Madness Offshore Tactics

here is the game plan for dealing with deteriorating conditions

1) all sails up
2) Reef main
secure items below police boat for safety (behind setees, etc.)
run jack lines
wear life vests
3) Double reef main, (if we buy inner forestay, hank on storm sail)
Forward companionway latched
dog hatches as necessary
hatchboards in
plastic sheets over rear bunk? Cover over electronics below?
4) double reef mizzen, or stow if conditions are likely to worsen

5) partially furl jib
dog hatches and floorboards, locate emergency repair kit, rigging cutters, etc.
confirm readiness of life raft, man overboard gear
use ssb to make sure that someone knows where we are and what we are facing

If we buy an inner forestay and hanks for storm jib:
5a) furl jib, raise storm jib

6) Heave to
7) Deploy drogue off bow bridle with bitter end run to stern (bow to seas)
furl mizzen first, drop main after?
8) Release bridle, run stern to seas
9) Release drogue, run free before wind
increase frequency of radio contacts if possible
10) Pray like never before


When do we put dodger down, how do we secure?
lee cloths?

When do we shut down the propane?

Shut down water? (I don't think so)

top off batteries to prep for long haul?

Prep food for long haul while you still can? put provisions in cockpit for on duty? Get out survival blankets to prevent hypothermia?

Drogues seem to cost around $200 for a 42' boat. (Defender, Delta Drogue, 72")

Drogue off of bow

Interesting thread:

I have often read, including on the Jordan series drogue website, that such a drogue is not suitable for bow deployment. I am not sure why, and don't believe I've read a good explanation why, but I accept it. I also accept two other things: 1) that the most comfortable position, at least in the early and mid stages of any storm, is hove to, and 2) Jordan designed his drogue primarily to help you survive big breaking waves. Oh, and a third, entirely personal, is 3) running off is frantic, exhausting and things break. So... as conditions worsen, you heave to. Conditions further deteriorate. You rig your series drogue normally at the stern, but lead it forward and with the help of a bridle you deploy it from the bow. Unless I'm wrong, it would stabilize and slow the motion of your boat, while not having the same drag resistance as a para-anchor. Conditions worsen, with the possibility of breaking seas. You release your bow bridle, the boat swings around and you are riding normally with the drogue off the stern. Does this make sense to you? Is it simply wasted effort to lead the drogue off the bow? Will I really be more comfortable if I remain pointed into the wind for as long as possible? Will the shortcomings of a series drogue as a sea anchor become apparent in earlier stages of a storm?

http://ssca.org/DiscBoard/viewtopic.php?t=214