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Deep Water Anchoring Technique
Hey all,
I was just talking with a friend who had recently returned from cruising in Alaska. He told me of two anchoring techniques I'd not heard of before and would appreciate any information or experience anyone else has to offer about this. The first was a different means of attaching the anchor to the chain that allowed for easier retrieval. Instead of connecting the chain to the end of the anchor shaft with a swivel and shackle, as would typically be the case, the chain is instead connected to base of the anchor (add an additional piece of chain after the swivel that is the length of the anchor shaft) and attach it where one would instead expect to attach a trip line. The anchor chain is then run along the shaft and "tied" to the end of the shaft using a lightweight line such that any pull from the chain is transfered to the trip line attachment point but kept in line with the anchor shaft by the small line. This line is strong enough to withstand normal side loads while allowing the chain to distribute any real loads onto the shaft at the base. Should the anchor become stuck in coral or rock one can then drive the boat forward over the anchor and begin hoisting. This will break the line holding the chain to the end of the anchor shaft and pull the anchor up from the trip line attachment. The justification given for this was that when anchoring in 300' of water, should an anchor become caught one would have to sacrifice all their chain and rode. This approach allows them the ability to greatly increase the chances they could retrieve everything. Has anyone heard of this before? The second technique was used to quickly bring up the anchor and reduce the effort required of the windlass by raising the anchor to the surface using a float. When ready to pull the anchor up, a large stainless steel hope (1 foot diameter) that is placed around the anchor rode and then attached to a very large fender or liftbag (or anything with high lift capacity) and the boat driven in a "C" course around the anchor. Apparently the drag induced by the fender forces the ring to slide down the rode and ultimately pulls up the anchor up to it - resulting in the anchor coming to the surface and hanging off one side of the ring and the anchor rode hanging off the other. This is supposed to be much faster, (especially if you have a lot of rope rode as well) and allows you to get your anchor on deck with less effort on the windlass. Again, I've never heard of these techniques and would appreciate any insight you all might have. Thanks, Robb |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Deep Water Anchoring Technique
"AMPowers" wrote in message om... The first was a different means of attaching the anchor to the chain that allowed for easier retrieval. Instead of connecting the chain to the end of the anchor shaft with a swivel and shackle, as would typically be the case, the chain is instead connected to base of the anchor (add an additional piece of chain after the swivel that is the length of the anchor shaft) and attach it where one would instead expect to attach a trip line. The anchor chain is then run along the shaft and "tied" to the end of the shaft using a lightweight line such that any pull from the chain is transfered to the trip line attachment point but kept in line with the anchor shaft by the small line. Heard about this many (30?) years ago in UK magazine Yachting Monthly, but I'd never seen it in action until relatively recently, when I saw the idea being used in Greece, where boats regularly moor bows or stern to a quay, with their anchors about 40 to 60 metres off shore. Late arrivals often drop their anchors on top of others. This, of course, is a recipe for great quayside entertainment at departure time when one or other vessel picks up his anchor with one or several others hanging off his own. The answer, of course, is quickly to trip your anchor so the rest drop into the drink before their owners start crashing into the quay. Easier said than done. I have a short trip line permanently attached, which helps. Then I met this bright guy using the technique you mention. He just sawed through the lashing with a knife on a gaff he always kept in readyness . . . smiled, sounded his horn to wake up the (rather loosely moored) neighbours to their plight, and went on his way. Neat. -- JimB http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/ Describing some Greek and Spanish cruising areas |
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