Hunter 426 sailing around anchor

[captainpat]

I understand there is a lot of windage on the Hunter 426/44 boats but I have never experienced the violence of the yawing at anchor in a blow that I have on my 426. I brought a delta riding sail which helps quite a bit when it is set. The last time I anchored up in still pond it was blowing 25k. The anchor just would not hold while the boat oscillated close to 90 degrees either side of the anchor. I had to set the delta riding sail while dragging downwind then reset the hook. Anyone have any other experiences/solutions/comments. I brought the delta riding sail because even in light wind there is, what seems to me, excessive swing. I want to sleep well, so I rig the sail and make sure the hook is solidly set with more then enough of an all chain rode with snubber. I'm not a fan of tandem anchoring for several reasons, but I'm thinking I may have to resort to this not so full-proof method.

 

[Don Lucas]

I wish I could help you, but ............... Where I was checking into issue before I got my 410 I hear the riding at anchor thing a few times. But I haven't really noticed it to be any different that my last boat. maybe it is because I have a dinghy on the back that catches some wind.

 

[captainpat]

Likewise; I have the dink on davits plus full canvas - not making things any better for sure.

 

[Sailgunner]

What kind of anchor do you have? We all move a lot but my Rocna 25 holds like a champ in all wind conditions.

 

[captainpat]

Delta Plow. It has not been a problem until that incident. I have been anchored in such wind before but the wind came up after being anchored for a while in light air.

 

[captainpat]

Sailgunner, where in Punta Gorda? We just brought a small condo in Burnt Store Marina.

 

[Franklin]

"Swinging" is combination of a lot of things but the winds and rode are the biggest contributors.

If it's gusty, when the wind dies down, the weight of the chain will pull the boat up. When the wind picks up, the chain will tighten because the bow will be blown to one side or the other quickly. The boat didn't swing yet...the bow just fell off. The swinging is the stern trying to straighten out after the chain got tight.

In my experience, chain rope combo doesn't do that as much. Some boats that have lighter bows with lots of windage up there swing more. Full keel boats also swing less. The sail on the stern just helps the stern be pushed back also at the same time. The more windage in aft, the less it will swing. The heavier the bow, the less it will swing. The lighter the rode, the less it will swing (exception being adding a heavy weight down the chain just 1 foot short of the depth really helps).

 

[Franklin]

My advice is to get a bigger and better anchor. My favorites are Bulwagga, Mantus and Rocna in that order. They don't sell the Bulwagga anymore so I would recommend the Mantus. I have done tests myself with about 9 different anchors in very hard stuff in Panama and Bulwagga set the best with Mantus being the only other that even set. I have a Mantus as my backup anchor that I rode out Sandy on in Marsh Harbour a few years ago. It was about 90 knots for several hours and it didn't budge at all...well...1 or 2 feet to dig in better. I know because I had the Bulwagga chained to it and the slack was still there afterwords.

Rocna is a really good anchor too...just can't take it apart like the Mantus and it's setting isn't as good.

 

[Marc14857]

We purchased a Banner Bay stay sail a few years back for our H44. Does not totally eliminate sailing at anchor but makes a big difference.

 

[captainpat]

I do have to admit that the Banner Bay sail does work. I'm pleased with it despite having to set it when tired after a long day. It takes some experimenting to get it set to where it does the most efficient job. I have it all pre rigged in its bag so setting it can be done in short order.

 

[Franklin]

I forget the name of it, but another option is tying a rope to the chain about 10 feet out and then back to a midship cleat or stern cleat. Idea is to keep the boat at an angle (20-30), so when the wind gust comes, the bow isn't blown as far over because the stern is already windage.

 

[quadrille38]

I feel your pain. Our 38 sails like a banshee on anchor.

Do a search of the archives as this topic has been well discussed and many helpful suggestions to try to combat the phenomena.

 

[Sailgunner]

Sailgunner, where in Punta Gorda? We just brought a small condo in Burnt Store Marina.

We are in PGI. Love it here. Have noticed it gets pretty shallow in the Burnt Store Marina Channel so watch the winds. North winds will blow the water out of the harbor.

 

[Mikem]

We also have the Banner Bay sail on our 46 and although it does not eliminate the swing it greatly reduces it. Without it the swing is close to 90 degrees (+- 45). And it also is prerigged for a quicker set.

 

[Navicula]

great post......I have a few friends, one with a passage and another with a 460....while all three where anchored in a blow and we were all on deck in the middle of the night to see if we were dragging I noticed it ....they where the only to boats that where sailing at anchor.....it was unreal, they where moving in every direction except the way the wind was blowing....I will forward them some of these tips

 

[JamesG161]

My 43' has Danforth and sets well on a sand bottom.
http://danforthanchors.com/standard.html
Please note the anchor scope needed for a 20knt wind on their chart.
I have a in mast main furling and pull out about 18" more to stabilize the swing.
Plus i have an Anchor drift alarm on my gps or iPhone/iPad app does it too. I have slept well in 4' seas and 20 knots winds.
Jim...

 

[seadaddler]

Sailgunner
WOW 25 delta on your 410
a 25 delta came with my H-36 and up graded to 35 delta and 90' of chain and snubber
holds me real good in anything and don't swing much as I did.
I now have a 35 Mantus and Oh Boy it digs in fast and holds like glue and tried the sailing sail thing but did not seem to really help and so much work with inmast.
I don't swing as much any more.
Nick

 

[Sailgunner]

Sailgunner
WOW 25 delta on your 410
a 25 delta came with my H-36 and up graded to 35 delta and 90' of chain and snubber
holds me real good in anything and don't swing much as I did.
I now have a 35 Mantus and Oh Boy it digs in fast and holds like glue and tried the sailing sail thing but did not seem to really help and so much work with inmast.
I don't swing as much any more.
Nick

No Nick. 25 Rocna which is a 55# anchor.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I forget the name of it, but another option is tying a rope to the chain about 10 feet out and then back to a midship cleat or stern cleat. Idea is to keep the boat at an angle (20-30), so when the wind gust comes, the bow isn't blown as far over because the stern is already windage.

It's called a bridle.

 

[justsomeguy]

As opposed to "bridal", also having something to do with chain.