blah... I just think it's a fun and useful project. Best, Trevor
As others have said, an anchor riding sail attached to the backstay (or topping lift if necessary) and pulled down to one side helps keep the boat stable. Sailrite makes a great kit that you can use to make one yourself (comes with all parts, hardware and instructions). I'm sure you could buy materials separately instead of the kit, but it sure is easy. A fun winter project - if you find you take to the method, you might end up making yourself a whole suite of sails! I have no connection to Sailrite in any way...blah, blah... I just think it's a fun and useful project. Best, Trevor
Maybe try adding a back end?
The photo looks like about 6 feet of the back of the boat are missing. Maybe the ducks saw what happened? Markdb
The photo looks like about 6 feet of the back of the boat are missing. Maybe the ducks saw what happened? Markdb
wind against tide
I anchored out on the Wando River following a brisk sail with 30 knot winds.. The tide was coming in when I anchored and the tide and wind were in concert and my boat was pretty stable. During the night the wind died and we enjoyed a quite night.. In the morning the wind piped back up to 30 knots and was blowing against an ebb tide. My boat ( 27' Catalina) started to sail ,quite vigerously to the point that the anchor line went under the boat several times rubbing against the Catalinas rather sharp keel. I didn't try to remedy the situation because we were going to leave right after breakfast.. During my second coffee there was a loud ping signaling the parting of the anchor line.. Now I know why the prior owner had a stern anchor rigged on the aft rail..its the nature of my boat to sail at anchor,,,and I use it now every time I anchor out..
I anchored out on the Wando River following a brisk sail with 30 knot winds.. The tide was coming in when I anchored and the tide and wind were in concert and my boat was pretty stable. During the night the wind died and we enjoyed a quite night.. In the morning the wind piped back up to 30 knots and was blowing against an ebb tide. My boat ( 27' Catalina) started to sail ,quite vigerously to the point that the anchor line went under the boat several times rubbing against the Catalinas rather sharp keel. I didn't try to remedy the situation because we were going to leave right after breakfast.. During my second coffee there was a loud ping signaling the parting of the anchor line.. Now I know why the prior owner had a stern anchor rigged on the aft rail..its the nature of my boat to sail at anchor,,,and I use it now every time I anchor out..
Stern anchor
I use a stern anchor a lot where I sail - the Channel Islands of S. Calif. And that solves the problem for me. In fact it's almost standard practice to anchor bow and stern in most of these anchorages. I use 270-300 feet rode on both bow and stern
I use a stern anchor a lot where I sail - the Channel Islands of S. Calif. And that solves the problem for me. In fact it's almost standard practice to anchor bow and stern in most of these anchorages. I use 270-300 feet rode on both bow and stern
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