On the Coastguard prog on Southern TV on Wednesday this week......

[Mirelle]

We have a 45lb CQR stowed on deck and 12mm chain. Obviously I handle the anchors.

Like JJ, when going alongside, (a thing I hate!) I steer, and handle the stern warps.

Assuming I'm not singlehanding anyway.

We were (unusually for us) in a marina when a big modern boat with high topsides tried to enter a berth adjacent. the man who was driving yelled to a lady on the foredeck with a warp "Jump" which she did, onto the tip of the finger pontoon, almost going into the dock and winding herself quite badly.

I don't understand some people.

 

[chrisgee]

Sailing in greece most of the time we are anchoring once or twice a day mosts days . we have a 45 lb cqr with 10mm chain and a Lofrans Tigres windlass with remote control at the bow and cockpit. We never have any problems anchoring , taking it in turns at the "sharp end". For single handed anchoring when going stern to
which I do in most harbours I am thinking of buying a Wireless Remote so I can steer in and drop and adjust the anchor.

 

[Cornishman]

But why does anyone need to get ashore quickly? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Or do you always arrive alongside 5 mins before closing time? Never mind, pubs will be open all night soon.

 

[Talbot]

still proves that you can take lots of safety measures, but unless they are ingrained into the brain, [--word removed--] happens.

 

[muminator]

I agree that in this circumstance, the physically stronger person should do it.
I almost always helm, while my husband goes forward.
That said, I am trying to hone my skills so that anything he can do with regard to boat handling, I can too. I tend to think quite a lot about the "what if"s when we're sailing.
I'm also lucky in that he is a great skipper - unselfish, encouraging and very good at giving me opportunities to experience and improve.

 

[Boots]

I agree with the comments already made.

I mostly sail with my youngest son, who is 15 years old, and if we drop anchor, then it is me who handles the anchor and chain etc. Not just because I'm stronger, (mind you not for much longer the way he is growing!) but because of the safety factors. A chain can be dangerous at any time, and it is all to easy to catch the fingers/hand.
He has also developed good skills in handling the boat for this kind of operation, and I'm confident to leave him at the helm while I handle matters at the bow.

Even if my eldest son is with us, and he is more than capable of pulling up the anchor, I still feel that I need to be "doing the work" so to speak.

 

[Becky]

You could be right! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

HQMBO says thatyou select the rightSpade anchorby some other criterion. By area?

All I know is that we have two; one s steel and VERY heavy, and the other one for me is aluminium and quite light. But both ae the same size.

Still, I would prefer Richard on the foredeck when the anchor is being lowered as he doesn't angry if he breaks a nail./forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
But now we have a working anchor windlass, things are easier once the anchor pin is removed and the thing is ready to be dropped. Which for me is the difficult thing to do.