Anchoring(Have'nt Got a Clue)

[Tugw]

Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

This is the layout i have and im sure its very familiar.However i have nevr used the hook and would like some instruction on how to do so.(always managed to find something to tie-up to).Once the thing is dropped in the water,say 5mtr depth.i still will have 25mtr chain.so how would you secure the thing to the bollards? what do the regular"at anchor"types suggest(apart from staying at home) Thanks for any info

web page

 

[rickp]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

First thing is getting enough chain out. With all chain, you want at least 3 times the depth that you'll see at high water, and possibly as much as 5 times depth. So if you anchor at low tide with 1m under the boat, and the tide rise that day is 4m, treat it as 5metres of depth and put out 15metres of chain. Of course, if its crowded where you anchor, you may want to use less scope and then put a bit more out for overnight once the crowds have departed.

We usually lower the anchor to the sea bed, then back away letting more out until we're almost at the scope we want. Then let the chain come up tight whilst still in gentle astern to dig in the anchor.

Last step we do is to take the load off the clutch in the winch by attaching a chain hook to the chain and bringing that back to a cleat to take the load. Like this:

(though in the above, I would normally let out a bit more chain so it was completely slack between the chain hook and the anchor platform).

Cheers,
Rick

 

[Chris_d]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

Not sure what that thing hanging over the front is, but I might be tempted to swap it for a anchor first. Sorry that sounds a bit sarcastic, but it does look like something noah would be familiar with /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gjgm]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

the guide is 4* chain and 6 * chain/warp I believe. Right, so how are you to measure that? Try a search as there have been a few ideas.
I d suggest those figures are good guidelines, but in a quiet cove while having lunch perhaps you dont really need that, and caught in a storm maybe you would let out more.
Main technique is to ensure the chain doesnt just pile up on top of the anchor, and to assist the anchor on digging in. Usually both of those are resolved by a gentle going astern as you feed out. Then, using eyeball mk1, take a check you are not drifting (as opposed to swinging) before switching of the engines.
If it doesnt set, pull it up and try again. While mobos generally lie in a similar way to the wind, sailing boats differ, so give a thought to wind changes before plonking yourself too close!

 

[Tugw]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

Dead Easy really then?(in theory at least)Thanks for the info,i must admit it was that sort of thing i had in mind but wasnt sure if there was some sort of secret involved.Look forward to trying it now /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (how did you get the pic direct on the forum page?.another of lifes mysteries /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif)

 

[Tugw]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

"Not sure what that thing hanging over the front is, but I might be tempted to swap it for a anchor first. Sorry that sounds a bit sarcastic, but it does look like something noah would be familiar with "

Probably the last time it was used,If i get the hang of it i could be convinced to get a new one,but as it has NEVER been used(by me at least)itll do to practice with(no problem if it goes missing /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif)

 

[DAKA]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

I have marked my chain every 5 m with green small cable ties in batches of 5 so it doesn't matter if one or two drop off.

I have used green and red at 30m

Purple indicate both end warnings so I know when the anchor is nearly up and clear of the water.

1

note which way other boats have swung, and go past where you want to be so you drift back.

2

let out chain until anchor should be on the bottom, now go astern slowly to payout 4x max depth of day or next day.

(if you go astern before the anchor touches a plough type will turn back wards and deploy upside down, it could then take 250 m to get it to set)

3
once chain is down get crew sat down and go astern 2 knts and power off, the chain should snatch which means the anchor is set.

4
use a rubber damper and tie it to your chain and back to your deck cleat as per Ricks photo but you can use one of your central deck cleats.

5
hoist black ball


if only a short stay 4+5 can be substituted for a webbing threaded through the chain link and placed over your windlass to stop the chain paying out while you are not there.


The end of the chain should be rope so you can cut it and ideally you should change that Stainless steel shackle for galvanised steel, stainless can easily snatch loose and in extreme holding can snap as stainless is more brittle than steel.

(your link has crashed my w98 system twice)

 

[Tugw]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

When you say chain and warp i take it thats when youre over your available chain length.is that right?

 

[Richard10002]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

[ QUOTE ]
We usually lower the anchor to the sea bed, then back away letting more out until we're almost at the scope we want. Then let the chain come up tight whilst still in gentle astern to dig in the anchor.

Last step we do is to take the load off the clutch in the winch by attaching a chain hook to the chain and bringing that back to a cleat to take the load.

[/ QUOTE ]

With our plough, now I find a spot which is a sandy or muddy bottom, if possible, look at how other boats are lying, and make sure I will end up far enough away from them, and out of their swinging circle, (if possible). Then, single handed, or with novice crew, I stop the boat ahead of where I think the anchor will end up, and drop 3 or 4 times the current depth, (water depth plus distance from water to bow roller). The boat generally drifts to lay the chain but, if it doesnt, I tend not to worry and let it drop in a pile. I then casually stand back and allow the boat to drift back on the chain until it stops... which it usually does with a little bit of a jerk, which is the first step of digging the anchor in.

If it is so windless and currentless, I'll engage slow astern for a few seconds to get things going.

Once we've stopped, I'll wait for a while, (15 minutes or so), to give the wind, current, waves, a chance to wiggle the anchor about and get it oriented for digging in. I might even snorkel over it to see how it looks in terms of digging in when I engage astern. (If there isnt much room for dragging before setting, I always snorkel over it and, in Vulcano, I even got Janet to do the astern stuff whilst I was in the water watching it dig in, rather than dragging over a ledge into 30m/50m!)

When I'm happy, I engage slow astern and nip to the front to make sure it isnt dragging. Then I'll increase the revs in stages, (1000, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2000), each time checking that the chain is taught and not dragging. At 2000 revs, there is quite a commotion as the wash kicks the staionary boat around a bit - this is good. At the same time, I've picked a couple of beam transits at the wheel and bow so I can check that we arent moving astern once the chain is taught.

If we dont move at 2000 revs, (or even 1800), I'm happy and gradually decreased the revs to neutral.

Even now I will usually snorkel over the anchor to make sure it's set.

Usually find it's dragged several feet before setting.

Raise the anchor ball, and remind myself to sort out one of those chain hook things.

Either immediately, or over the course of the tide, I'll increase the chain to accommodate high tide, (but not an issue in The Med.)

If I'm overnighting, I usually do the astern to 2000 revs early evening to make sure we are still dug in - keeps things in my control. Put the anchor light on.

Once you've done it a few times, it becomes less scary and more interesting and exciting.

 

[DAKA]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

If you are chain only, the chain should be fastened to the boat with rope even 1 foot will do.

If the anchor gets stuck and you need to be away quick you can cut the rope and let the chain go.

If you use a shackle the chances are it will corrode and seize up, a skipper tasked me to hack saw a chain free once and after 15 mins few marks were made on the chain.

 

[rickp]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

I suspect the difference between your 2000 revs and my "gentle astern" is not that much. 2000revs for me is about 300hp /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I think for most motorboats, tickover in astern is all thats required. As long as the chains stops the boat going backwards and the bow dips, thats all thats required.

Another couple of points I forgot (along with the anchor ball/light) - I jot down a few bearings so I can tell if we're dragging. Handy to take bearings of something thats lit at night if you are overnighting. I also stick on the anchor drag alarm on the plotter, just in case. Usually with a diameter of 0.02nm. It sometimes sounds when the tide turns, but I do tend to have a quick peek around as the tide turns just to make sure we're all okay still.

Rick

 

[jimg]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

Like this!

 

[rickp]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

If I do swim from the boat, I'm always intrigued to see how the anchor is lying. This photo was taken in swanage in about 3 metres of water. Its sandy, but despite that, we've never dragged there even though it looks like the anchor isn't doing anything:

Rick

 

[Richard10002]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

"If i get the hang of it i could be convinced to get a new one"

If it works and digs in, it doesnt really matter how old it is.

However, if you do decide to get a new anchor, I would include Spade and Rocna in your list of choices ... I'm going to buy one or the other when I get to Malta

This is the site which convinced me more than anything else:

http://www.morganscloud.com/rants_and_musings/ramanchoring.htm

 

[Richard10002]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

Agree re the power, my 2000revs is probably about 40hp. Nevertheless, when I swim over the anchor, it is always buried such that I can either see the top of the shank only, or just the chain.... except that, on occasion it has been on its' side, so only the bottom half is dug in - if I was expecting weather, I'd reset it.

 

[Dave_Seager]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

One small point that no-one else seems to have mentioned yet. You can usually tell if the anchor is dragging because the chain will vibrate. You can check by feeling the chain between the bow and the surface of the water or you may hear a rumbling when in inside the boat.

 

[DAKA]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

[ QUOTE ]
If I do swim from the boat, I'm always intrigued to see how the anchor is lying. This photo was taken in swanage in about 3 metres of water. Its sandy, but despite that, we've never dragged there even though it looks like the anchor isn't doing anything:

Rick

[/ QUOTE ]

You have me intrigued now Rick, in the morning is there a circular track dug as the tide has turned ?

I know the sea weed is cleared for 20 m circle but your photo shows a little track as the anchor has set.

 

[rickp]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

That photo was taken shortly after we anchored, so the track was as we pulled back on the anchor. As to whether the anchor turns with the change of tide - I've not really noticed to be honest. I suspect that in places like Swanage (not much tide and we usually only anchor there in calm conditions) then I suspect the anchor doesn't move and its just the chain holding us.

I'll try and get 'before' and 'after' photos sometime.

Rick

 

[Salty John]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

There's some information on anchoring here that should give you the basics.

http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/cruisingresources.htm

 

[Tugw]

Re: Anchoring(Have\'nt Got a Clue)

TELL ME THE SECRET JIMG