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.
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.
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
I had heard of them deployed on the Bow but usually the stern! Did the Bow submarine from waves? Glad you had a working plan! I've been knocked down on an 83 foot Mono and was a concern! The force tore the generator off it's footing 850 lbs. And 8 shock mounts rated 800 lbs each. Dancing on the engine room floor! Thankfully the rigging held! Great information 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?
Hi, nice video - thanks. I wondered why you didn't use a Jordan Drogue instead of a single sea anchor? Have you used one ever and can thus give some comparison? I understand that here you are in a current counter to the wind, so there will be less jerking on the 'chute, than using it in other circumstances - so I wonder how a Jordan drogue would have behaved in this situation? Can't say I wish you fair winds as I like the videos you make, so bonnes voyages ;)
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 !
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
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?
