-------------Forwarded Message----------------- From: Earl R. Hinz, 110165,2052 To: INTERNET:Thataway@aol.com, INTERNET:Thataway@aol.com = Date: 8/4/99 7:51 AM RE: Re: Sea Anchors Message text written by INTERNET:Thataway@aol.com <What really bothers me is that several boats were lost last fall while lying to = ea anchors and I suspect that deployment was not done appropiately or th= at a = false sense of security was present because of the sea anchor. Bob -- I am not aware of any failures of a sea anchor canopy and shrouds by themselves. Losses are due to chafing of the rode which seems not to be preventable by conventional anti-chafing gear because of the nylon rode's= elasticity. My recommedation is to insert short lengths of high test chai= n into the nylon rode at 300, 400, 500 and 600 (end) foot locations. The chain being long enough to keep riding over the bow roller during stretching of the rode between roller and samson post or bit. The chain would not be so heavy as to alter the "catenary" of the rode, but would keep the sea anchor in place resisting chafe for the storm duration. The length intervals allow some adjustment to wave length and after studying storm waves I have concluded that you cannot estimate wave lengths of the= principal waves closer than 100 feet. Losing a sea anchor in use puts any boat in the trough where capsizing is= the result. Better to make and use a dedicated chafe-resisting rode than = to lose the benefits of a sea anchor. Sailboats have other storm tactics the= y can employ, but powerboats need a sea anchor. Earl