wandering at anchor

[Jim Bunnell]

Some of us M owners don't have a backstay.
I'm sure it could be rigged up somehow though.

Could this be made to simply self support between the rear railing and the end of the (taut) main halyard? I wouldn't think it would normally have a great deal of pressure on it, since it would weather-vane the boat if the wind shifted.

[tom clayton]

does anyone fly an anchor sail from a m i would love to get my boat to stop its sailing all night long. If anyone has a source and how to i would appreciate it.

[Catigale]

Throwing a mushroom off the stern, especially if you have a low cleat, is

-cheaper
-faster
-more versatile

than a staysail imho

You need this kind of mushroom


Not this kind

[Highlander]

Steph
I could see that first Mushroom tangling up the prop on a good dance unless hung out from the boom !

On the second Mushroom your not harvesting Angel mushrooms !

J

[Sloop John B]

I use the mushroom. Check the 'dance' and when boat is way out to either port or starboard, toss the mushroom out further in the same direction, that is, off to the side, and then cleat it to a stern horn cleat. Down here, it drags back and forth in the sand but it does slow things down. I don't think the rode can be fouled this way. I've used the 'bridle' in the past but forgot exactly how that was configured. Might have used a winch, but that seems too far aft.

[Catigale]

I could see that first Mushroom tangling up the prop on a good dance unless hung out from the boom !

If you cleat it off up high, it will foul the motor/prop on a dance, agreed.

Trick is to cleat it low....

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ern#p98490

[Billy]

Set 2 anchors at 45* off each side of the bow into the wind and it will stop searching.

I guess what I do is a modified Bahamian mooring and for the past 9 years it has basically stopped my X from searching. (And I only use two 8 lb. danforth wannabees.) Since I solo this is the procedure I use. With the bitter ends cleated, one on each side of the bow, I run the rode and anchors back to the cockpit. I then approach my anchoring spot going downwind with the genoa only, on the port side . I then toss the starboard anchor first, start a right turn letting the rode(100') run free. This then puts the boat on a beam reach. By maintaining a slow easy turn the boat should start to head into the wind (and into irons) just as the rode has paid out. (If not the first anchor will set and pull the bow into the wind.) Using the wind as a referenced centerline, the boat should now be directly across from the first anchor. At this point, I toss the port anchor, roll in the genoa, lift all the foils, and let the wind push the boat back. Drifting down wind, the momentum of boat will set the port anchor when it runs out of rode. The two anchors should now be at 45* to the centerline of the boat. This has held my X in 30 knot blows. (There's got to be a good bottom and enough rode!)

This is even easier with a crew member and use of the motor but really looks cool done under sail.

[vkmaynard]

We've used Billy's method since attending his MacGregor Owners school. Works great.

The only difference is that we use the motor since we are not nearly as skilled as Billy:)

Victor

[Sumner]

We've used Billy's method since attending his MacGregor Owners school. Works great.

The only difference is that we use the motor since we are not nearly as skilled as Billy:)

Victor

Hey we will try that also, but will probably also be using the outboard . Thanks Billy,

Sum

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[Russ]

I then toss the starboard anchor first

"Tossing" of one's anchor doesn't work as well as lowering it.

I love watching the yahoos pull up to a mooring and heave the anchor off the bow, go back and pop a beer to only watch their boat drifting down shortly after.


--Russ

[tom clayton]

i just got back from west marine with a 20 # mushroom. I plan to use it while anchored during the day, might just give billy's technique a try especially for nights on the hook would make me sleep better knowing i have two hooks keeping me where i want to be. I will have to go back to west and get another anchor setup first. Thanks all, for your insight, Tom.

[jschrade]

I then toss the starboard anchor first

"Tossing" of one's anchor doesn't work as well as lowering it.

I love watching the yahoos pull up to a mooring and heave the anchor off the bow, go back and pop a beer to only watch their boat drifting down shortly after.


--Russ

Some are better tossers than others I suppose!



Jim

[Sumner]

i just got back from west marine with a 20 # mushroom. I plan to use it while anchored during the day, might just give billy's technique a try especially for nights on the hook would make me sleep better knowing i have two hooks keeping me where i want to be. I will have to go back to west and get another anchor setup first. Thanks all, for your insight, Tom.

I would not put much faith in the mushroom at night if you had it as one of the two anchors off the bow. Dragging back and forth to slow swing is one thing, but counting on the mushroom to hold is another.

Good luck and buy good chain and lines and you won't regret it,

Sum

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[NiceAft]

I have an anchor sail for my

I run a line from the tack to the mast. For the head of the sail I either use the boom lift line, or disconect the main from its halyard, and then use that line. For the clew, I attach a snap to it, and then run a line from one of the aft cleats, through the snap, and then to the other cleat.

The key to the success of an anchor sail is to have it as far aft as possible


Ray

[magnetic]

that's an odd looking you have there!