Sailing off after Ernesto

[Pblais]

The passing of a tropical Storm / Depression often makes for some good sailing. So after a terrible day waiting for Ernesto to pass over we leave on a short cruise across the Chesapeake to Cape Charles in the morning.

We did the same trip last fall when TS Tanny went by though we got screwed with 30 knots on the nose for three days after we screamed across on a close haul with 25 knots of wind and got stuck in Cape Charles. This time we bring with us more boats and more wine.

[ssullivan]

Now that sounds like a GREAT way to spend some time! Let us know if you get some good wind. We had a few sailboats out in LI Sound this evening as Ernesto approached. We're under small craft right now and under gale later tonight.

I would have liked to get out in it just for some safe practice, but we have been working a lot lately and are too tired to sail at that level.

Have a great trip!

[Pblais]

The key is to wait untill after the storm passes. This morning we had 60 knots on the nose. I'm hopng for a broad reach at 15 knots in the morning. The chop on the lower Chesapeake will humble most any one.

[migot1]

Originally Posted by Pblais

The passing of a tropical Storm / Depression often makes for some good sailing. So after a terrible day waiting for Ernesto to pass over we leave on a short cruise across the Chesapeake to Cape Charles in the morning.

We did the same trip last fall when TS Tanny went by though we got screwed with 30 knots on the nose for three days after we screamed across on a close haul with 25 knots of wind and got stuck in Cape Charles. This time we bring with us more boats and more wine.

Hi Paul

..I have been saing 60 years now...currently a 37 ft sailing yacht in the Med.
there is one problem I have never solved, when it bows at night in the Greek island up to 50 kn, we ALWAYS drag..I have tried all types of anchors..no luck... the bottom in small pebles or small stones and the anchor drags like butter..with all the chain out 75 M of chain and 2 20 kg Bruce out...

???

Mike

[Pblais]

one problem I have never solved, when it bows at night in the Greek island up to 50 kn, we ALWAYS drag..

After 20 knots it always starts to get tricky with anchors. When it's calm I find the weight of the anchor and chain rode alone will hold the boat.

It sounds like you never really get a good bite on the anchor. During a Thunderstorm I've have 50 knots with a 33ft boat, 33 lbs Bruce, and 120 ft of 10 mm chain in 16 feet of water hold just fine even after a few circles around the anchor. Here on the Chesapeake the mud is soft enough to penetrate and thick enough to bury quite deep. You almost always have to break out the anchor in the morning with the full force of the boat going forward to do so.

I would think you have more than enough anchor and chain, but are lacking the holding power on the bottom to use them. I suppose it's not easy to always find good holding ground everyplace you go. Some places may have none. I guess you do what you already do and throw everything you have with a rode in the water, wait and watch.

[GordMay]

No anchor will hold well with a flat rock or stony bottom - but an anchor which can “hook” the rocks might make the best of a difficult situation.

Often a grapnel type anchor (Luke, Herreshoff, or Yachtsman, etc) is recommended in these situations (but the better choice is to find another anchorage if possible).

The yachtsman anchor has two heavy, pointed flukes, one of which will grab onto a rocky outcropping or stones, and hold on. A crossbar will keep one of the flukes in contact with the bottom.

The primary weakness of the design is its ability to foul the rode over changing winds & tides. Once fouled the anchor is likely to drag. Alco, the shape is generally not very compact, and is difficult to handle & stow.

If you are considering a Yachtsman anchor, remember that they rely on the geometry of the arms to work. A small fisherman won’t be big enough to grab a large rock and the palms will be too small to offer any holding. You need a BIG Yachtsman.

I used to often anchor in 20 - 40 feet of cold & dark (Lake Superior) water, over "cannon ball" rock. My moderately sized Danforth never failed me. I believe my success could be attributed to a very careful anchor setting regime.