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 Mahina


You are sailing for only 10% of the time and attached to land for the remaining 90%.


Learn the latest practical and rewarding aspects of ocean cruising from accomplished world cruisers and instructors John and Amanda Neal.


Radisson Sea-Tac: April 2 Strictly Sail Pacific - Oakland: April 16


Seven months a year John and Amanda conduct sail-training expeditions worldwide aboard their Hallberg-Rassy 46, Mahina Tiare. This seminar incorporates the knowledge gained from their combined 544,000 sea miles and 69 years experience.


This intensive, exciting and interactive seminar features over 18 topics


including Choosing the Right Boat, Equipment Selection, Storm Avoidance and Survival, Safety & Medical Concerns, Communications, Anchoring, Galley Essentials, Managing Your Escape & Cruising Routes Worldwide.


9 hours of detailed instruction with PowerPoint illustration follow the 260 page Offshore Cruising Companion.


Details and online registration: www.mahina.com or call 1.800.875.0852, 206.283.0858, fax 206.285.1935


 


I would like to reinforce Mike Huston’s comments (“Lessons to be learned from ‘Small problems turn into Big Trouble,’” December 2010) on anchor size. Most people forget that the sole purpose of an anchor is to ensure you wake up in the same anchorage where you went to sleep. In my opinion, therefore, a minimum anchor size of two pounds of plow anchor per foot of boat length and all chain rode will achieve that security. The second thing that is forgotten is that a cruiser is sailing for only 10% of the time and attached to land for the remaining 90%. The extreme example of this is the owner of a brand new 50-foot racer/cruiser (an oxymoron, but that is another subject) who we met in Puerto Vallarta as he was about to set off across the Pacific. He had a 25 pound anchor and all rope rode because he didn’t want to compromise the sailing performance of his new boat. At my insistence (he had his wife and three children on board), he changed to all chain rode, but would not increase anchor size. His boat survived, but his marriage didn’t. For the record, Dolphin Spirit our Mason 53, carries a bow mounted 110 pound CQR with 400 feet of chain, a second bow mounted 75 pound CQR with 150 feet of chain and 400 feet of rope rode, and a stern mounted 44 pound Bruce with 300 feet of chain, all ready for instant deployment, all with power anchor winches. In several thousand anchorings during our circumnavigation, we dragged only three times. Twice were for reasons we never determined and once because I didn’t let out enough scope, and my only excuse was that the two young ladies on the boat next to us were totally naked. Related to the fuel problems in the letter, I fitted a second fuel filter in parallel with the first. At any sign of problems, a quick flick of two valves puts a fresh, clean filter (full of fuel so there is immediate flow) in line.


Laurie Pane Dolphin Spirit Mason 53


FYI - I circumnavigated with my wife and 8 year old


son in Dolphin Spirit, a Mason 53. “Chasing Sunsets, a practicing devout coward’s circumnavigation with his wife and son” and “Steering You Straight, tips for cruisers, soon-to-be cruisers, and the envious everyone else,” are the books that came out of the circumnavigation. I have a monthly page “Cruising Tips” in “Latitudes and Attitudes” magazine. www.chasingsunsetsthebook.com is the website.


I never thought about anchors and ground tackle as being a marital aid but I guess it can’t hurt. Seriously, we’ve had lots of comments on the article and are pleased that it has caused so many cruisers to rethink their anchoring systems.


48° NORTH, FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 18


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Letters


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