From: "John Harris" JohnPH@Comcast.net
Subject: Re: [PUP] Sea Anchors deployment

1. The "fetch line" with a small float
2. A large float to support the crown of the chute
3. The chute itself
4. The chute bridle
5. A swivel shackle
6. Up to 400' of nylon rode
7. A shackle
8. Up to 400' of BBB chain
9. Contact with the bow roller
10. Tie off at the bow near the anchor windless with a secure chain hook.

If this is near correct I am surprised at two things:

A) That the up to several under pounds of chain weight doesn't pull the float
and chute under.
B) That the boat rides comfortable, and in the "shadow" of the chute, when
attached at the bow roller rather than off to port. (or strbd for the southern
hemisphere)

-------------------- Reply
10. I do not use a chain hook.

The side loads a chain hook supply greater reduce the load carrying
capacity of the system.  I do not remember the actually figures but
the side load of a chain hook I believe reduces it > 50% (I think
it might even be a 75% reduction) so I NEVER use a chain hook
under load.  Does someone have actually numbers for this?

I use the chain stopper on the foredeck.

A)
However under the extremely loads of a sea anchor, I need
an anchor shock absorber.  This is the purpose of the chain:
it will sag in the water and then straighten out under the shock
load of the waves.  This catenary curve only has a small
"downward" force vector, so the float does not need to support the
full weight of the chain that is let out.  (One more factor, since the
float is high and boat deck is high, the weight of the chain that
is supported is 1/2 the length of chain (half the weight is supported
by the boat).

I do not plan to put out all 400 feet.

The idea of using a chain on the last portion of the line came
from Paratech, it is was part of there standard instructions
they sent to me as an update about a year or two ago.

B) Paratech and I am not sure that the shadow of the chute is
something to "depend on".  They say the power fishing boats
do not use it, and I decided to not depend on trying find it
with our style and weight boat..

I am sure that due to our boats windage (yours and even more
so mine) will ride very differently then a low freeboard sailboat.

In addition I do not think I could rig a / adjust a second line
to provide this.  I do not have a winch aft like sailboats.
Since the bow deployed sea anchor would be at an angle
I would be concerned  to adjust t with the windlass.

Scott, - Thank you for the clarifications.

I mis "spoke" when I said chain hook, I should have said chain stopper.

I checked the para-tech web site and they have nothing specific, that I was able to find, about use of chain near the boat in the configuration, only the use of chain - or a weight - near the swivel shackle at the bottom of the chute to maintain a catenary in the rode and keep the chute open. Your configuration still has some advantages over theirs.

Also, consider the ability to move the "apparent attachment point" off to port by shackling a rope rode to the anchor chain, attaching it to a stern quarter port side cleat and then letting out an addition 25' or so of anchor chain. This would allow you to set your "attack" angle over a reasonable range by adjusting the anchor chain using the bow windlass. (If you conclude that this is not to your best advantage you can always cut it free at the stern cleat, leaving a line to short to reach the prop.)

Regards, John