Self launching anchor question

[Boo2]

Hi,

In the case of a self-stowing and self-launching anchor raised and lowered by an electric windlass it's obviously necessary for the anchor to move forward when the tension in the chain is eased during lowering. But then when the anchor is raised and not in use this presumeably means the windlass has to provide a tension in the chain to keep it up ? Will an unpowered windlass do that OK when a sea is up (or even in a calm) or must a another way of retaining the anchor be used as soon as the it is raised and the boat under way ? I am thinking from the point of view of a single-hander here...

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[Twister_Ken]

Hi,

In the case of a self-stowing and self-launching anchor raised and lowered by an electric windlass it's obviously necessary for the anchor to move forward when the tension in the chain is eased during lowering. But then when the anchor is raised and not in use this presumeably means the windlass has to provide a tension in the chain to keep it up ? Will an unpowered windlass do that OK when a sea is up (or even in a calm) or must a another way of retaining the anchor be used as soon as the it is raised and the boat under way ? I am thinking from the point of view of a single-hander here...

Thanks,

Boo2

Mine self-launches. Yes, the windlass has to keep tension on the chain when it is raised, but when I have the opportunity to go forward, I put a hook on a two part tackle into the chain, tighten and cleat that off. Then I back the windlass off by a couple of chain links.

 

[rib]

i all ways tie mine down to a small d bracket at the shank,peace of mind !

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Line from an eyebolt to the shackle of the shank as soon as the boat is settled to the autopilot and I can go forward:

 

[grumpy_o_g]

It's not so much an "as soon as" unless you're really being thrown around (in which case it's probably not that good an idea to go forward I guess) but I like to secure the anchor as soon as is practical - I crew so haven't single-handed for ages - it seems to be SOP on just about all the boats I sail on anyway. If the chain is able to easily jump out of the gypsy or the anchor jump off the bow fitting it's more critical I guess. Theoretically the clutch on the windlass could fail but in my experience they're usually seized solid and won't budge even with a sledge hammer. I saw the mess an anchor that had come loose from it's deck shackles made many years ago when I first started sailing (it also made a mess of the two blokes that tried to secure it again) so I'm probably over-sensitive as it's not that common an occurrence I believe.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The windlass should never hold the anchor to the bow roller. Get a chain hook and line or a chain stopper.

 

[Tranona]

As already suggested, windlass will hold, but not securely. On mine the shank drops into a channel in the locker, so it is stable and I let off a bit of chain to take the strain off the windlass. Then lash down at leisure. Would prefer to use a pin, but it is in the wrong place on my stemhead for my new Delta.