Brian responded:
....PLAN B.....Have a parachute anchor available that will allow you to hold
to it in deep water while you decide the best course, need a rest, or
experience an engine failure....power or sail boat or combination

Scott shares:  Great advice.  I do have a parachute anchor, as a matter of
fact I have two.  In this situation it would probably have been more
comfortable to slow to 5 knots and cruise all night or circle 10 miles off
shore.  The boat is more comfortable underway than it would be in the ocean
with a parachute anchor (I think?).  Again great advice to have in your bag
of tricks!

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA

From: "Scott E. Bulger" scottebulger@gmail.com

Reflecting on what happened I think there are valuable lessons in this for
everyone. For me they were:

b. Have a plan B and be ready for it.

This fixation on getting in the marina made turning away hard to face.

b. I wasn't mentally prepared to continue south and find an alternative
port, nor did I have good weather information to enable me to have the
confidence to enter into the Gulf of Papagallo.

Brian responded:
....PLAN B.....Have a parachute anchor available that will allow you to hold
to it in deep water while you decide the best course, need a rest, or
experience an engine failure....power or sail boat or combination

Parachute Anchors, Para-Anchor, Sea Anchor
http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10448