Coastal cruising, strong winds and anchoring

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Velella99

I do appreciate the candour in your quesrion and scenario. It's an question not asked openly enough. ....

... we have found that two things have been a real advantage in managing winds to 40 knots. One is the flexibility of the rig : we have a staysail ketch and can alter the rig from full sail to reefed mizzen and staysail, both of which are self tacking. It allows well cut, strong sails with low centre of effort and the boat handles beautifully in any angle. These sails are immediately deployable and I've literally run forward and dropped the main and furled the jib in a minute leaving a strong weather suit set up. The other is a good engine and a heavy boat. ...

Thanks Velella99, you seem to have grasped the nature of the question.

FWIW, the Roberts 45 was on the final short list for us, for many of the reasons you give here. As it turned out, a suitable Swanson 42 became available first. But they are similar solid boats with flexible cutter rigs. There was a ketch version of the Swanson 42 but I was warned not to go with it as it (according to this person, who did know the boats very well) was a bit under-canvassed. As it is, the Swanson does seem to allow me to tuck in during the bigger blows, and ride them out.

Our boat ended up with a significantly bigger engine after the original owner got caught in some bad weather, now with 96HP and a very big prop I feel we can keep control in bad conditions if required.

Matt