Anchor release problem

lanerboy

lanerboy

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Went out for the first time this week in my boat and when in Lulworth cove I went to drop the anchor but it would not drop, all the chain is free and nothing seems to be holding it but it will not drop on its own, if I give it the slightest of pushes it releases no problem I have tried it a few times since and still the same

This is a bit annoying when on the flybridge and wanting to drop the anchor I don't want to have to go down on the bow each time to give it a helping hand, its the standard anchor that came with the boat can anyone throw any light on this situation

cheers
 
it's jamming in yer hawse hole. :)


Pulled in too tightly by the winch ? Possibly with some twist in the chain as well: do you have a swivel ?

How do you secure the anchor when travelling ? Is there an anchor stopper or clamp ? Perhaps the answer is to stop lifting a foot or so before the stock jams, lift by manual operation of the windlass (if possible) then stopper it.

A pic might prove useful.
 
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Possibly getting nipped in the roller - remove the roller and have a new made or turn out the base groove a few mm wider.

There is an Ebay seller who turns them to order for about £15-20.
 
probably a red herring but is the anchor a delta type anchor - these self launch readily on the flat fairline bow set up. If someone has replaced it at some point with a bruce or claw type they have straight shanks and do need a push.
 
not sure what type of anchor it is its the standard anchor which came with the boat from factory

here is a picture not the best but the only one I have with the anchor in it

P1110651_zps0807c2ad.jpg
 
thats a delta style anchor and I would expect it to just drop - probably need to have a look at other fairline 40/43s to see if there is some small difference in design/parts.
 
I need to have a look at the roller as superheat suggests next time I am down, I think there must be something wrong there and may be its not as free as it should be there for not rolling freely allowing the anchor to drop ???????????
 
superheat6k said:
Possibly getting nipped in the roller - remove the roller and have a new made or turn out the base groove a few mm wider.

There is an Ebay seller who turns them to order for about £15-20.
Click to expand...

As you say, I suspect it's getting pinched in the nylon roller - having been tight against the roller all winter it will probably loosen up after a few uses. FWIW - I try to never leave the anchor mechanism tightly locked; the pulling power of these windlasses is unbelievable, on your boat possibly around 1.5 tonnes! Once the anchor's up I go to the bow, attach the anchor safety cable and then just touch the 'out' anchor button for a split second to release the pressure. The main reason I do this is so that the windlass gears aren't left under pressure but this might also help solve your problem.
 
lanerboy said:
not sure what type of anchor it is its the standard anchor which came with the boat from factory

here is a picture not the best but the only one I have with the anchor in it

P1110651_zps0807c2ad.jpg
Click to expand...

Doubt it will drop from that position as it is snugged up against the roller and as soon as you let some chain out the chain drops and there is not enough weight at the outboard end of the anchor for it to drop. Suggest you do what I do and that is let out a bit of chain and push the anchor forward to its tipping point before you get to your anchoring spot. Then it will drop OK. Best practice to drop your anchor from the foredeck where you can see what is happening and have control over the process.
 
I remove the secure pin and let go about a few inches of chain on my approach to an anchorage and then push the anchor forward manually so the anchor is still on the roller but has definitely "toppled" forward. I then know it will drop when I activate the winch from the helm position. I had to do this on both my mobos. +1 BTW for never having the chain winched in tight always put the pin back in, take up most of the slack and release a tiny bit so the chain is slack but isn't rubbing on the deck - takes a light touch on the winch switch
 
lanerboy said:
I need to have a look at the roller as superheat suggests next time I am down, I think there must be something wrong there and may be its not as free as it should be there for not rolling freely allowing the anchor to drop ???????????
Click to expand...

Shawn ' you are on the right track -it's the roller that's jammed or stiff on its axel .
I had the same prob .
Fix is unbolt it -from memory 2 x 17 mm spanners .
Then either lubricate the roller inside -may work ,but on mine somehow ( not sure how ?) the nylon roller seemed to have expanded and tightened its self on the axel.
So I ended up wrapping some sandpaper arround a suitable tool and rubbing / filing out the inside of the nylon roller .

Do this out of public view -cos if you hold the roller in your lap with one hand and rub up / down vigorously with the other hand - from a distance it looks like you are doing somthing obscene in public ;)

Needs to run freely for anchor to drop off on its own .
 
Ah figured it
As mentioned above the pull on the anchor winch ( 1-1/2 tons or whatever ) is strong enough to "distort " the hole in the roller - over time if left on tension - hence it stiffens up and jams .
Prevention as mentioned above is to fit the stopper and ease tension on the chain / winch
 
Mine wont self launch you need to kick it off while approaching the anchorage.

I don't like Mrs and kids doing this so I do it in advance either kick it till its hanging from the bow roller or hanging at 45 degrees so the only way is down so it cant touch hull while swinging.
 
MedMilo said:
As you say, I suspect it's getting pinched in the nylon roller - having been tight against the roller all winter it will probably loosen up after a few uses. FWIW - I try to never leave the anchor mechanism tightly locked; the pulling power of these windlasses is unbelievable, on your boat possibly around 1.5 tonnes! Once the anchor's up I go to the bow, attach the anchor safety cable and then just touch the 'out' anchor button for a split second to release the pressure. The main reason I do this is so that the windlass gears aren't left under pressure but this might also help solve your problem.
Click to expand...

Hi Miles,

Whats this I hear about a new boat on order.:encouragement:

Doug
 
no way will that hook fall free. the bow is high, one way you could try is a solid bar to give the hook a push, failing that you will have to get down out of the crows nest and get your hands dirty. LOL This ones the same

AugustRefit020.jpg
 
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I suspect the roller just needs greasing. The pin on which the roller spins is likely a bit of M12 studding, which is a bit of a shortcut tbh, and leads to a bit more friction than a proper bushing

The fact you are asking the question suggests you are motoring in the boat without the anchor clip attached. Are you? You are cruising for a bruising if you are! :D
 
jfm said:
I suspect the roller just needs greasing. The pin on which the roller spins is likely a bit of M12 studding, which is a bit of a shortcut tbh, and leads to a bit more friction than a proper bushing

The fact you are asking the question suggests you are motoring in the boat without the anchor clip attached. Are you? You are cruising for a bruising if you are! :D
Click to expand...

Hi John

I do have the clip attached and I remove this before dropping anchor, it is a piece of wire with a spring type D release clip. I asked the question due to me moving a small distance 100yds in Lulworth as another boat came a bit too close for my liking when we had the whole cove to ourselves.

Its just that my old boat always dropped the anchor no problem so I thought something must be wrong when it needed a shove, I will check all suggestions when I am down next time

Cheers Shawn
 
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