Dear Boat Doctor,

I have a hank-on staysail on my Passport 40. The sail doesn’t get used a lot, partly because it’s a hassle to drag the bag out and set up. I am thinking about a furler but I’m not sure if it’s worth it. What do you think?                                             

Bob Fulmer

West Dennis, Massachusetts

Dear Bob,

The value of a staysail can’t be disputed in heavy weather. The smaller headsail, lower and closer to the boat’s centerline, is perfect for pounding through seas with much less heeling. The setup of the sail has pros and cons.

Hank-on sails are bulletproof but, as you mentioned, can be a hassle to use. A simple upgrade is an on-deck bag. You can leave the sail hanked on and bag it up. You still need to mess with it, but pulling the bag off and hoisting is a lot easier.

But I think the best answer is a staysail furler. It is certainly the easiest to use, just unfurl and go. Yes, the furled sail is in the way when short-tacking the genoa, but I think the convenience is worth it.

How big of an anchor snubber do I need?

Dear Boat Doctor,

I am new to the big boat world, and this is my first boat with an all-chain anchor rode. I have been reading about snubbers and need some guidance. How big should a snubber be? I am nervous about this heavy boat hanging on a little rope versus the beefy anchor chain. My boat is 44 feet and roughly 34,000 pounds.

Derek Cohen

St. Petersburg, Florida

Dear Derek,

First off, congratulations on the new boat! Good ground tackle is critical, and the snubber plays an important role. Your chain is strong but also inelastic, and it is attached to an equally inelastic windlass. When anchored in any wind or sea state, tremendous loads (and shock loads) can be transmitted to your boat via the anchor chain. These loads can make the ride uncomfortable and put your boat at risk. Sustained loading on your windlass can cause it to wear prematurely or even dramatically fail.

The humble snubber helps tremendously, the elasticity of the rope absorbs and softens the load. The snubber attaches with a chain hook, is tensioned to take the load, allowing your chain to slack above it. If the snubber were to fail, the chain would still be there, it would take up the load, and your boat would stay put.

I recommend a ¾-inch three-strand nylon snubber for your boat, roughly 20 feet long. This rope is strong enough to handle the load, yet elastic enough to stretch in the puffs and swell.

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