ric wrote:
never never never never never anchor in a big storm!!! That's how boats capsize and people die. Always motor at a 45* angle to the waves. They teach you this in boating 101 safety course. Anchoring is only last resort if your engine dies, and at that point you should be already on the horn with the coast guard or activated your EPIRB, life vests on and nobody inside just in case you get rolled.
Well you are wrong, I don't know what school you went to. That may apply in 50plus depth, not sure on that one. In fact, as Sea Tow pulled our friend's of the rocks, the U.S.C.G. was there. They said nothing to us, since things were as good as they could get. We were in 11 feet of water off an island. I was not going out in deeper water as you suggest, motoring in a storm. For what, a longer swim in if it came to that. PLUS, IF YOU WERE TO MOTOR 45 TO THE WAVES. You have a better chance of capsizing. Now you are BROAD side to the wind & and the waves, with the wind and more so the WAVES pushing you side ways to roll you over. NO, INTO the wind!! This is also called "Heaving To" I am not saying this to be harsh, I just don't want anyone to think, "That is what you do, 45 into the waves & wind." NO! Thats more for sail boats.