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Dropping Anchor in a Lightning Storm⚡ | Sailing Sunday VLOG 291
27 July 2025 · 18 min · 11K views
What this video covers
The crew of the sailboat Sunday navigates from Hopetown to Marsh Harbor in the Abacos, Bahamas, while managing a rapidly approaching tropical squall. Sailing close-hauled in 7–8 knots of wind, the vessel maintains 5–5.5 knots of speed with a 6.5-foot keel. As a cold front and storm line close in, the crew experiences a sudden temperature drop and wind speeds reaching approximately 30 knots. They execute an emergency anchoring maneuver in Marsh Harbor, dropping the anchor immediately upon arrival to secure the boat against the incoming squall. The crew utilizes an electric winch to manage sail handling during the transit and employs a snubber once the anchor is set. The Abacos region offers protected, shallow waters, though post-Hurricane Dorian debris remains a navigation hazard. Tropical squalls in this area can intensify quickly, necessitating prompt reefing and anchoring decisions to ensure safety.
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