JDavis1277 wrote:

Rick,

A method I've found useful is "tripping" the anchor loose.

It's pretty simple..... if, when you set the anchor, you backed down to the
South..... to trip the anchor motor across it heading due North. Proceed
slowly so you can take up rode as you approach the anchor (don't want the rode
in your wheel). As you pass over the anchor take a couple of turns around an
after cleat with the rode. Continue to apply moderate throttle while heading
North. If the anchor fails to trip free let out some more rode and try again.
Remember to exercise caustion to keep the rode out of the wheel.

Tripping has thus far never failed to free my anchor.

Butch

Chuck wrote:

If it's stuck, I just tie it off with just a couple of feet of slack, and
back away at various angles.


--
Chuck Tribolet

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet

Silicon Valley: STILL the best day job in the world.


In response to: I just just bought another boat which has a windlass. My
previous boats
did
not have a windlass so I used grapling hook anchors which where very easy
to
unjam. Now with the dansforth anchor it is tougher when they get stuck,
and
the windlass isn't strong enough to break it free.. So I am wondering what
is
the best way to unhook the anchors when they get stuck

Thanks
Rick



Tripping usually works. What you don't want to do is use your windlass
to free a hardstuck anchor. You'll burn out the windlass. If you use
your deck cleats to tie off the rode, first make sure the hardware is
stout and securely fastened, with backup plates. On some cheaply made
boats, I'd not want to use deck hardware, for fear of tearing the cleat
from the deck or tearing out a chunk of the deck itself.

I did not install a windlass on Yo Ho, because she is mainly a fishing
boat, and I didn't want to be tempted to use the windless to raise a
stuck anchor from the typically fouled bottoms found at good fishing
areas. I use an anchor ball to raise the anchor, and sometimes it is
useful in raising a stuck anchor; when you move forward to trip the
anchor, the ball tends to lift it out of whatever is fouling it.

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