Here is an early report from Grenada. I don't know these people myself but
am thankful they are OK.

Hi guys -

Well God has been good to us again. Hurricane Ivan went directly over where
we are and we are still here to talk about it. Many boats sunk many are
blown ashore and some are crushed. Winds were clocked at 150 or better and
hurricane force winds lasted at least 4-5 hours. 50-60 MPH winds for 12
hours after wards. So here's the big question where were we?

On the boat of coarse. We put out three anchors and did not tie up to the
mangrove trees, because we thought it best to swing with the wind as it
changed directions. The boats in the trees (which were most of them) got
tore up pretty bad plus when a boat drug down on them they had no where to
go.

We did have a boat drag down on us ( we stayed firm on our anchors till then
) It was healed clear over and it's mast rode down our backstay, took out
most of our stanchions on our starboard side, Took out three solar panels,
ripped our dingy apart, scratched the boat up and pulled up our two main
anchors each all chain.

We had a fortress on mostly line that ended up holding us. Art had to get
on the helm and motor into the wind till the anchor caught. Not a fun time
for him with the wind blowing 100 mph.

We were in a A1 hurricane hole and 30 out of 50 boats either piled up on
each other or got pushed up on land and two were sunk. Many had holes in
the sides of there boats. The bay we were in before we came to the
hurricane hole ( Prickly Bay) was completely wiped out - not a boat
floating.

Granada is devastated not many buildings ( houses or business) undamaged or
left standing. No phones, no electricity, no cell phone towers the roads
for the most part are unpassable. We heard there are 22 deaths reported so
far but none of them are cruiser that we know of. The houses around us
mostly don't have roofs left.

We feel very fortunate and thank God for our safety. The rides at
Disneyland don't hold a light to being on a sailboat in a category 3 -4
hurricane. If we had to do it again we still would stay with the boat. we
feel that because we were there that our anchors got to reset or we would of
been on the banks with everyone else. The people that went ashore to
Hotels had their big glass doors blown out and watched the roofs blow off
over their heads. This was not just one building but all of them.

For Magic Dragon we talked to some one at St David's that said they thought
your boat was still standing but 30 percent of the boats were knocked over,
the restaurant and IWW is gone there too.. Spice Island Boatyard only had 2
big catamarans left standing.

We didn't sleep much last night because the wind continued to blow all night
after the hurricane with 40- 50 knot gust. So we are tired and going to
bed.

God bless!
Art and PJ

just me wrote:
Geoff: I tried to respond directly to you, but the message was kicked back.
I have an email from someone who was there during Ivan's 14 hour pass that I
can send you.
It's pretty bad. Many, many boats lost

We had a fortress on mostly line that ended up holding us.

Gee, a couple of self proclaimed "experts" were knocking Fortress anchors on
here just a few weeks ago.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

I assume you're talking about me because I was a bit critical of your use for an
FX11 as a primary anchor on a 30 foot boat. However, your comprehension seems
faulty, since I said:

"But the issue is not how well the larger Fortress's performs in straight line
tests. They do damn well most of the time, especially for its weight. That's
why I've carried one for a dozen years and recommend them."

and:

"Secondly, although the Fortress has many virtues, resetting on wind or current
changes is not one of them. This is especially true for the small sizes - I
went from a FX16 to a FX23 because of this problem."

The major flaw of the Fortress is resetting on wind shifts, which is not a big
problem when three anchors are set for a storm. Also, I doubt the anchor this
person is talking about is an FX11 (which weighs 7 pounds); a lot of cruisers
use the huge FX85 as a storm anchor, and that's what I would carry if I cruised
the Caribbean in hurricane season.

The Danforth style anchors are great for storm anchors and multiple anchor
setups. I carry a Fortress as a secondary, and a Danforth as a third backup.
A friend of mine is fond of pointing to his small Danforth on the stern and
saying, "That's the anchor that held us during the 'Storm of the Century.'"

But this still doesn't mean that a 7 pound Fortress is appropriate as the only
anchor for a 30 foot cruiser.


"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message
...
We had a fortress on mostly line that ended up holding us.

Gee, a couple of self proclaimed "experts" were knocking Fortress anchors on
here just a few weeks ago.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

But this still doesn't mean that a 7 pound Fortress is appropriate as the only
anchor for a 30 foot cruiser.


It sure as hell isn't, then again Loco isn't appropraite for being at the helm
of a 30 foot boat either.
The Fortress is a good anchor. My buddy uses one now on his J29, but it's
bigger than Loco's. Of course my buddy has been sailing boats for 25 years and
knows how to choose the right sized anchor.

RB

Loco uses a 7 pound Fortress as primary anchor on a 30 footer!!!????

Bwahahahahahahahaaa!!!

What a Complete IDIOT!!!

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| But this still doesn't mean that a 7 pound Fortress is appropriate as the
only
| anchor for a 30 foot cruiser.
|
|
| It sure as hell isn't, then again Loco isn't appropraite for being at the
helm
| of a 30 foot boat either.
| The Fortress is a good anchor. My buddy uses one now on his J29, but it's
| bigger than Loco's. Of course my buddy has been sailing boats for 25 years
and
| knows how to choose the right sized anchor.
|
| RB

What a Complete IDIOT!!!


He's the...Total idiot, idiot deluxe, top idiot, super idiot...
He's just really stupid.

RB

He just agreed his boat was a pig!

CM

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
| What a Complete IDIOT!!!
|
|
| He's the...Total idiot, idiot deluxe, top idiot, super idiot...
| He's just really stupid.
|
| RB

Bwahahahahahahahaaa!!!
What a Complete IDIOT!!!.

If I owned your tank I'd be using a bigger anchor.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"Trains are a winter sport"

If I owned your tank I'd be using a bigger anchor.


You also might actually sail somewhere. And then you'd just get an extra pound
or two. Yeah, that oughta do it, right Loco?

Bwahahahaha!

RB

"SAIL LOCO" wrote in message

| If I owned your tank I'd be using a bigger anchor.

TANK? Tank you say... I don't think so... compared to your delapitated
shuttle craft my vessel is a Battle Cruiser!!

Capt.Mooron