Anchor over the bows..??

[Mike_02]

Is having your anchor over your bows dangerous or not....i think it is...!

Last week i saw not one but 2 french yachts (i'm not pointing the finger..it was just their bad luck) with anchors over the bow trying to turn around in St peter port...they both caused lots of damage to other boats.

I feel very strongly about this as i believe that an anchor over the bow when in a confined space is very very dangerous.

My own anchor is on chocks on the fore deck with the chain attached. I have 3 quick release bungees and the thing is over the bow in abour 10 secs.

I know the standard response is to say that having it over the bow makes sure that it is always ready...well mine is....!

I recall some time ago that Pat Manley wrote an article about this and he was in favour of anchors over the bow...what say you all..???

 

[ponapay]

That's like saying wing mirrors on cars are dangerous because they protrude. Most drivers know how to handle their cars, so should yachtsmen.

If the harbour is crowded that just means taking more care, using warps, fenders and brain a bit more than many seem to do.

ponapay

 

[jamesjermain]

Personally I don't like it. I keep mine secured in the anchor well despite difficulties getting it on to the stemhead.

I don't like all that weight outboard of the stem. I hate them when the boat is moored bows to a pontoon and they do act as a battering ram when things go awry during 'parking'.

On the otherhand, many modern designs are designed to have the anchor permanently on the stemhead and it cannot be removed. Also, as in the case of my boat, a retro fitted roller reefing gear can obstruct the bow roller making it very difficult to ship the anchor in a hurry.

JJ

 

[ccscott49]

Try manhandling a 70lb CQR over the bows, in any weather. I also agree with the other post, if they can't handle a boat, don't blame the anchor instalation.

"My case rests your honour!"

 

[Mirelle]

Spot the marina based boat!

If your boat lives on a mooring you need the bow roller for more mundane purposes - the buoy rope!

I dislike having it over the bow - I did have it this way for a few years but have gone back to chocks on the foredeck.

Splice a fathom of rope into the ring on the back of a CQR, as the inventor recommended. when the anchor is under the bow, fish for the rope with a boathook and pick it up and swing it inboard with that. Makes the brute far better mannered.

 

[Mike_02]

If this is true then why do racing rules rquire anchors to be removed from bow rollers...???

But i do agree with the use of more brain..but how many really do.....!!!

 

[kingfisher]

Over the bow, NOT over the pontoon.

When I come back from the pub, I expect a headache in the morning, not on the night itself. But low and behold, some inconsidered boater will have moored his boat to deep in the berth, and his anchor will hang over half the pontoon, right at forehead height. Easy to spot by day, more difficult at night.

So: anchor of the bow in port, plz ?

Obi-Wan
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[andrewhopkins]

racing regulations

I think the fundemental thing is that it should be ready to deploy in case the engine goes and there is no wind and you are heading towards something dangerous.

On your boat it sounds like you have it sorted but on my bavaria, if it wasnt on the bow roller it can take quite a time to deploy it.

Under racing bylaws you often have to remove it as they think it is dangerous, however, I think that the two sharp 'blades' of the bow roller would cause far more damage to a boat or person.

I also think it is unseamanlike not to be ready. When racing in southampton water, i wouldnt want to be drifting in the shipping lane!

However, rules are rules and one has to obey them or risk being disqualified.

 

[Mike_02]

Re: Over the bow, NOT over the pontoon.

I agree....have you been to cherbourg....it's a nightmare trying to avoid the sharp bits on the way down the pontoon.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Spot the marina based boat!

Unless of course you have twin or in my case triple rollers. Not withstanding the fact that I have mine on deck, but they are sp[ares, my bower is in a hawse. But I still think it's the man/woman on the helm, not the position of the anchor and I repeat, try it with a big anchor! Also just as an aside, does this mean bowsprits are also dangerous??

 

[Mike_02]

Re: racing regulations

I have yet to see a single yacht fore deck that could not have the setup i have. All yachst have some area of flat fore deck and this is all that is needed...ok you will have to drill a few holes to fit the chocks..but for me it's worth it....what happens at sea if you need to remove you anchor from the bow roller and use the roller for something else....i am ok with moving my anchor from the deck to the roller but the other way around is not much fun....but at least i know if i ever need a tow or anythign at sea i'm ready.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Over the bow, NOT over the pontoon.

So thats the anchor stowage problem is it? Nothing to do with the boat badly positioned, a little consideration would stop that. If people would do things in a considerate, seamanlike manner I still don't see the problem. IMHO

 

[Mike_02]

Re: Spot the marina based boat!

Yes it does mean that bowsprits are dangerous..this is why most are raise or retracted in close quarters.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Spot the marina based boat!

Most? I don't think so Mike.

Also Mike you ask us as a forum a question, for an opinion, when we or some of us disagree with you, please accept that, I can see your point, but just because some people cannot handle their boats, doesn't mean the system of anchor stowage is wrong, or does it? Bowsprits can be difficult to handle, but if you know it's there, you make allowances for it. The vast majority of bowsprits do not stow, or retract easily. They can be removed with a lot of effort. Think also of clipper bows, are they also dangerous, anchors in hawse or side hawse. I maintain, you learn where your ovehangs are and allow for them in your manouvers. of course this is just my humble opinion. FWIW

 

[andy_wilson]

Over the stern, NOT over the pontoon.

I think dinghies on davits are the worse offenders, and we all know who reverses in don't we?

A couple of weekends ago the first boat at the bottom of the ramp onto the pontoons at DartHaven was almost three feet over the main walkway. Still at least they could step off the bathing platform, so that was OK then!

 

[tcm]

Re: How big is this boat/anchor/ bowsprit?

Umm, if the anchor that can be "secured with a few bungees" and the bowsprit that can be "usually raised or retracted" - they sound quite small. I suppose also that hitting another boat with anchor out isn't very much worse/better/different from hitting it with the anchor in. Is it?

 

[LadyInBed]

I thought you should keep your anchor hung over the bow to protect your nav lights from being bashed in!

 

[Guest]

No way should the anchor be left over the bow. It is like a giant tin-opener just waiting to do someone damage. It is banned in racing and for good reason. It is pure laziness just to winch it into the bow roller and leave it there. Sort yourselves out and behave in a seamanlike fashion...

 

[Oldhand]

Ban them, anchors should be through the bows like on ships.

 

[charles_reed]

Having read most of the posts I have the feeling that the general consensus is against anchors in bow rollers.

However you're all being unbelievably parochial - I can tell you, when moored bows on (as in the Med) it is an essential step-up from the pontoon.