First, get a good book on anchoring such as:


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...662172-8296016

or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...662172-8296016


or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...662172-8296016

That will tell you most of what you need to know. That said, you are
probably wanting to know some of the stuff that is so basic that it never
makes it into the books. First, you need to know why you are puting out a
second anchor in the first place. If it is because of a crowded anchorage,
then you will need to cleat the second rode at the aft end of the vessel.
If it is for changing winds or tides, then a bahamian moor is best. If it
a storm that concerns you, then I don't think that you want to attach a
rode to your stern because if the wind shift catches you abeam, you are
likely to drag BOTH anchors (due to increased windage) where a single
anchor would have held.

So my assumption is that you intend to set both anchors at 60 degrees from
each other off your bow (covered in the aforementioned books) for extreme
storm situations where you are forced to ride out at anchor. The first
anchor is set normally and the load is taken off the windlass using
snubbers to your deck cleats. The second anchor is rowed out in the
dinghy. If it is an all chain rode, that will be a pretty tough row. The
second rode is also snubbed to deck cleats. The windlass NEVER should
accept any strain from anchor rodes except as a back-up to the snubbers (
the grinding of the gears and the creaking of the mounting bolts is your
30 second warning to get on deck and check things out).

You asked about secure rode fastening. First be sure that your deck cleats
are firmly attached and well backed up with backing plates. The vintage of
your vessel probably means that you have a sampson post as well, It is
likely to be your strongest attachment, use it for your main rode
snubbers. Try to distribute your snubbers to as many different pieces of
deck hardware as you can. That way if one lets loose, you are still firmly
attached. Pay particular attention to sources of chafe on your snubbers.
Size your snubbers according to the tables in the books. The chain in your
locker is your last line of defense if your snubbers fail. Be sure your
bitter end is secured.

On a different subject, I still have not had a chance to scan images of my
boat trailer for you, but I will forward them on once I get a chance.

David Braun
s/v Nausicaa