Catamaran storm sea anchoring

Crazy in a Cat. At least you could have been in a monohull. Dan R

I miss this weather! Friggen freaky but really made me feel alive and at one with the elements for real.

my name is gavin

I would like to know more about what you used for anti chafe. Also did you use snatch blocks to reduce chafe? I assume your bridle was equally spaced. Have you tried cocked the cat to one side to increase von karman vortex? Finally,I should think a bigger parachute would be better. Can you discuss the effectiveness of the parachute relative to the normal sea state?

It is nearly impossible to work on the foredeck in these conditions. Adjusting the rode seemed dangerous so I put out 200m of three stranded nylon braid. The parachute was a Tasman 15 parachute sea anchor. Although the textbooks sometimes recommend ajdusting the rode length so that your yacht goes up as the parachute goes into the wave this is unrealistic. For a start you often cannot even see forwards and the wavelenth varies. Put as much out as you have! Magic Happens is a 40ft Hitchiker.

Hi doc, I have a 36ft tri and I was just wondering if you knew the size of the chute you used and did you put out all the rode if so how much ,if you can remember thanks as i have been thinking of getting one btw an excellent vid cheers Andy

Under the parachute we actually tracked to windward with the prevailing current at about 1/4-1/2 knot. We locked the rudders amidship and had no issues and did not surge backwards on the line. An essential safety device in my opinion

Did a search and was surprised not much came up for 'parachute sea anchor catamaran storm" I would think this is a must have set up to avoid running down wind and giving up miles towards your goal. Any issues with your rudders?

Look's like fun.. and you lived to tell the tale

Magic Happens, our 40ft Hitchiker catamaran safely made it to New Caledonia after 36 hours in the Pacific storm. A nearby 38ft monohull, 'Pippin', rolled and sunk, her crew rescued by the French Navy. We continued our 3 year pacific cruise with no incidents quite as bad as this one.

Now that is an impressive video - none of that "60 knots" bullshit when it's 25-30 in other videos ... respect guys !! Good video as well. How did it all end up - we want part 2 and the end !!!! do stick it on a comment if you cant stick it in a vid ? thanks and good sailing guys !

Man, that was awesome...you caught those big waves perfectly. Reminded me of a chick I once knew...huge, fun to ride, but a cold mean bitch.