Short Handed Anchoring
 

I have a 27' Albin Vega which presently has the working anchor located
properly on the bow.

I am looking for comments regarding installing the working anchor on
the stern for better access during shorthanded sailing.

I see it sorting out something like this;

Identify anchoring spot as per usual but instead of arriving to anchor
spot with forward way on, then stopping, reversing and lowering the
anchor, I am considering sailing over the anchoring spot, dropping the
anchor from the stern while keeping way on until the proper scope is
out, then tie off the rode and set the anchor, once satisified walk the
rode to the bow and secure as per normal.

I will be using a combination chain and rope rode. I presently use a
Bruce anchor but want to use a differnt type of anchor.

It would be possible to build a proper anchor locker in the lazerette
and ideally anchor roller. Although, I cannot see how a standard
anchor roller would very well since there is not a substantial overhang
on the stern.

I look forward to all comments!

Thanks,
Greg

Short Handed Anchoring
 

"Paul Cassel" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I have a 27' Albin Vega which presently has the working anchor located
properly on the bow.

I am looking for comments regarding installing the working anchor on
the stern for better access during shorthanded sailing.

Won't work since your boat is designed to sail / point forward to wind and
current.

I single handed a much larger boat (~35,000 lbs) and found no issues in
anchoring duties including having to anchor in some squally weather
conditions.

What I suggest you do is deploy an anchor off the stern as a trial. Have
some more folks aboard to assist in this experiment, however.

-paul

I singlehand my Catalina 30 and have had no problem anchoring off the bow.

One technique that works well when you are setting two anchors is to drop
the stern anchor first, power forward while letting out twice the desired
scope on the stern rode, set the stern anchor with the engine, then drop the
bow hook and take in the stern rode to position the boat where you want it.
As one other poster mentioned, you've got to be careful not to wrap the
stern anchor rode around the prop if you try this.

--Alan Gomes

Short Handed Anchoring
 

This can work either with the stern anchor or with the main anchor with
its rode led aft outside all and carefully coiled so it will run clear
of everything. Like everyone else I don't recommend actually swinging
on you anchor stern first in most locals, but sometimes that's okay
too. I would not try to carry the loaded anchor rode forward after
setting. If you are going to use the main gear run it down the side,
outside all, bringing enough scope to set it back to the cockpit. Then
coil the rope into a container (eg. a milk crate) such that the anchor
and chain is on top and such that it will run freely. You can set this
up at the dock. Anchor by sailing as slowly as you can on a broad
reach with the rode on the windward side. Drop the anchor carefully
but quickly when you see a good spot, release the jib sheet and round
up... Try to do all that very quickly. I've done this maneuver with
just a scrap of jib out and no main and the forces when the anchor sets
can be surprising large. I had pretty beefy fairleads and a massive
anchor cleat on the boat I had back then and didn't ever break anything
but it might be better not to completely cleat the rode on the bow so
it will pay out a bit if it comes under a lot of strain. Used with
great care it is a useful anchoring technique when anchoring in a place
where you need to see where the hook will drop (eg mixed coral and
sand) but don't have a bow person, in any other circumstance walking
forward will be better.

-- Tom.

Short Handed Anchoring
 

Short Handed Anchoring
 

Actually I understood that you were planning to walk the rode forward.
The whole quote was "like everyone else I don't recommend actually
swinging
on you anchor stern first in most locals, but sometimes that's okay
too." It was the "somteimes that's okay too" that I was trying to add
to the previous posts.

-- Tom.

Short Handed Anchoring
 

In article .com,
" wrote:

I have a 27' Albin Vega which presently has the working anchor located
properly on the bow.

I am looking for comments regarding installing the working anchor on
the stern for better access during shorthanded sailing.

Single-handed anchoring is zero problem. Though my Admiral is on board
most times, I generally single-hand.

Stop the boat or nearly. Amble to the bow. Pay out the anchor as the
boat drifts back. Set the anchor by hand and pay out a bit more. Amble
back to the stern and hit reverse lightly to confirm the set. Turn the
engine off. Have a sundowner. Turn the engine on again in reverse, amble
to the bow and examine the relative scope and adjust as necessary. Amble
back to the controls. Increase the reverse thrust if you expect
nighttime pyrotechnics. Otherwise, just enjoy the sunset.

Really, recognizing that any one of those steps causes dragging isn't
rocket science. The major problem I see in anchoring is impatience.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Short Handed Anchoring
 

"Jere Lull" wrote in message
...
In article .com,
" wrote:

I have a 27' Albin Vega which presently has the working anchor located
properly on the bow.

I am looking for comments regarding installing the working anchor on
the stern for better access during shorthanded sailing.

Single-handed anchoring is zero problem. Though my Admiral is on board
most times, I generally single-hand.

Stop the boat or nearly. Amble to the bow. Pay out the anchor as the
boat drifts back. Set the anchor by hand and pay out a bit more. Amble
back to the stern and hit reverse lightly to confirm the set. Turn the
engine off. Have a sundowner. Turn the engine on again in reverse, amble
to the bow and examine the relative scope and adjust as necessary. Amble
back to the controls. Increase the reverse thrust if you expect
nighttime pyrotechnics. Otherwise, just enjoy the sunset.

Really, recognizing that any one of those steps causes dragging isn't
rocket science. The major problem I see in anchoring is impatience.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages:

This ambling is all fine until you try anchoring by yourself in a crowded
anchorage with 20+ knots of wind.

Short Handed Anchoring
 

On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:42:30 GMT, "Gordon Wedman"
wrote:


This ambling is all fine until you try anchoring by yourself in a crowded
anchorage with 20+ knots of wind.


Maybe you should go around the point to the next anchorage if it's
blowing 20knt in this one. I like my anchorages under 15 at least when
I get there. If it's blowing 20, I feel safer on the water.

Jeannette
Bristol32
S/V 'Con Te Partiro'
http://www.eblw.com/contepartiro/contepartiro.html

Short Handed Anchoring
 

"Gordon Wedman" writes:


This ambling is all fine until you try anchoring by yourself in a crowded
anchorage with 20+ knots of wind.



There is more time than you think, even in 20+. I've picked up
moorings single handed in that much wind - you just have to put the
boat in the right place and be ready. Anchoring is more forgiving.
And in bad conditions, you have picked a spot with enough room I hope.

(Caveat - I'm a sailer. I have no knowledge of how power boats behave
under those conditions. On the other hand, it appears that these days
every power boat more than 15 feet long has a power windlass
controlled from the helm :-)
--

Short Handed Anchoring
 

"Jeannette" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:42:30 GMT, "Gordon Wedman"
wrote:


This ambling is all fine until you try anchoring by yourself in a crowded
anchorage with 20+ knots of wind.


Maybe you should go around the point to the next anchorage if it's
blowing 20knt in this one. I like my anchorages under 15 at least when
I get there. If it's blowing 20, I feel safer on the water.

Jeannette
Bristol32
S/V 'Con Te Partiro'
http://www.eblw.com/contepartiro/contepartiro.html

In good holding ground with proper tackle and with the right sea
conditions/wind direction (e.g., not on a lee shore) anchoring with 20 kts.
is not big deal at all.

Alan Gomes

Short Handed Anchoring
 

On 13 Jun 2006 19:43:57 -0400, Marc Auslander
wrote:

On the other hand, it appears that these days
every power boat more than 15 feet long has a power windlass
controlled from the helm :-)

Darn right, and if I ever own another sail boat it will have the same.

There is no substitute for weight if you want an anchor that sets
quickly and reliably, and if you believe that, you will need a
windlass.