Anchor Alarm

More like 6-9', and you see Angus, on boats safe to take out in waves there might be things called ' washboards ' in the way...:rolleyes:

I've had enough of your silliness, I'm happy to let everyone else here judge who's trying to be helpful and who is just having a go - and not doing it very well either.
 
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AngusMcDoon said:
Just can't see why having 2 depth sounder is a remotely good idea on an electrical power limited 22' boat, and how it could possibly assist in anchor watching.
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I don't understand it on a 42 footer either - but I don't ever need depth at the chart table. I can't think of any circumstances where that would be useful. Now a depth sounder repeater up at the bow would be wonderful.
 
Never done ' blind pilotage ' then I take it...

Also at anchor or wherever it can be reassuring or just plain passing interest to know the depth when below.

No need to have both on at the same time, but I can if so desired; the signals don't conflict as sounder transducer is forward and fishfinder one aft, both in-hull.

Seeing as a whole separate fishfinder was the same price as a depth repeater it's a no-brainer to get a separate system, I have had various sounders pack up over the years.
 
pathfinder said:
I have an old garmin 128 the built in alarm is not very loud but in the wiring harness there is a option for an external buzzer which I fitted remotely and is quite loud. There is a max current limit but the buzzer is well below that. Maybe that might be an option for you.
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I have also done this, works well and is reliable. Wire the extra alarm buzzer to sit beside your bunk.
 
I think Seajet is referring to the blind pilotage he did on his yacht master exam, when he will have been made to sit below and done it because it was bright and sunny really. I did mine about twenty years ago in Pool harbour, I was lucky I caught sight of a channel buoy through a window so I knew just where I was to start with.
I don't see any mention of using one of the excellent anchor watch app for an IPhone or iPad I sleep with mine next to the pillow this seems to work great for me.
Mike.
 
Pagetslady said:
I think Seajet is referring to the blind pilotage he did on his yacht master exam, when he will have been made to sit below and done it because it was bright and sunny really. I did mine about twenty years ago in Pool harbour, I was lucky I caught sight of a channel buoy through a window so I knew just where I was to start with.
I don't see any mention of using one of the excellent anchor watch app for an IPhone or iPad I sleep with mine next to the pillow this seems to work great for me.
Mike.
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Been Mention #3
 
AngusMcDoon said:
You don't need 2 to do that either.
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Quite - when I've done blind pilotage I've actually been up in the cockpit hoping the actual fog would clear - I'm not planning to set up my boat for YM exams any time soon.

Otherwise no, I can't think of a time when looking at the depth when I'm down below would be needed, although I suppose might sometimes be interesting.
 
RupertW said:
Quite - when I've done blind pilotage I've actually been up in the cockpit hoping the actual fog would clear - I'm not planning to set up my boat for YM exams any time soon.

Otherwise no, I can't think of a time when looking at the depth when I'm down below would be needed, although I suppose might sometimes be interesting.
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I did it with the curtains shut on YM exam, also with curtains open in fog at night for real a couple of times, long before and again long after the YM.

Maybe there's a reason for learning and testing on these things.

And as for app's and GPS, I agree with whoever said it's rare to drag out of position with a constant depth, and the subject of allowing for swinging circles but still knowing how a boat is out of position seems to have been glossed over...
 
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OK, maybe not the most successful thread I've ever started. :)

I'll maybe wait a few weeks and ask the question again.

As I said in the original post, I don't have a smartphone. Buying one just to get an anchor alarm seems a bit overkill. I could probably fit a Garmin display next to my bunk, but that still wouldn't be a cheap solution.

I've also anchored in a fair few places that are flat bottomed, such as Loch Ryan or Carlingford Lough where I'd really like to know the anchor is dragging before I reach the channel and bounce off one of the ferries, so depth is no substitute.

Thanks to those who have tried answering. One idea is to use my old Garmin 128 just for the alarm - it was always good enough, but I'm sure there must be a better solution.
 
lpdsn said:
As I said in the original post, I don't have a smartphone. Buying one just to get an anchor alarm seems a bit overkill.
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It might be the cheapest low power option though. You can get a SIM free (i.e. no contract, you own it) Moto E for under £80 with proper GPS & Glonass receivers built in.

It also has the advantage of no wiring required...charge it during the day & just stick it next to your pillow at night.
 
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lpdsn said:
OK, maybe not the most successful thread I've ever started. :)

I'll maybe wait a few weeks and ask the question again.

As I said in the original post, I don't have a smartphone. Buying one just to get an anchor alarm seems a bit overkill. I could probably fit a Garmin display next to my bunk, but that still wouldn't be a cheap solution.

I've also anchored in a fair few places that are flat bottomed, such as Loch Ryan or Carlingford Lough where I'd really like to know the anchor is dragging before I reach the channel and bounce off one of the ferries, so depth is no substitute.

Thanks to those who have tried answering. One idea is to use my old Garmin 128 just for the alarm - it was always good enough, but I'm sure there must be a better solution.
Click to expand...

I only know Loch Ryan from the shore, but isn't there a tide to cause the boat to swing around thus interfering with a GPS position alert ?

If lying to all chain, you should be able to hear the groud tackle grumbling if dragging, especially if you're in a forepeak berth.

Maybe anchoring technique or the places one does it are more the questions.
 
lpdsn said:
OK, maybe not the most successful thread I've ever started. :)

I'll maybe wait a few weeks and ask the question again.

As I said in the original post, I don't have a smartphone. Buying one just to get an anchor alarm seems a bit overkill. I could probably fit a Garmin display next to my bunk, but that still wouldn't be a cheap solution.

I've also anchored in a fair few places that are flat bottomed, such as Loch Ryan or Carlingford Lough where I'd really like to know the anchor is dragging before I reach the channel and bounce off one of the ferries, so depth is no substitute.

Thanks to those who have tried answering. One idea is to use my old Garmin 128 just for the alarm - it was always good enough, but I'm sure there must be a better solution.
Click to expand...

Try eBay for phones or tablet under 40 pounds and an app around 2 pound so for less then 50 pound you have not only a good anchor alarm but a phone or tablet too , cheaper then and Garmin .
 
Seajet said:
I only know Loch Ryan from the shore, but isn't there a tide to cause the boat to swing around thus interfering with a GPS position alert ?
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A well set GPS anchor alarm should be centred over the anchor. So it will only activate if drag out of your swing circle. Boat movement due to a change in current or wind should not set off the alarm.

On some occasions it can be useful to set the alarm to alert you if you swing in a particular direction as well as drag in any direction. This is possible with most anchor apps and some (but not all) marine GPS units.

In the days before GPS I often set a depth anchor alarm and it is better than nothing, but a well set GPS alarm is far more sensitive for most locations.
 
Gosh, I am truly surprised at the negative reaction to SJ's dual depth sounder idea. I would personally always specify an additional data readout down below and possibly a second MFD which can be split screen into both 'data' and 'chart'. In fact my first step upon anchoring is to hit the anchor-alarm button, which will then sound at both stations and can be edited from either above or below. It is after all a bit of a pain going up on deck in one's boxers on a cold December night to adjust an anchor alarm hidden behind the binnacle :rolleyes:

Aside from that it's always nice to see the Depth AWA/TWA, AWS/TWS, Heading, DTW, etc if one is cooking, reading, or whatever. Perhaps a racing thing, but I really like that connection with the environment outside; it helps me think and stay as involved as I choose. Horses for courses I guess.
 
Seajet said:
I only know Loch Ryan from the shore, but isn't there a tide to cause the boat to swing around thus interfering with a GPS position alert ?
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Virtually none at the anchorage, called The Wig. It's near the top end of a blind loch behind a spit.

Even if there was you can set your GPS warning distance to take any swing into account. This is a Scottish sea loch anchorage in a not particularly popular place to sail anyway. You will almost certainly be there alone. It's not the jam-packed south coast with hundreds of people anchored near each other all bothering the seahorses.
 
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