Anchor Retrieval

[BarryH]

While out on my own I use a lazy line on the anchor warp so I don't have to leave the cockpit. Basically I take the line thru the fairlead on the bow and run it along the outside of the cleats along the sidedeck making fast to a cleat at the stern thats within easy reach.
I've been using this method for as long as I can remember. Recently I purchased an Alderny ring, bouy and stopper from Crayside Marine. In theory it "should" make things easier in that I won't have lines running everywhere. So who's used this set up and whats the knack of using it?

 

[hlb]

I use a big electric winch which seems resonablly effective. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gonfishing]

Hi Barry
I have never had the luxury of a windlass so I have used this method of anchor retrievel for years, basically when you are ready to lift anchor instead of pulling on your lazy line and then breaking and pulling up your anchor by hand, You take a deep breath start engines and pull away fairly quickly at a 45° angle from the anchor line, this should then break the anchor from the ground and as you move away the anchor is pulled up under the bouy, you then stop pull in the anchor line very easily as anchor is now floating under the bouy, once bouy is along side just lift aboard and stow in cockpit or whatever depends if you are going to anchor else where, A great little system, However it gets a bit lairy if the anchor is stuck or snagged so a reasonable amount of caution required /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[hlb]

We do have a couple of fishermen folding anchors going cheap if this helps!!

 

[rich]

Please Do not run a anchor warp from the stern in a tidel run, you will swamp your boat.
I did it once without thinking, the water poured over the transom. and I nearly lost my hand on the stern cleat. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BarryH]

If you read the post properly you'll see that I run the anchor warp from the bow. I've more than enough experience to know not to run it from the stern, especially with little freeboard.
I also have a very large very sharp knife to hand if I need to let go in a hurry. It just means I need to go back and retrieve the anchor and warp that is marked by a bouy that I hope I have attatched in my haste to leave

 

[BarryH]

I'm sceptical to say the least. I've worked out how the stopper works and what its for and am wondering if the bouy will be big enough. I did tell'em it was for a 21Kg anchor plus the weight of 12ft of chain. What stops the whole lot just dragging along the sea bed?
I think I'll have to practice with this in "controlled" conditions before I use it in anger.
Is there an optimum distance the stopper has to be set down the anchor line? Whats to stop it all going horribly wrong and getting a niced birdsnest round the prop?
In theory it looks a good idea and must work as I see lots of others using it.

 

[gonfishing]

This is one of the occasions where you have to give it a bit of welly to start off with, that lifts the anchor everything else just follows, you will see the bouy dip as the anchor breaks out then it will float again keep going at an angle away from the bouy until you have travelled about 50 yds or so then just pull the bouy in, I know it's easy for me to say as iv'e used it loads of times when you try it make sure your over clean groung and have plenty of room to play and give it a couple of goes!!
Tis good fun when the Anchor is snagged though!!

Julian

 

[Davy_S]

Barry, i have always used this method of anchor retrievel for fishing, but without a stopper. my alderny ring is always on the anchor warp, when i motor forward to retrieve it, the warp and chain pull through the ring until the anchor hits it. I use a CQR and find that it is through the ring, but, it is the weight of the chain hanging underneath the buoy that holds the anchor on the surface. If there is not enough weight in the chain the anchor will simply slide back down to the seabed,which is what you dont need! good luck,its worth it when set up right.