Lost anchor

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Major Catastrophe

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Hi peeps, last weekend I had to cut my anchor line as it got caught in rocks. Stupidly I didn't buoy it off as tide was running and I was single handed.

I've looked at those home made anchors where people have welded those concrete strengthening rods, which bend when caught in rocks.

I usually anchor in sand, so it seems to be a lot of trouble to go to, just in case of rocks.

Is there a solution to the problem of rock/sand anchoring?

And yes, I will be buying a buoy so I don't completely lose one again.
 
One of the best reasons for retaining paper charts is that they include details of the bottom. The best anchor for use in rocky areas is the fisherman. Alternatively, it tells you that this is a good time to add a tripping line.

You could try asking your local diving club if they would retrieve it for you (assuming you have an accurate position)
 
Technology

Ah but having an exact position would surely mean relying on gps - no-one in their right mind would do that- now would they?

Donald
 
Re: Technology

If the only way you can get an accurate position is GPS I think you may need to brush up on you nav a bit.
 
I have heard on hear that there are some modern anchors that set perfectly in rocks and never get stuck. Maybe someone will be along soon to recommend one. I am hoping to buy one soon.
Allan
 
Re: Technology

I have lost a few anchors over the years. I went down the tripping route but the trip always seems to go when your on a good mark and the fish are jumping into the boat. What I do now is have a selection of anchors including a home made grapnel made out of 20mm reinforcing bars. I use home made anchors over wrecks, (there are no rocks around here). You can anchor straight into a wreck with a home made grapnel so long as your boat has the power to bend the tines straight.

If you get a mate to weld one up make it as long as you can and make the tines half the length of the shank. and coming out 30-40°.
 
Re: Technology

[ QUOTE ]
If the only way you can get an accurate position is GPS I think you may need to brush up on you nav a bit.

[/ QUOTE ]
Some folk never had it to start with
 
Re: Technology

[ QUOTE ]

If you get a mate to weld one up make it as long as you can and make the tines half the length of the shank. and coming out 30-40°.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, I don't really have the room for two anchors, which is why I was looking for something that works well in sand, but if it gets stuck in rocks, I will carry a buoy so I can recover it next time.

I don't go near wrecks, so that is not a problem.
 
Re: Technology

My navigation and gps position fixing is very good and not in doubt. I had anchored in the same spot before without a problem.
 
From the 1944 edition of "The Yacht Master's Guide" by F.G.G.Carr

"Q: What is meant by "skowing" an anchor?

A: Bending the cable with a clove hitch round the crown, as a buoy-rope is bent, and taking the standing part to the ring, to which it is stopped with spunyarn. In the event of the anchor getting foul of some obstruction, if a great vertical strain be put upon the warp, the stopping will part, and the anchor can then be lifted up by the crown."[/b]
 
[ QUOTE ]
From the 1944 edition of "The Yacht Master's Guide" by F.G.G.Carr

"Q: What is meant by "skowing" an anchor?

A: Bending the cable with a clove hitch round the crown, as a buoy-rope is bent, and taking the standing part to the ring, to which it is stopped with spunyarn. In the event of the anchor getting foul of some obstruction, if a great vertical strain be put upon the warp, the stopping will part, and the anchor can then be lifted up by the crown."[/b]

[/ QUOTE ]

I think a cable tie does the same job now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
In the event of the anchor getting foul of some obstruction, if a great vertical strain be put upon the warp, the stopping will part, and the anchor can then be lifted up by the crown."

[/ QUOTE ]

You only get one chance of that working on a real rocky bottom, but its better than losing the anchor outright.

BTW what depth of water? Is it divable with a snorkel and fins?
 
I reserve the (expensive) main anchor and calibrated chain for cruising anchorages with known good ground, also available for emergency use. For fishing I use a cheapo Bruce look-alike with 10m of uncalibrated chain and 100m warp (typically anchoring in 25 to 30m) and keep the anchor rigged for tripping - I use cable ties. The bitter end is cleated and made off to a marker buoy in case of an emergency move (e.g. MOB or impending collision) or stuck anchor. Generally the anchor will come free when motored out using the Alderney Ring method as it will trip and get a good tug - alternatively the boats bow will dip and you will be going in a different direction :>)

BTW some ...eau bowrollers can distort when motoring out "firm" anchors.

AHoy2
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have heard on hear that there are some modern anchors that set perfectly in rocks and never get stuck. Maybe someone will be along soon to recommend one. I am hoping to buy one soon.
Allan

[/ QUOTE ]

Look at the SARCA (sand and reef combination anchor) http://anchorright.co.uk/index.php?id=uk

I'm very pleased with mine tho' only used it in mud, sand and grassy bottoms, but also as a sole anchor off an ocean beach. There are sure to be ones with a similar part where the chain slides in the groove to get you off rock (let out some chain, drive forward, dig out anchor by its crown). It cost a bit more than a standard Danforth clone, but a brilliant design for most bottoms and turn of tide.
 
Rock is a completely unreliable bottom regardless of the anchor type. Should be avoided except in an emergency and fishing in which case you can use a grapnel which will be get-uppable quite easily with a trip line.

You shouldn't select an expensive main, cruising, anchor for its performance on rock because if you regularly anchor on rock you will lose either your anchor, your boat, or both!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Is it possible to "skow" a Rocna anchor? Wouldn't think of buying one if I couldn't!

[/ QUOTE ]Due to its large roll bar it isn't always easy to "stow" a Rocna! It's comparable to a Bugel in that respect, and looks rather like one, too.
 
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