Anchor

[ccscott49]

Remember me going on about having a totally useless (for the med) halls pattern anchor and pluoghing up half of the ballearics with it? Well I bought a new one, a 50kilo FOB, so when on the hard, I lowered all the chain down to mark it and had to cut off the shackle of the old anchor. Well believe it or not somebody has knicked the old anchor, all 60 kilos of it and left the new one, do they know something I don't? Answers on the back of a postcard please!! I dont know whether to laugh or not, I dont know what I was going to do with it anyway, I already have four anchors, it would have been five. I hope they drag onto the beach!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[c_j]

Whilst on the subject, my anchor chain is not marked. I plan to mark it but the only thing that is stopping me is wether to mark metres or fathoms. Metres would be simple with the depth guage but my former boat had it marked in fathoms and we just used two to the metre. It also seems more traditional. What would the panel do?

<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
chris@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[hlb]

Mines marked every two metres. But we always forget to count!!

<hr width=100% size=1>

Haydn

 

[duncan]

forget marking it -
establish the time the windlass takes to let out each 5 mtr and put that number next to the switch (or on it with indelible pen)
metres because that what the chart is in - unless you are using fathom ones that you have been religiously updating by hand for some time!
also your echo sounder/fishfinder should be displaying in metres too for the same reason

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ccscott49]

I made a little counter, out of a microswitch and a ready made LCD counter from maplins. The switch counts revs of the windlass capstan, (little screw head) which is 1 foot of chain. I just calculate in my head the amount in meters, just using three feet to a meter. that does for me, but I marked the chain in five meter divisions, no fancy stuff, just red paint for over a meter. When I pull it back up, I remember how much it says on the counter and zero it, (it's a simple counter, just counts) slowing down at five feet and edging it up until it locks in the hawse, simple, all this is done from the wheelhouse, including anchor wash.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Alistairr]

Why do you need to mark the chain? Surely the depth gauge tell you the depth?



<hr width=100% size=1>"INDIANA Has Been Born"
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[ccscott49]

I want to know how much chain I have out, the depth gauge shows me the water depth, you need to put more chain than that out, well I do anyway! Strange question?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

excellent example of something that works and makes a difference.......all this 'mark the anchor chain' stuff is for non electric windlass boats

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[hylas]

I fully agree with you.. the "Hall" anchor is totally useless except if you have a very heavy one.. (like a Cargo boat!) during the last published tests done in France by the magasine "voiles & voiliers" the results of the FOB have been very disapointing.. about only half of the holding of the "new generation" anchors.. with a sudden break out and no more digging in again.. (not very safe feature!!..)

The main advantage of the "Hall" anchor is to put on your back yard.. on the grass.. Looks nice indeed!!! :0)..

"Why do you need to mark the chain? Surely the depth gauge tell you the depth?"

Very funny to realise that some "sailors" have a real deep knowledge and seamanship.. I think I will be more carefull in my next anchorage.. No, the purpose of the chain is not to measure the water height.. and as you will need to have your mooring line lenght around five time the water height, you MUST use a way to measure it.. and the easiest is to mark it..


Up to my knowledge.. the "best" way to mark the chain is called the "rainbow" marks.. which are manufactured by: www.osculati.it an excellent example of something that works and makes a difference..


<hr width=100% size=1>