Kedge anchor

[mick]

I spend most of the summer cruising the west of Scotland and have done so for several years, at anchor more often than not. Despite being anchored in some scary places and in scary conditions, I have never used a kedge anchor. Have I been lucky, or do some of you think a kedge is simply unnecessary?

 

[TamarMike]

Strictly speaking a kedge is a lighter anchor which can be deployed using, say, a dinghy for instance for pulling a boat into deeper water after grounding.

I suspect you may be asking whether it is sometimes necessary to deploy two anchors. Two anchors laid in a moor can be used to reduce swinging, also a pair can be laid with their cables in a vee for more security but I feel that at any given time the strain will be taken entirely by one or the other, if there is space "daisy chaining" the pair is possibly more secure provided you have faith in your cable.

 

[LadyInBed]

[ QUOTE ]
Strictly speaking a kedge is a lighter anchor which can be deployed using, say, a dinghy for instance for pulling a boat into deeper water after grounding.

[/ QUOTE ] Or to hold the bow to the waves.
More info required me thinks.

 

[ebbtide]

IMHO there's a difference between carrying spare anchors for different holding grounds and a second anchor to deploy as required.
Certainly using both to establish a bridle (rolling hitch on the bower chain, with the kedge dropped astern) reduces swinging room where shallows intrude - but not advisable in a crowded anchorage where everyone else is lying to only one hook and with twice your scope bumps into you at turn of tide!

I wouldn't visit Lulworth Cove unless the wind was offshore ie Northerly. But experience shows that a Southerly swell will appear through the entrance so I dinghy the kedge ashore and pull the stern round so that we will face it despite the wind direction.
Doesn't stop crew getting seasick - just less so!

 

[NormanS]

Until about three years ago, I used to have a 60' converted fishing boat, motor yacht (I've now downsized). One evening, when at anchor, and having our evening meal, there was a sudden bang form astern. On looking out, all I could see was a black cliff at the stern of the boat. Our anchor had dragged, and we were ashore, shortly after HW Springs. Further inspection revealed seaweed along the starboard side, with the wind pushing the boat onto it. The only way that we could get off was to heave the bow round to port, and hope that the propeller would be clear.

The rubber dinghy was always kept aboard, but it only took a moment to throw it over the side, and take a 40lb fisherman kedge anchor, and a very long warp, out forward and to port. All this only took 10 minutes, but already the stern was about a foot high. Luckily the kedge held, and the winch was able to pull her head round into the wind. keeping my fingers crossed, I engaged gear, and the prop didn't hit anything. Some revs, and she came off and clear. I reckon she had been sitting on the rudder, which was steel, and very strong, and there was no damage.
The kedge anchor saved my boat that night, and curiously it saved another boat later the same night. But that's another story.........

 

[ebbtide]

"The kedge anchor saved my boat that night, and curiously it saved another boat later the same night. But that's another story..."

Go on, do tell!!

 

[Refueler]

I like the Swedish islands and a (kedge) stern anchor is necessary to moor up to the rocks. Drop it as you slowly move to the rocks ... let rode pay out ... snub and tie bow lines to rocks / trees etc. Type I have is a medium sized Fishermans, with CQR for main bower anchor.

So for me the second or kedge anchor is necessary.

This year I've cleaned up a dinky little job that likely is not big enough - but sure is 'cute' .... (4 kg Soviet anchor supplied with Progress 4 Mobo ...)

shown by side of 5 litre plastic container ....

and showing it has a good pivoting angle to dig in.

As to how much boat it can hold ??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Chrusty1]

Aaaaaaaaaaaw! aint that sweet! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
Aaaaaaaaaaaw! aint that sweet! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Cute in'it ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Channel Sailor]

I carry a fortress kedge which is used for: an easy to handle/retrieve "lunch hook", to adjust the angle of the boat to swell (reduces rolling), anchoring in crowded anchorages, very occassionally hauling off from rough harbour berths (to prevent damage when a swell arrives unexpectedly), and finally when you need to lay out an anchor using the dinghy, and finally I once set two anchors off the bow in very strong winds and fine sand (Braye Harbour). BTW my bower is a Delta, as I had have repeated trouble with the ubiquitous CQR. I have a CQR decorating my home garden rockery, best place for it.

 

[PeterGibbs]

I have dragged my "faithful" Bruce around for over 25000 miles, and it has never felt the balm of the sea on its fluke.

But, I reason the moment I take it off and add it to the pile of useful but not immediate gear under the stairs, I will regret it.

So it stays, like to many others I guess.

PWG

 

[mick]

[ QUOTE ]
I have dragged my "faithful" Bruce around for over 25000 miles, and it has never felt the balm of the sea on its fluke.

But, I reason the moment I take it off and add it to the pile of useful but not immediate gear under the stairs, I will regret it.

So it stays, like to many others I guess.

PWG

[/ QUOTE ]


My feelings exactly. Thanks to all.

 

[NormanS]

Thats a long way for an anchor to drag! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Searush]

I used my (fisherman) kedge several times on my previous shallow draft 25'er (Danforth main). Mainly because I could & would take that boat anywhere - often into very tight corners.

My current boat is 31' and about 30% deeper draft so I am much more cautious about where I take her & have not used the kedge for some years now. This boat has a CQR that has never let me down & I have recently upgraded to a Danforth kedge as I am mainly in mud & sand.

 

[jimbaerselman]

A second anchor, or kedge if you will, is essential if you're anchoring in a reversing tidal stream - typically, in one of the Brittany estuaries. Otherwise, each time the tide turns, your anchor will be re-setting - or failing to re-set.

A moor, with the two anchors pulling against each other, one up tide, one down tide, with the rodes lashed together below the waterline, ensures there's no re-setting to worry about. Good night's sleep - or a run ashore - is then feasible.

 

[AncoraLatina]

[ QUOTE ]
<span style="color:blue"> A second anchor, or kedge if you will, is essential if you're anchoring in a reversing tidal stream - typically, in one of the Brittany estuaries. Otherwise, each time the tide turns, your anchor will be re-setting - or failing to re-set</span> .

[/ QUOTE ]

Here in Brazil, we have only a few marinas; most well protected anchorages are in river mouths, where we have strong reversing tidal streams...

For years now, I’ve only anchored with a single bow anchor…… and never moved!

Therefore, I’m very thankful to you, now I’ve learned that I’ve been wrong for such a long time... but, As I never moved, I will still continue to be wrong again, /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif anchoring with a single anchor is by far much simple..

João