How many buoy their anchors ?

[Guest]

In fact how many know why its advised ? And finally how would you do it ??

(I do occasionally - depending on where I am .....)

Interested to see replies !!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[robp]

Having had an expensive dive job in Braye, (where the harbour master said there was nothing to foul), I vowed to use trip lines in future. Plus others' poor anchoring fouling my chain, I thought I would take the line up to a buoy and back down around and then up on to the boat, so I had a marker too. However, from a thread the other day I see this frowned upon, which I can understand. So I'm intrested too!

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[bruce]

i do mine, nothing fancy, fender and rope long enough to reach the deck at high tide.

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[Benbow]

When: Hardly ever, in fact only when anchoring in an area obviously likely to be foul.

How: bit of rope on the crown same length as max depth plus a bit. Small float on the end. Important that its small enough a. not to disturb the anchor b. not to be mistaken for a mooring buoy and picked up by some plonker (who has probably just called the CG for a radio check). For both those reasons I have taken to using an old squash bottle.


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[snowleopard]

i don\'t...

normally unless there's a particular risk of fouling.

method 1: use a line more than the maximum depth at HW, attach to the crown of the anchor and thread through the lower ring of the buoy. attach the end of the line to a heavy shackle threaded onto the line below the buoy. the weight of the shackle keeps the buoy close above the anchor.

method 2: using a line of similar length, attach to the crown as before but instead of a buoy, attach to the anchor cable as it goes out, making sure the cable comes taut before the trip line. when recovering, detach the tripline as the cable comes in then if the anchor is fouled you already have the trip line to hand.

in either case, if the anchor is fouled, give the cable some slack and motor forwards keeping the trip line taut so the anchor is pulled out backwards from under the obstruction.

method 2 is preferable as ther is no buoy to foul other boats and there is no chance of an idiot making fast to your buoy thinking it's a mooring! (yes, it has happened)

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[bedouin]

I do occasionally but only when I think there is a significant risk of fouling. Done with an old fender attached to a line a little longer than HW depth and leave the thing floating. I might take a different approach in a crowded anchorage if there was the risk of another boat fouling the tripping line.



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[SlowlyButSurely]

I once saw a passing boat catch the tripping line of an anchored boat with its propeller which resulted in the anchor being tripped. The boat which was previously anchored started to drift followed by the other boat which by now had most of the tripping line round its prop. It took quite a while to sort out the mess.

So I don't. I'm sure it's extremely unlikely but I would rather lose an anchor than have that sort of problem.

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[Sunnyseeker]

Always

But tripping line is weighted so that it won't foul passing boats. Little pulley on bouy and big old shackle on the end

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[Guest]

Interesting !

The point of plonkers thinking its a mooring buoy are valid - so use of a suitable marker is applicable. We all HATE pot-markers, so why not do similar and then all will stay clear and leave well alone thinking its a lob-pot etc.

The idea of the weighted line is a very good and practical idea - have to review my old-hand way ....... that is HW depth + little bit.

I don't think leading the line back to deck is a good idea, too much possibility of another fouling it ..... how many have you seen motor, even sail between you and your anchor ? Basically because a well set anchor with reasonable scope laid out should have good catenary and allow most boats to pass over cable. Yeh - we all have a laugh at that one !!

OK - my bit ...... I use one when I believe that fouling may occur, or if I think there is any possibility that lifting it reversed may be prudent ..... so I would normally use a spare light rope about 6 - 8mm with a small 5ltr plastic can at end. Its bent onto the anchor at the forged eye above the plough ...... Then if ever required ...... motor up to 'buoy' pick up and heave anchor on board, retreiving cable / chain accordingly.

Still interested in more replies and ideas ..... we all live and learn ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[robp]

Re: Interesting !

Yes the weight idea is much better and easier! Therefore more likely to deploy. Nice one.

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[LittleShip]

Re: i don\'t...

Method ONE works great and is a constant reminder as to where the anchor is.

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I wish I'd been born rich instead of good looking ?<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by LittleShip on 05/08/2004 16:49 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Mirelle]

Very seldom. In fact, almost never

I have not yet lost a CQR; the Hiscock method of retrieving one, with a loop of chain dropped down the anchor chain, has worked on the couple of occasions when I have fouled something.

Conversely, the anchorages that we often use now are so crowded that a tripping line and buoy would be a source of mayhem, as like as not!

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[jerryat]

Agreed. Saw the same thing as well as twats 'picking up' the 'mooring buoy'! I don't buoy the anchor any more, even after having to get a diver down to recover my anchor when up the River Fal a few years ago. IMHO, the hassle simply isn't worth it, particularly as we tend to anchor in shallowish water most of the time and could nip down ourselves and sort it out.

Mind you, we spend a lot of time in the Med/Caribbean so diving has a different feeling!!

Good sailing!

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[Peppermint]

Re: I don\'t

and I like to watch people that do.

The fender float attracts boats like jam and wasps. They all think they've found a fender.

I've seen loads of floats collected by passing props. The most recent was during my YM exam. Our examiner, well versed in the way of Combined Services Sailing, told us that CS boats always use a buoy. In Osbourne Bay we watched such a vessel catch a RIB on his tripping line. Within thirty minutes of sorting that job out and damn me he's got a biggish Sunseeking thing on the line. Towed him about 20m forwards then backed into him.

The examiner said it was unfortunate that we had to leave as they often catch their own line during anchor recovery.

If I was that convinced that I'd foul I wouldn't anchor there.



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[AndrewB]

Not exactly ....

... I have a floating rope attached to the crown which is adjusted so that the end, with a loop, would be a couple of meters below water level at low tide. I could dive on this to retrieve it if fouled, and its too deep to catch props or be picked up by mistake.

If the water is murky and the chance of fouling is high, e.g. among old moorings, I lead the tripping line back to the yacht. Yes, this can tangle and might conceivable cause the anchor to trip out, but never so far. Last did this in Calais last winter when the waiting buoys were removed for dredging, main disadvantage was the tripping line came up totally disgusting, we towed it behind us all the way back!


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[BrendanS]

I'd tie a fender to a line to an anchor I had to cut loose, to try and retrieve later. Would never buoy an anchor I'm attached to, not in most anchorages on south coast anyway. I like to stay attached to the ground

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Rich_F]

Re: Not exactly ....

I like the floating rope idea.

Has anyone tried having, say, 12m of floating rope; one end tied to the crown, and the other tied 10m up the chain? I would have though that it would be unlikely to foul the chain (because it would float away from the chain) or other boats, would be out of the way, and could be used for tripping (as long as you were anchoring in less than 10m).

Is there a flaw in this plan?

Rich

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[Stemar]

not yet lost a CQR

I have, in water just too deep for me to dive to - & no helpful diver available, so I'm very interested in this thread.

I'm a bit leery of using a line loating below the surface; at low tide it might still be beflow the surface, but just enough to catch a passing prop. I do like the the idea of a weighted line with a block, though, and may try it.

The biggest problem I can see is that all these systems take time to set up, and when I lost my anchor, it was because my engine failed leaving my mooring, before I had more than minimal steerage way, with a strong current and far too many other boats close around for comfort. I had to get the hook down in a hurry before I hit something, so I suppose the loss of my anchor was the cheaper option.

One solution I've heard about and want to experiment with is to attach a line to the crown then attach it to the chain every metre or so with a weak tie (Rubber bands, sewing thread?). The idea is that it stows and deploys with your rode and stays close to it, so it won't catch anyone, but if the anchor fouls, a good tug will break the ties and one can trip in the normal way. I don't have a windlass, so for me that's not an issue, though it may be for some. Has anyone else any experience with this system?

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[chappy]

Re: not yet lost a CQR

If i use a tripping line, i just bring it back on board, no need to worry about fenders & any other boat getting tangled up in it.

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[chappy]

Re: not yet lost a CQR

If i use a tripping line, i just bring it back on board, no need to worry about fenders.

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