riding sail

[mikieg]

any one use an small "riding sail" while at anchor? looks like it just hanks onto the backstay and ties to the bottom of the mast. supposed to keep the bow into the wind while at anchor.
anyone here use this?

[Minnewaska]

I own one that has never been out of the bag it came in. Just not a big priority.

[Bene505]

I got one becasue our Beneteau 50 would tack 120 degrees at anchor. When I put the riding sail up, tacking went down to 10 degrees total (5 degrees each side the wind). We would actually sail upwind on one side of the anchor and then the other. There were some significant forces on the anchor sail as the boat shifted those 5 degrees each way.

After installing our FourWindsII wind generator, we didn't need the riding sail anymore. There's enough wind resistance in the wind genny to prevent the boat surging forward during tacks. Since getting the wind generator I haven't raised the riding sail/anchor sail.

I figure I could use it as a storm jib, if the jib ever shredded.

Regards,
Brad

[Minnewaska]

Bene, your boat would make upwind progress at anchor with no sails? Now that's a sailboat!

We don't make upwind progress, but even on a mooring, we can swing the same 120 degrees in a good wind. If the wind is dead on stable, not so much, but that's rare. If shifty, even a little bit, she overreacts.

We rarely stay a the same anchorage or mooring for more than one night, so I just haven't rigged it yet. The one i bought is more like the OP described and is attached to the boom and backstays, not up by the jib. It's more like a three fin dart feather than a sail.

[Faster]

We got one with our boat.. but since we stern tie so often it we rarely used it.

We gave it to our friends who sail their B 36.7 in the Caribbean - another boat that 'sails' miles at anchor, often getting into such an arc at such a speed that the anchor fetching up was a tangible shock - and in one extreme case tripped the anchor.

They use it daily - even for a lunch stop - and while it doesn't stop the to and fro on the hook it has reduced the arc significantly and the transitions from one side to the other are rather gentle. They absolutely swear by it.

[cb32863]

So I have an O'Day 25 that is going to be on a mooring this coming season, should I consider getting an anchor sail for my boat when I am not on it? This thread reminded me about them as I had been thinking about it. Just wondering if anyone knows if an O'Day 25 sails at anchor..... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get one.

[funjohnson]

I had the same issue at my mooring and just started moving the boom to the port side when I would come in for the night. The sail cover, boom, and mainsail would put enough load to hold me to one side.

[travlineasy]

Yes. I have one, it measures about 4 X 4 X 4 feet, I hank it on to the back stay shortly after setting the anchor, and it's the best thing since sliced bread. Before using the sail the boat swung hard on the anchor, which is a bit disconcerting while you're anchored in the middle of a fleet of boats and trying to get some sleep. With the sail in place, the boat does not swing at all, stays pointed directly into the wind and makes for a great night's sleep. No swinging, no rocking, no rolling.

Cheers,

Gary

[HUGOSALT]

Same as above...works great to stop yawing which will put great
load on ground tackle. I set mine on backstay but find that offseting to port or starboard toe rail works best.

[upei1]

quick question: What if you are in a tight mooring field, and you are the only one using the sail. Where I am moored, all the boats shift with the tide and the wind, some faster than others......being a newbie, I just had to ask!
Thanks!