Anchor windlass - newby type question!

[BruceK]

I'm pretty sure there is a (for want of a better word) diseconomy of scale to the Alderney Ring Method. I am pretty sure that without a significant samson post any cleat on a 40ft mobo plus will simply rip out if you go charging off at 14knts plus trying to drag your ground tackle up. The size of the buoy would have to be so large as well as to be totally impracticable.

 

[djefabs]

Hi D
Does that technique work with chain.
We used to use that technique (didn't know it was called that) on a certain reservoir that you know.
Yes, it certainly works.
We were doing it with 4.3m RIBS and raising ground tackle up 80 feet.
The rode was mainly rope though - but there was about 10 feet of chain and an anchor at the other end.
From memory, we had a stainless steel hoop with a carabiner to stop it coming off the rope.

Hi M
I have used this method with Rope & Chain as well as all chain. When hauling all chain you need a large ball fender. I used to make the Alderney ring (split type) at about 200/250mm Dia and had very few problems.
Useful YouTube page here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7v8uiDWFnE

 

[petem]

Looking at the Windlass Airon manual, you should be able to raise the raise the anchor using the handle.....

Insert the emergency handle in the clutch nut or gipsy cap. Turn clockwise , overcoming a strength due to the spring (301). As there is no ratio , please keep in mind in case of deep anchoring the stress will be hard.

Looking at the exploded parts illustration, I wonder if removing the inner cone clutch would make it easy to raise the anchor using the handle?

 

[Mike k]

I raised an anchor by hand when the woodruff key departed the windlass after a days fishing in Liverpool Rock Channel. The bow was rising and lowering and I was on the tip of the bow in the swell ( quite dangerous too) and the energy required was completely exhausting , so much so I had to stop and rest. I think part of the problem was because I was using both hands I couldn't signal to my mate to move the boat forwards so was dragging chain and boat- it was horrible/ I keep bolt croppers on board now

 

[maverickofpoole]

Using our boat largely for fishing we regularly anchor in over 80' up to 140' of water. I have a windlass which would take an age to lift our ground tackle back in so we use the Alderney ring method regularly. You do not need to be doing great speeds to retrieve your gear using this method 5-8 knots is more than enough speed in fact much faster and it could be dangerous if your gear is snagged in. Our rode is 40' chain with 220' rope attached, we raise this using the alderney ring/buoy method easily. The problem you may encounter with all chain is the size of buoy needed to give enough buoyancy to support anchor and chain. The other thing to consider with all chain is you will only be halving the weight of your chain as it is suspended beneath the buoy so it would still be hard work to retrieve but in shallow depths it would be doable. Another thing to consider would be chain running alongside your gelcoat, not a problem with rope but could be with all chain.