All right, someone opened the Pandora's box of ANCHORING(Thanks Phil). Since this is the case, we must therefore address those wider issues that are part of this most important of tasks. I would like to find out what all of you think about the fact that our boats wander around from side to side when anchored in a breeze. But since I am pretty sure that nobody likes this trait, I'm primarily interested in what you may have done to combat it. There are 3 ways that I have thought of to stop the 'hunting'. 1. Lie to 2 anchors, bow and stern so the boat can't wander. This works well as long as there is no change in the wind or current....2. Use a riding sail. If a small triangular sail is fitted to the aft portion of the main boom and pulled tight, it will act as a windvane and hold the boat head to wind. 3. Use a bridle. If a bridle is fitted to the main anchor rode(you need a snubber to absorb shock anyway) in such a way as to put the pull of the wind on the quarter(hold the boat on an angle to the wind)you should be able to hold the boat steady. I have not used these last two yet, but have given this issue much thought, in fact, I am carrying a small sail aboard to set in this way at the next opportunity. Please give me your thoughts, perhaps we can shed some light on how to hold her more steady during those nights aboard, eh? Admit it, it would be nice to look out the window and see the same thing twice when you are trying to figure out if you've dragged in the middle of the nite, wouldn't it? Ron H40.5 Best Revenge.
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Anchor Sail
I always use an anchor sail. It is a very small sail that I tie to the end of the main boom. Keeps the boat from jerking on the anchor line all night and sailing around.
I always use an anchor sail. It is a very small sail that I tie to the end of the main boom. Keeps the boat from jerking on the anchor line all night and sailing around.
Don't mind it much...
I can see HOW this sailing around at anchor would be a major disadvantage in a crowded anchorage or in a place where you have a very small area. In these situations I drop two anchors. For all other situations, I just let it swing; it changes the view, and I'm usually too busy cooking dinner or sleeping to notice the swing (although I check drag religiously for the first two or three hours). I'm curious why this is an undesirable trait other than crowded anchorages and small coves????
I can see HOW this sailing around at anchor would be a major disadvantage in a crowded anchorage or in a place where you have a very small area. In these situations I drop two anchors. For all other situations, I just let it swing; it changes the view, and I'm usually too busy cooking dinner or sleeping to notice the swing (although I check drag religiously for the first two or three hours). I'm curious why this is an undesirable trait other than crowded anchorages and small coves????
Anchor sail details
I would likw some details of the Anchor sail you decribe, approx dimensions, and how you rig it. I am purchasing a Hunter 335 and intend for it to be at anchor quite often. If anyone has a photograph tey could e mail me that would be even better.
I would likw some details of the Anchor sail you decribe, approx dimensions, and how you rig it. I am purchasing a Hunter 335 and intend for it to be at anchor quite often. If anyone has a photograph tey could e mail me that would be even better.
charging
Regarding Jay's curiosity as to why it is undesirable for a boat to charge its anchor: 1. it increases chafe on the rode (or snubber, as the case may be) 2. it increases the chance of fouling the hook, especially when multiple anchors are set 3. it decreases the comfort of crew, especially those who haven't got long sea legs. 4. it can tend to defeat anchor alarms, for those of us who sleep better with them. 5. it allows people with full-length keels to feel superior to those of us with bulb or fin keels
Regarding Jay's curiosity as to why it is undesirable for a boat to charge its anchor: 1. it increases chafe on the rode (or snubber, as the case may be) 2. it increases the chance of fouling the hook, especially when multiple anchors are set 3. it decreases the comfort of crew, especially those who haven't got long sea legs. 4. it can tend to defeat anchor alarms, for those of us who sleep better with them. 5. it allows people with full-length keels to feel superior to those of us with bulb or fin keels
Now I understand
John, Thanks for the input. Guess I've been very fortunate; never had any of those as a problem. I use rubber hose on the rode; a 6' length allows one wrap around the cleat, a foot or two next to the boat and a couple of feet in front of the boat. For the rest I've been extremely lucky, no fouling, complaining or alarms. thanks for the insight!
John, Thanks for the input. Guess I've been very fortunate; never had any of those as a problem. I use rubber hose on the rode; a 6' length allows one wrap around the cleat, a foot or two next to the boat and a couple of feet in front of the boat. For the rest I've been extremely lucky, no fouling, complaining or alarms. thanks for the insight!
Its a Drag
In my experience all yachts sail about on their anchors, not just Hunters. Worse if the rode is mostly rope, worse still if it is long. I drop a kedge over the bow with just enough scope to lay on the bottom at high water. I make no attempt to set it and the drag on the bottom is enought to prevent "hunting". Strangely it has never tangled with the main rode or anything else. Regards,
In my experience all yachts sail about on their anchors, not just Hunters. Worse if the rode is mostly rope, worse still if it is long. I drop a kedge over the bow with just enough scope to lay on the bottom at high water. I make no attempt to set it and the drag on the bottom is enought to prevent "hunting". Strangely it has never tangled with the main rode or anything else. Regards,
Hi Ron!
Ron, I put up a riding sail which I got from Sailright and it helped but not nearly as much as I hoped. My major concern is the extra load when the boat swings and presents extra wind loading. Plus I'm tired of the full keel guys feeling superior. I'm gonna try a small cone type sea anchor off the stern on a short enough line to not get sucked into the prop. Be interesting to see what everyone's come up with. Dan Serendipity Too
Ron, I put up a riding sail which I got from Sailright and it helped but not nearly as much as I hoped. My major concern is the extra load when the boat swings and presents extra wind loading. Plus I'm tired of the full keel guys feeling superior. I'm gonna try a small cone type sea anchor off the stern on a short enough line to not get sucked into the prop. Be interesting to see what everyone's come up with. Dan Serendipity Too
Do what the Navy does
When Navy vessels have this problem, they drop a second anchor straight down from the bow with enough slack so it catches. I tried it with a small dinghy anchor and it helped.
When Navy vessels have this problem, they drop a second anchor straight down from the bow with enough slack so it catches. I tried it with a small dinghy anchor and it helped.
Here's an idea
What we could do is get a couple of tail fins from a 50-60's Cadillac and mount them on the stern rail or not
What we could do is get a couple of tail fins from a 50-60's Cadillac and mount them on the stern rail or not
Hunting Hunters
Ron, When our 37 'sails' at anchor, I lock the rudder hard over. This quiets down the movement quite a bit. Bob
Ron, When our 37 'sails' at anchor, I lock the rudder hard over. This quiets down the movement quite a bit. Bob
What I do
Yes, my H40.5 likes to hunt in the wind. So I’ve tried a few things over the last 2 years and found some ways to minimize the swing. If there is current, use the bow cleat on the side from which the current comes and turn the wheel hard over to in the direction of the current flow. Example, if the current moves from starboard to port, use the starboard cleat and steer the boat to port. She should still sail around but normally not sail to starboard pass the direction of the wind before she sails back to port. Swing in cut in half. The stronger the current, the less the swing. If there is NO current, chose either side. If the current is hard to detect, try each side. One side will work better than the other will. The other suggestions do help. I personally don’t set a second anchor unless absolutely necessary because of all the extra work involved. Setting, fouling and muddy anchors are a pain to clean. I use a stiff brush that attaches to my extension boat hook pole to brush the chain and the anchor as they come out of the water. In bad weather, use a harness and clip on or just live with the mud and cleanup later. A riding sail also seems like extra work.
Yes, my H40.5 likes to hunt in the wind. So I’ve tried a few things over the last 2 years and found some ways to minimize the swing. If there is current, use the bow cleat on the side from which the current comes and turn the wheel hard over to in the direction of the current flow. Example, if the current moves from starboard to port, use the starboard cleat and steer the boat to port. She should still sail around but normally not sail to starboard pass the direction of the wind before she sails back to port. Swing in cut in half. The stronger the current, the less the swing. If there is NO current, chose either side. If the current is hard to detect, try each side. One side will work better than the other will. The other suggestions do help. I personally don’t set a second anchor unless absolutely necessary because of all the extra work involved. Setting, fouling and muddy anchors are a pain to clean. I use a stiff brush that attaches to my extension boat hook pole to brush the chain and the anchor as they come out of the water. In bad weather, use a harness and clip on or just live with the mud and cleanup later. A riding sail also seems like extra work.
Cleat location
This is just my personal observation, but I think it helps to run the snubber line over the anchor roller instead of over the side from a cleat. By putting the tension directly on the bow the boats wants to point into the wind. If you put tension on one side or the other the boat wants to sit slightly cocked to the wind. Once it it cocked it starts to sail upwind until the arc of the anchor line pulls the boat into the wind and then everything repeats in the other direction. Okay maybe I made this up, but it works on our boat. I noticed a difference and it sounds good to me.
This is just my personal observation, but I think it helps to run the snubber line over the anchor roller instead of over the side from a cleat. By putting the tension directly on the bow the boats wants to point into the wind. If you put tension on one side or the other the boat wants to sit slightly cocked to the wind. Once it it cocked it starts to sail upwind until the arc of the anchor line pulls the boat into the wind and then everything repeats in the other direction. Okay maybe I made this up, but it works on our boat. I noticed a difference and it sounds good to me.
I LIKE IT !
My vote goes to the 1959. Tallest fin, and the bullet tail lights add to the effect.
My vote goes to the 1959. Tallest fin, and the bullet tail lights add to the effect.
Fins are In
I also like the '59 Caddi fins. I would install them on my arch next to the outriggers. I would also include the two size 38DD "bullets" from the front bumper and install them one on each side of the bow. This would streamline the wind across the bow and the fins on the arch would keep the boat straight.
I also like the '59 Caddi fins. I would install them on my arch next to the outriggers. I would also include the two size 38DD "bullets" from the front bumper and install them one on each side of the bow. This would streamline the wind across the bow and the fins on the arch would keep the boat straight.
Fin Efficiency
Are the '59 fins big enough to help steer the boat from on deck? If so, we could remove the rudder and reduce the wetted surface area of the boat enough to lower a few handicaps. No?
Are the '59 fins big enough to help steer the boat from on deck? If so, we could remove the rudder and reduce the wetted surface area of the boat enough to lower a few handicaps. No?
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