Anchoring(Have'nt Got a Clue)

[Nick_H]

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

Sounds easy doesn't it, unfortunately though as you enter a busy anchorage in a bit of a breeze its almost impossible to work out where everyone's anchor is, often the boat will be pointing at 90 degrees to the lie of its anchor, and sailing boats are usually pointing in a different direction to motorboats. You have to watch how the boats swing for a while but its still a bit of a guess.

Invariably at first you will not go upwind/tide enough before dropping anchor, and will find yourself too close to the boat behind when you let out your chain, you may need to be level or even ahead of the boat in front when you drop anchor. Don't be embarrassed to up anchor and try again if you're swinging too close to another boat.

Finally, the 3x min, 5x overnight "rule of thumb" is handy 'cos its simple, but it really is just a rule of thumb. You want a longer multiple if conditions are bad, holding is poor, water is shallow or your ground tackle is a bit light. Conversely you need a lower multiple if conditions are settled, holding is good, the water is deep or you have heavy anchor and chain.

 

[jimg]

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

Post your picture on Photobucket as you have done
Then if you look at the boxes next to the image the bottom one says IMG Code.
Click on that and it copies the code that you need to post an image.
Then just "paste" into the Post box on the forum.

Try it and then preview and you should see the image

 

[Tugw]

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

Your my Hero /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tugw]

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

So now i have a wealth of information and help from the good folks here on anchoring,and now i also know how to post pics,ill look at beefing up the shackles and other bits of the tackle and give it a whiz,I have to admit that the main reason is to save on marina costs during a planned trip so i need to get it as close to right as i can.Thanks again to the forum members for comming up with the goods yet again /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[craigsmith]

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

More reading.

www.petersmith.net.nz/boat-anchors

 

[jfm]

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

There are lots of variations on all this. For an afternoon stop in good holding, nice conditions and no overnight, I wouldn't bother with all that setting mallarkey. Once you have the knack of judging where to drop the hook you can just dump the correct length of chain overboard and switch the engines off, and it will set itself as the boat blows back on the breeze. It's nice for guests, fellow anchorers, the planet, etc to get your engines turned off asap

Also I would never use one of those snubbing lines cos imho it is perfectly ok to leave the load on the winch. Not criticising those who do, just saying that many folks dont and personally I see no need/point in doing it (certainly, it doesn't cause any wear on the winch clutch)

 

[hlb]

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

Could not agree more, For day time anchoring, I,ve never moved, and never bothered to much about setting anchors.

Main thing is, having plenty of chain and not be afraid of maybe using more, rather thanless than you need. I mark mine off, every ten metres in red paint. One mark for 10, two for 20 and so on. If yo've got a winch, dont bother with rope, it's a pain in the arse.

 

[Tugw]

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

So are you saying it OK to let the winch take the strain?

 

[Searush]

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

[ QUOTE ]
So are you saying it OK to let the winch take the strain?

[/ QUOTE ]

Basically, if it ain't designed to take the strain, then it probably wasn't designed! However, a rope snubber dramatically reduces the noise levels at night. You will be surprised just how noisy an anchor chain is as it grates & rolls when the boat sheers about in wind, current & waves.

Just remember the rope snubber is the weakest link, if it breaks the chain will hold, but the noise & snatch as it holds will have you out of bed, wide awake & on the fore deck in seconds. You will probably also need to change your shorts!

I sometimes just stuff a rag under the chain - it isn't quite as quiet as rope, but you still have the full strength of the chain. Another trick if there are waves, is to use a rubber snubber to reduce the jerk of the boat snatching at the top of a wave.

 

[Tugw]

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

Fair enough,The other question was what do people do if they need to get out of the way PDQ,do you just dump the lot over the side or what?

 

[hlb]

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

What are we talking about here. Stopping for lunch on a calm day. Or trying to stay put in a F8 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Searush]

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

In an absolute emergency - a pretty rare occurence in fact - tie a buoy (or fender) to the tail & let it slip.

But unless you have a kedge, you are now unable to anchor - which is why it is not that good an idea. It only takes a minute or two to raise even a fairly heavy anchor like yours, even allowing for a slow windlass. Mind you, if the windlass fails & you don't have the strength to lift it, buoy & slip could be the best option. But don't expect the anchor to still be there 2 weeks later when the windlass is fixed! Anchors & Chain are expensive items!

In 25 years I have never had to slip an anchor - but then mine is only 35lb; so I can haul it up in seconds by hand!

 

[Richard10002]

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

[ QUOTE ]
Fair enough,The other question was what do people do if they need to get out of the way PDQ,do you just dump the lot over the side or what?

[/ QUOTE ]

With usually at least 2 boat lengths of chain out, my immediate reaction if something was dragging/drifting towards me would be to start the engine and drive round it. With crew available, I would also put someone on the bow to let more chain and rope out...... 300ft should leave enough room to get out of the way of most things.- might not work, but it would be a big decision to dump the lot. Also, you have to spend the time dumping it, then start the engine, then get out of the way.

 

[Tugw]

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

When i think about it your right,if i have to get out of the way that fast it probably already too late,Plus as i wont be doing much in the middle of shipping lanes its probably not that likely to have to be done.

 

[DAKA]

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

[ QUOTE ]
What are we talking about here. Stopping for lunch on a calm day. Or trying to stay put in a F8 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you have a good point if you are stopping for lunch on the boat then dump the anchor over with depth water + 2 m so you dont have so much to pull back up and have all that sea weed to clear off.


If you are going ashore even for 1/2 hour in an anchorage you have not used before you have to be certain it is safe.

We anchored once while I took my wife and daughter ashore in the dinghy.
It was a lovely sunny day, I returned to the boat as Im not the shopping type and found an excuse to leave them to it .

The tide turned, the sea breeze kicked in, it got rough, I started to get knocked about, all the other boats left.

Then the crew returned (40 mins, no more than 1 hour), I had difficulty in getting in the dinghy, then I had to land on the harbour slip......

At one point a wave dumped me half on and half off the slip, engine was racing dry, I was sat with a 12 ft drop under me to the water, while thinking how do I get out of this my daughter stepped into the dinghy, swmbo was running up the slip to get out of the way of the next wave.

My daughter then came to the back to give daddy a hug, then we started to tip ( scene from Italian job), Oh shucks I thought, but the next wave just picked us up and launched us sedately.

Anyway point is, if we had all gone ashore we would have left the boat overnight until the bay had returned to calm again.

I always try to anchor properly if going ashore.

How many time have you anchored for 1/2 an hour then been joined by friends who raft out , a few beers a bottle of bubbly and you realise a finger berth is not an option so you stay !


As to cutting chains , it is the usual reaction when you stuck on someone elses chain and both boats are now smashing each other to bits.
remember your anchor is also a safety bit of kit so it might not always be calm when in use.

If you use your anchor due to engine failure to keep you off rocks, you might want to cut it free once a fishing boat has you on tow.

 

[Richard10002]

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

[ QUOTE ]
What are we talking about here. Stopping for lunch on a calm day. Or trying to stay put in a F8 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if someone asks how to use the anchor, I dont think it would be right to suggest dropping it with a load of chain, leaving it to its' own devices.

Also, it's not a bad discipline to dig it in every time. It's good practice for when you need to do it for real, (heavy weather, overnighting, going ashore etc.), you wont get caught out by sudden bad weather or current, and those around you will know that you know what you are doing, including your crew/guests.

Not that it is never appropriate to do what you suggest when having lunch on a calm day.

 

[jfm]

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

Absolutely. There is zero wear on the clutch becuase the conical surfaces are not rubbing against each other, they are locked hard together. And the almost static (at least, very low stress amplitude) loading on the gears/bearings/shafts/other components is hugely within the capacity of a correctly sized winch.

 

[Tugw]

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

Well.After all the info i have now i think ill feel a little better about using the hook,Thanks Again /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Tugw]

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

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What are we talking about here. Stopping for lunch on a calm day. Or trying to stay put in a F8 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

if someone asks how to use the anchor, I dont think it would be right to suggest dropping it with a load of chain, leaving it to its' own devices.

Also, it's not a bad discipline to dig it in every time. It's good practice for when you need to do it for real, (heavy weather, overnighting, going ashore etc.), you wont get caught out by sudden bad weather or current, and those around you will know that you know what you are doing, including your crew/guests.

Not that it is never appropriate to do what you suggest when having lunch on a calm day.

[/ QUOTE ]

It will be for overnighting,cutting out the marinas unless its absolutley necassary

 

[Richard10002]

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

[ QUOTE ]

It will be for overnighting,cutting out the marinas unless its absolutley necassary

[/ QUOTE ]

Then you've had some good advice on setting and digging it in. Also well worth reading the articles referenced by Craig - I found them very interesting reading, particularly the ones about rode, which were new to me.

Dont be frightened of reversing on it each evening, whilst there is still light to move if it drags. Better than waking up to find that you've dragged onto the ground/rocks/another boat/open sea, (IMHO the latter is the most satisfactory outcome, albeit probably quite disconcerting).

Alternatively, you can swim over it and confirm it's still dug in, or both for belts and braces.

My paranoia comes from waking up having dragged in P. Andratx, (when I knew little about anchoring), and from waking up in Stromboli, (when I knew a bit more about anchoring), to watch other yachts drag past us in a F4, gusting 5, with 1.5m waves, whilst we held solid as a solid thing.