On Oct 31, 6:46 am, Skip Gundlach wrote:
I can't find the original post which led me to this site. I found it
very interesting:

http://www.rocna.com/press/press_0612_wm_ym_testing.pdf


Good morning SKip:

Thanks for the link. Ive read a few comments about the Rocna in the
last year but put that learning low on my list. Until this
morning............ interesting information! I want to give it a try.


It discusses a very thorough test of many different anchors in several
different conditions, in very controlled circumstances. Significant
to our recent "discussions" :{)) they took core samples. I think
you'd agree that those were markedly more informative than just taking
something off the top like the local clip joint :{))


Agreed, and that is my biggest gripe.... people pulling comments out
their ass with zero imperical support. DOnt get me wrong, personal
experince is very useful information. But......... like all opinions
every body has one. That is what I enjoy about Hinz (note the no T)


Back to our conversation, though, do you bend on each anchor before
launch, or do you set one for the area you already know, and leave it
attached?

If crossing a bar I have my anchor ready to depoy immediatly. I
typically sail alone, and dont want to end up on the jetty if
something goes wrong.

If day sailing I keep it ready to drop.

When uner way offshore for more that 24 hours I stow the anchor. I
dont like stuff on deck that might break loose in snoty weather.



These last few years ive been in the PNW. I lke to do things easy so I
use what works reasonbly given the bottom. Around here that is 1) mud/
sand estuary with fast tide flow, 2) columbia river mud, 3) or upper
columbia river which is mud or mud over basalt rock because of the up
stream dam pool siltation.

In the estuary if Im going to stay for a few days I use a Bahemian
style set up. using mud/sand anchors (Fortress FX). when the tide
changes it can really start to flow..... 3-5 k+ . Dont want to risk
breaking out every 6 hours. (tide change)

In the upper Columbia I use a CQR and all chain. NOt uncommon to set
on 3-4' mud and then find basalt. (Oregon's most valuable mineral) The
CQR does okay hooking in the rock. ONce I got fowled on an old car.
But there are lots of "marinas" to use on the upper river. Usually I
just tie up to an old grain barge. I only had one time when a tug
skipper give me blast wanting pick up the barge.!!!!! Oregon also
provides free docks along the river.


And, if like in the Chessie, what do you do when the bottom
conditions change repeatedly (the alluvial area was where we were
lots, but the last couple of hooks has been hard, and from what I
could see, the intervening ones were sand, e.g.)?

This is where it is essential to know how to "read the river" Look at
the chart see what that says for bottom type. But thatstoo general and
usual 50 years old. Lots can happen in 50 years. For example....
FLOODS! Look for drainage channels that means speed and harder
bottoms. as yuou said before slow water builds deltas.... ie soft mud/
silt Then look look at the suround land forms. Water, like air, flows
in some rather predictable ways. When I wa 3-10 years old I use to
build harbors/docks/jetties on the river bank of the Columbia. I didnt
know it at the time but that little wood boat and my soup spoon taught
me a lot about how jetteys, bays, currents, waves (provide by passing
boats) rip-rap, finger and wing dykes effect water flow.

I guess what im saying SKip is, go clamming..... get a bottle of wine
and sit on the bank by yourself get drunk and watch the water durring
a tide excahnge or two. Read some books and get drunk again while
watching the water go by. Soon the secrects will be reveald..... Who
knows, you might LOOK at a place you may park that boat and think,
"humm a break water there, current goes that way, might get some
silting in that area.... "I bet there might be a 3 foot hump about
there."


I've never been
clamming, not enjoying eraser bits of any sort in my meals, but I do
know what you mean about getting out of that stuff...

the great thing about clams and oysters is that they come with "geen
stuffing"



This article has me rethinking my anchor management.


Its not the anchor...................... its the bottom! Dont put the
cart in ront of the horse. Listen to the bottom and it will tell you
what type of anchor to use.

Oh, RE the belt problme...... more of the same is going to get you
more of the same. How often do you change the belts on your car?????
Why should it be any diffrent on your boat?

Bob