mick
Well-Known Member
When making sure the anchor is well dug in, what do most people go for - hard or gentle astern?
Engine in astern to anchor.
- Thread starter mick
- Start date
G
Guest
Guest
If I went for hard astern ... I would rip it out no trouble ... so I give it a number of steady and short pulls on lower throttle. Then sit and watch boat bring up to cable ... check it for reasonable period that boat is held.
G
Guest
Guest
Nice and slowly at first wait 30 seconds after chain quiet and then crank it up slowly to 2000rpm. Big toe on the chain in front of the bow roller feeling for jumps. Check transits then slowly down to idle so you don't end up flying around the anchorage.
Takes a few minutes and has a whole set of hand signals to accompany it. Only when both of us are happy do we sleep soundly.
Takes a few minutes and has a whole set of hand signals to accompany it. Only when both of us are happy do we sleep soundly.
cynthia
Well-Known Member
Our latest technique is to let the anchor out first so that it is just a couple of metres above the seabed - then it is easily dropped into the first patch of sand we see. Reverse is very gentle, the chain being let out slowly. Once it has bitten, and the chain has lifted as near to horizontal as possible, revs are increased to 2000 to check the holding. Have sat out a f8 this year - may be we're just lucky - we never trust it completely and always set an anchor alarm if in doubt (which we usually are!!)
webcraft
Well-Known Member
If your anchor won't hold with full astern revs then it won't hold in a blow and you are just kidding yourself.
The secret is to make sure it is set before you increase the revs . . . don't drop it then immediately go full astern, let the boat drift back naturally on any wind or tide then slow astern, then gradually increse the revs once you feel it holding.
All IMHO and I can't believe I have been foolish enough to post in an anchoring thread again.
- Nick
The secret is to make sure it is set before you increase the revs . . . don't drop it then immediately go full astern, let the boat drift back naturally on any wind or tide then slow astern, then gradually increse the revs once you feel it holding.
All IMHO and I can't believe I have been foolish enough to post in an anchoring thread again.
- Nick
MedMan
Well-Known Member
Gentle first, and then gradually increase the revs to 2000. However, before pulling back we make sure we have at least 3:1 scope out and in shallow water (5-6 metres) at least 5:1 scope. Pulling back under power is the equivalent of being in quite a blow (thought without the veering about) so it is important to have sufficient scope or you are bound to drag the anchor out. Once you are sure the anchor is holding you can bring some of the chain back in board if you are in a crowded anchorage and not expecting much wind.
Malcb
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If I went for hard astern ... I would rip it out no trouble
[/ QUOTE ]
Not everyones got your power to weight ration Nigel /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
If I went for hard astern ... I would rip it out no trouble
[/ QUOTE ]
Not everyones got your power to weight ration Nigel /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Ships_Cat
Well-Known Member
I agree (on the full astern bit, not the foolish bit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).
What we do - If setting up for a blow (say gale +) or for more than a single night's stay we drop anchor to bottom plus some extra (which extra, if doing it alone, will also give me enuff time as the boat drifts back to it to skip back and put engine in slow astern. With short cable in shallow water I set the clutch on the windlass just enuff so chain will pull out looking after itself as the boat's weight comes onto it while I get aft and back again) and slowly back up as rest of scope dropped. We make fast and continue backing up to pull catenary then good blast astern to dig in watching transits until boat stops secured (which can seem to be a long way if one has much cable out and it is chain which has alot of stored length in the catenary). Assumes one has fittings capable of carrying the loads (which some don't).
If wind is already blowing strong we let the wind do all the initial backing up before making fast and putting power on (usually not so much power needed with wind assistance).
If dangers close around, rocks, shore, shallows, etc we then rotate the boat with lots of power on astern to ensure we will miss them all as the boat swings when blown to max the scope allows.
For a daytime stop with the boat attended and calmish we just drop the anchor with a blip astern to lay the chain out a bit as it goes over the bow, but not too fussy, and that's it.
John
What we do - If setting up for a blow (say gale +) or for more than a single night's stay we drop anchor to bottom plus some extra (which extra, if doing it alone, will also give me enuff time as the boat drifts back to it to skip back and put engine in slow astern. With short cable in shallow water I set the clutch on the windlass just enuff so chain will pull out looking after itself as the boat's weight comes onto it while I get aft and back again) and slowly back up as rest of scope dropped. We make fast and continue backing up to pull catenary then good blast astern to dig in watching transits until boat stops secured (which can seem to be a long way if one has much cable out and it is chain which has alot of stored length in the catenary). Assumes one has fittings capable of carrying the loads (which some don't).
If wind is already blowing strong we let the wind do all the initial backing up before making fast and putting power on (usually not so much power needed with wind assistance).
If dangers close around, rocks, shore, shallows, etc we then rotate the boat with lots of power on astern to ensure we will miss them all as the boat swings when blown to max the scope allows.
For a daytime stop with the boat attended and calmish we just drop the anchor with a blip astern to lay the chain out a bit as it goes over the bow, but not too fussy, and that's it.
John
Rick
Well-Known Member
Entirely depends on how much power you have - xx revs or % throttle meaningless really given you might have 8 or 250 hp! .... 
I engage reverse (22hp on 31 foot yacht) and gently move back, then increase throttle to largely remove catenary from chain - ie the chain approaches a "straight" line from anchor to bow roller - I hold this for about 30 seconds, then ease off and allow boat to move forward and stop, then take transits, get a cool drink and sit and watch things for a bit.
I engage reverse (22hp on 31 foot yacht) and gently move back, then increase throttle to largely remove catenary from chain - ie the chain approaches a "straight" line from anchor to bow roller - I hold this for about 30 seconds, then ease off and allow boat to move forward and stop, then take transits, get a cool drink and sit and watch things for a bit.
G
Guest
Guest
Agreed in principle ...
Most sailboats with adequate power can run full power astern on an anchor. But higher powered MOBO's and for example sailboat like mine ..... 42HP in 25ft boat .... honest if I put full power astern ... it would rip that anchor out sure as eggs is eggs !!
Most sailboats with adequate power can run full power astern on an anchor. But higher powered MOBO's and for example sailboat like mine ..... 42HP in 25ft boat .... honest if I put full power astern ... it would rip that anchor out sure as eggs is eggs !!
DRANNIE
Well-Known Member
Re: Agreed in principle ...
What not to do is what we saw yesterday at Gillkicker. Motor slowly round the other anchored boats in your 38ft bavaria while your son fishes off the front while you watch a boat lay out 25 meters of chain and set up for lunch.
Then when you are sure he's got the kettle on tell your son to stop fishing, motor to where you reckon his anchor is and then get your son to dump the entire contents of you locker in a big pile.
We sat in the cockpit with our butties as his chain paid out and he slowly drifted towards us. To be fair he did stop about 3 meters off our bow, but then he wasn't on deck to witness it.
Isn't anchoring part of the comp crew course?
What not to do is what we saw yesterday at Gillkicker. Motor slowly round the other anchored boats in your 38ft bavaria while your son fishes off the front while you watch a boat lay out 25 meters of chain and set up for lunch.
Then when you are sure he's got the kettle on tell your son to stop fishing, motor to where you reckon his anchor is and then get your son to dump the entire contents of you locker in a big pile.
We sat in the cockpit with our butties as his chain paid out and he slowly drifted towards us. To be fair he did stop about 3 meters off our bow, but then he wasn't on deck to witness it.
Isn't anchoring part of the comp crew course?
Mirelle
N/A
I don\'t usually do either!
I did find myself putting the engine gently astern on Sunday, but that was because we were taking a long time to drop back (light air and weak tide) and the occupants of the cockpit ahead of us where we stopped to allow the boys to play on the beach were looking at our bowsprit with an air of horrified fascination!
I don't generally motor astern after dropping the anchor; wind and tide should take care of that. If anchoring under sail, it's absurd to start the engine.
But my more general point is that there is no need to proceed as if you expect a typhoon if you are just stopping overnight in fair weather.
I did find myself putting the engine gently astern on Sunday, but that was because we were taking a long time to drop back (light air and weak tide) and the occupants of the cockpit ahead of us where we stopped to allow the boys to play on the beach were looking at our bowsprit with an air of horrified fascination!
I don't generally motor astern after dropping the anchor; wind and tide should take care of that. If anchoring under sail, it's absurd to start the engine.
But my more general point is that there is no need to proceed as if you expect a typhoon if you are just stopping overnight in fair weather.
GMac
Well-Known Member
Re: I don\'t usually do either!
[ QUOTE ]
I don't generally motor astern after dropping the anchor; wind and tide should take care of that. If anchoring under sail, it's absurd to start the engine.
But my more general point is that there is no need to proceed as if you expect a typhoon if you are just stopping overnight in fair weather.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agree 100%
[ QUOTE ]
I don't generally motor astern after dropping the anchor; wind and tide should take care of that. If anchoring under sail, it's absurd to start the engine.
But my more general point is that there is no need to proceed as if you expect a typhoon if you are just stopping overnight in fair weather.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agree 100%
Robin
Well-Known Member
Re: I don\'t usually do either!
I can understand the thinking and maybe go along with it for a lunch stop when everyone remains on board, but no more. The anchor may well be holding under zero load by virtue of being hooked on a bit of weed and today's weather may not be tonight's. In Southern Brittany for example where we are headed this weekend there is the 'Vent Solaire', not the sea beeze of the day as you might expect but the dramatic return of the sea breeze air to whence it came, usually at about 3am and up to F6! This 'Vent Solaire' is not included in forecasts and can cause mayhem when the gentle offshore breeze turns right onshore and blows a hoolie, maybe not east coast weather but perhaps the local equivalent here are the thunderstorm winds like those that suddenly arrived without warning last weekend!
Personally I have a lot of confidence in our anchor gear and in it staying put once set. Under engine I will set it in reverse, very gently at first then progessively more until our 44hp is all pulling, NOW it is set. Under sail I might back the main to reverse for the initial set but as we always use an electric windlass 99% of the time the engine is started to help power this so we might as well give it a tug in reverse.
I like to sleep peacefully at night and not worry about anchors dragging.
I can understand the thinking and maybe go along with it for a lunch stop when everyone remains on board, but no more. The anchor may well be holding under zero load by virtue of being hooked on a bit of weed and today's weather may not be tonight's. In Southern Brittany for example where we are headed this weekend there is the 'Vent Solaire', not the sea beeze of the day as you might expect but the dramatic return of the sea breeze air to whence it came, usually at about 3am and up to F6! This 'Vent Solaire' is not included in forecasts and can cause mayhem when the gentle offshore breeze turns right onshore and blows a hoolie, maybe not east coast weather but perhaps the local equivalent here are the thunderstorm winds like those that suddenly arrived without warning last weekend!
Personally I have a lot of confidence in our anchor gear and in it staying put once set. Under engine I will set it in reverse, very gently at first then progessively more until our 44hp is all pulling, NOW it is set. Under sail I might back the main to reverse for the initial set but as we always use an electric windlass 99% of the time the engine is started to help power this so we might as well give it a tug in reverse.
I like to sleep peacefully at night and not worry about anchors dragging.