anchoring from the cockpit?
 

My anchoring technique when sailing solo has always been pretty laughable.
At least for observers anyway. For some reason, it never occured to me that
i could anchor from any place on the boat other than the bow. anchoring in
isolated places usually went ok; a quick sprint to the bow with the motor
still running in neutral, drip anchor and drift back until i had enough
scope, then tie off.

Anchoring in crowded areas, particularly if it was a bit choppy or there was
a strong wind could really be an experience though.... the usual scenario
sees me dashing back and forth as i drift too far too fast to get the anchor
placed exactly where i want it, tripping over loose lines all the while.

recently i read a post where someone described how he kept his anchor in the
cockpit, with the chain stored in a bucket. he would then deploy the anchor
from the cockpit, see that it was set well, then walk the rode up to the bow
and tie off there. While it could really only work with small boats and
small anchors too, this idea seemed simple and brilliant to me. Am i the
only idiot who never thought of it?

Shaun

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in message
...
My anchoring technique when sailing solo has always been pretty laughable.
At least for observers anyway. For some reason, it never occured to me
that i could anchor from any place on the boat other than the bow.
anchoring in isolated places usually went ok; a quick sprint to the bow
with the motor still running in neutral, drip anchor and drift back until
i had enough scope, then tie off.

Anchoring in crowded areas, particularly if it was a bit choppy or there
was a strong wind could really be an experience though.... the usual
scenario sees me dashing back and forth as i drift too far too fast to get
the anchor placed exactly where i want it, tripping over loose lines all
the while.

recently i read a post where someone described how he kept his anchor in
the cockpit, with the chain stored in a bucket. he would then deploy the
anchor from the cockpit, see that it was set well, then walk the rode up
to the bow and tie off there. While it could really only work with small
boats and small anchors too, this idea seemed simple and brilliant to me.
Am i the only idiot who never thought of it?

Shaun


You can do even one better by running a doubly long line from the bow to the
cockpit (that's twice the length of the cockpit to the bow), set the anchor
from the cockpit as described then tie the rode off to the line at its half
length point, let it go, and keep the end in the cockpit. To pull in the
rode, simply pull in the line until the rode enters the cockpit and pull up
the anchor. You are always tied off at the bow and yet never have to go up
there. Make sure your line runs outside the shrouds, lifelines etc.

Works for me.

Ben Allez

s/v Chauncey's Gig
Morgan Out Island 41

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

Ben Allez wrote:
"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in message
...

My anchoring technique when sailing solo has always been pretty laughable.
At least for observers anyway. For some reason, it never occured to me
that i could anchor from any place on the boat other than the bow.
anchoring in isolated places usually went ok; a quick sprint to the bow
with the motor still running in neutral, drip anchor and drift back until
i had enough scope, then tie off.

Anchoring in crowded areas, particularly if it was a bit choppy or there
was a strong wind could really be an experience though.... the usual
scenario sees me dashing back and forth as i drift too far too fast to get
the anchor placed exactly where i want it, tripping over loose lines all
the while.

recently i read a post where someone described how he kept his anchor in
the cockpit, with the chain stored in a bucket. he would then deploy the
anchor from the cockpit, see that it was set well, then walk the rode up
to the bow and tie off there. While it could really only work with small
boats and small anchors too, this idea seemed simple and brilliant to me.
Am i the only idiot who never thought of it?

Shaun



You can do even one better by running a doubly long line from the bow to the
cockpit (that's twice the length of the cockpit to the bow), set the anchor
from the cockpit as described then tie the rode off to the line at its half
length point, let it go, and keep the end in the cockpit. To pull in the
rode, simply pull in the line until the rode enters the cockpit and pull up
the anchor. You are always tied off at the bow and yet never have to go up
there. Make sure your line runs outside the shrouds, lifelines etc.

Works for me.

Ben Allez

s/v Chauncey's Gig
Morgan Out Island 41

You guys must be talking about fairly small
anchors. On our C27 you could easily do what you
are suggesting, but I don't think I could get the
Irwin's anchor up over the side into the cockpit
without gashing the gelcoat. If you are close
enough to the side to lift it straight up, you'd
have to be hanging out over the water on a lifeline.

Don W.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Don W" wrote in message
et...
Ben Allez wrote:
You guys must be talking about fairly small anchors. On our C27 you could
easily do what you are suggesting, but I don't think I could get the
Irwin's anchor up over the side into the cockpit without gashing the
gelcoat. If you are close enough to the side to lift it straight up,
you'd have to be hanging out over the water on a lifeline.

Don W.

Im on a thunderbird 26, but i think i would still retreive from the bow....
leaving anchor is usually not so stressful for me, even though i do have to
retrieve by hand. if conditions are blowy, ill hall as much as i can by
hand, tie off, then motor away to free the anchor from the bottom. while im
motoring, i lock off the tiller then go up to the bow to finish retreieving
the anchor.

Its pretty easy to deploy the anchor over the side though, as long as you
can resist the strong temptation to swing it round your head grapelling hook
style. the day you throw it rather than drop will be the day the chain
either gets hooked up on something and sends the anchor right through the
side of your boat, or wraps around your leg taking you with it ;-)

Shaun

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

I think this method runs the risk of fouling the anchor by dropping chain
and rope on top of it. You can do the same thing by letting the rode out
too fast while the vessel still has some headway.

I like to watch the stuff floating on the water until the moment when the
boat is totally stopped (may require some adjustment in current) and then
let the anchor go until it just touches bottom. Then, I try to let the
chain out at about the same speed the boat starts drifting backwards, or
blowing off to the side in most cases, so that the chain has the best chance
of laying smoothly out along the bottom instead of piling up on top of the
anchor. When I get the right scope out, I snub the line and the intertia of
the drifting boat digs the hook in. By this time, the boat is usually
crosswise to the wind. My 32 footer is small enough that a series of jerks
to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it very firmly.
Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep soundly.

It sounds to me like you are making the common (almost universal) mistake of
trying to do things too fast. Relax. Try to do everything at half speed
like you were trying to impress the crowd on the yacht club veranda. You'll
be surprised how much time there actually is to do things. If not, you're
probably anchoring too close and that was your first mistake.

If you do have to anchor in a tight spot, there is usually a direction with
more room and a little thinking ahead will make sure the boat falls off in
that direction. Don't forget to scope out the current. If it is going to
have more of an effect on the boat than the wind, nothing you do will work
out right if you try to anchor upwind with a stern current. I still make
this mistake sometimes.

--
Roger Long

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
I think this method runs the risk of fouling the anchor by dropping chain
and rope on top of it. You can do the same thing by letting the rode out
too fast while the vessel still has some headway.

I like to watch the stuff floating on the water until the moment when the
boat is totally stopped (may require some adjustment in current) and then
let the anchor go until it just touches bottom. Then, I try to let the
chain out at about the same speed the boat starts drifting backwards, or
blowing off to the side in most cases, so that the chain has the best
chance of laying smoothly out along the bottom instead of piling up on top
of the anchor. When I get the right scope out, I snub the line and the
intertia of the drifting boat digs the hook in. By this time, the boat is
usually crosswise to the wind. My 32 footer is small enough that a series
of jerks to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it
very firmly. Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep
soundly.

It sounds to me like you are making the common (almost universal) mistake
of trying to do things too fast. Relax. Try to do everything at half
speed like you were trying to impress the crowd on the yacht club veranda.
You'll be surprised how much time there actually is to do things. If not,
you're probably anchoring too close and that was your first mistake.

If you do have to anchor in a tight spot, there is usually a direction
with more room and a little thinking ahead will make sure the boat falls
off in that direction. Don't forget to scope out the current. If it is
going to have more of an effect on the boat than the wind, nothing you do
will work out right if you try to anchor upwind with a stern current. I
still make this mistake sometimes.

--
Roger Long

Best advice for almost everything! Slow down and think about what you are
doing. I like it.

Ben Allez

s/v Chauncey's Gig
Morgan Out Island 41

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote in
:

recently i read a post where someone described how he kept his anchor
in the cockpit, with the chain stored in a bucket. he would then
deploy the anchor from the cockpit, see that it was set well, then
walk the rode up to the bow and tie off there. While it could really
only work with small boats and small anchors too, this idea seemed
simple and brilliant to me. Am i the only idiot who never thought of
it?



One of my friends, Dan, had a Hatteras 56 FBMY. He didn't really have a
cockpit, the helm was in his living room and another one on the patio
(flybridges don't have enough room for a pool, ya know..)

The medium Hat would deploy its anchor from either helm station. There
was one button for UP and one for DOWN.

He never used the anchor until I challenged him to go to the Charleston
Tugboat Races near USS Yorktown (CV-10). Just out of the channel, but in
plenty of tidal current coming down the Cooper River, I pushed the DOWN
button and let the anchor hit bottom in about 35' of water in the pluff
mud. I let the current drag us away putting the train engines in neutral
and keeping the DOWN button pressed backing away about 80 yards. When I
let up the button, the chain groaned and the Hat just sat there on her
tether, much to his amazement.

She held just fine for hours until way after the race was over. (White
Stack one by a pollard...(c;) We had dinner and sat on the patio under
the stars, then pressed the UP button until the anchor showed up. I
dragged it in the water while backing down to wash the mud off it before
winding it all the way into the chain locker. (I don't know how much
chain it had but it was a lot!) We motored back to the marina enjoying
the lights of Charleston passing slowly by about 10PM...how beautiful she
is....

That started a great Summer of anchoring out after I proved to him she
would trail her hook just fine. The next weekend we spent two days
anchored off Bird Key behind the island. We dragged by jetboat behind so
we'd have something to buzz around in leaving the "Big Camper", as Dan's
wife used to call her, on her hook in calm waters.

I liked the part about refilling her tanks on DAN'S credit card....(c;

She's sold and renamed, now. Dan and Kay have a huge diesel pusher
motorhome that dwarfs a Greyhound bus. They liked it so much they've
ordered an even grander road mansion, custom made to their tastes this
time.... I miss the old Hat and spending Saturdays in her bilge fixing
this or that or playing with the 8V92TA train engines in her two engine
rooms....on DAN'S credit card, of course...(c;

"Fill 'er up!", I said to the diesel dockhand while Dan held both hands
over his pulsing heart...(c;

Larry
--
Vista has been out a week.
Is Service Pack 1 ready yet?

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

On Feb 16, 9:38 am, "Shaun Van Poecke"
wrote:
....
recently i read a post where someone described how he kept his anchor in the
cockpit, with the chain stored in a bucket. he would then deploy the anchor
from the cockpit, see that it was set well, then walk the rode up to the bow
and tie off there. ...
Shaun

I have done this, and, while it is certainly a small boat trick, I
have done it with a 20 ish pound Danforth with a bit of chain in a 36
foot boat several times and on smaller boats as well... It is just
the thing when you: have things set up or have time to set them up,
are anchoring under sail, are single or short handed and want to see
where you anchor hits the bottom (eg looking for sandy bits in the
coral). Otherwise, I think the over the bow method is best.

-- Tom.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:20:58 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

My 32 footer is small enough that a series of jerks
to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it very firmly.
Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep soundly.

Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:20:58 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

My 32 footer is small enough that a series of jerks
to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it very
firmly.
Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep soundly.

Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.



It's a good practice as long as you don't do it excessively. If you do, you
tend to create nice drag marks in the bottom. I usually do so moderately.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:53:08 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

It's a good practice as long as you don't do it excessively. If you do, you
tend to create nice drag marks in the bottom. I usually do so moderately.

I would much prefer creating a "drag mark" during the day time when
I'm wide awake, than in the middle of the night sound asleep. If the
anchor is not set well enough to withstand backing down with the
engine, especially a small sailboat engine, it will never hold during
a wind squall.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:20:58 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

My 32 footer is small enough that a series of jerks
to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it very
firmly.
Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep soundly.

Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.


As the rode pays out I give it a few "jerks" to get the anchor to roll over
and start to dig in.

I "dig in" at 1500 rpm for about 20-30 seconds while taking transits on
shoe. I also feel the rode forward of the bow roller to make sure the rode
is taut and that there is no vibrations which might indicate that the anchor
is not set.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 17:53:08 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

It's a good practice as long as you don't do it excessively. If you do,
you
tend to create nice drag marks in the bottom. I usually do so moderately.

I would much prefer creating a "drag mark" during the day time when
I'm wide awake, than in the middle of the night sound asleep. If the
anchor is not set well enough to withstand backing down with the
engine, especially a small sailboat engine, it will never hold during
a wind squall.



Certainly true, but you don't need to leave skid marks to know the anchor is
set. We never have a problem in the SF bay area, because my old tennis shoe
would hold in the mud, but places were things aren't quite so certain, we
drop the hook, let out about 70 percent of what I believe will be the final
rode length, snub it, and back slightly. Then, assuming all is well so far,
ease out the remaining 30 percent, then back down at 1500 rpm or so... if
the boat stops moving, we're set. Never had a problem doing this. Last time
it was gusting to 35 kts, and this worked.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Jack Dale" wrote in message
news:d%wBh.84744$Y6.41487@edtnps89...

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:20:58 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

My 32 footer is small enough that a series of jerks
to bring her around pointing towards the anchor usually sets it very
firmly.
Then, I let out the full riding scope and usually sleep soundly.

Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.


As the rode pays out I give it a few "jerks" to get the anchor to roll
over and start to dig in.

I "dig in" at 1500 rpm for about 20-30 seconds while taking transits on
shoe. I also feel the rode forward of the bow roller to make sure the
rode is taut and that there is no vibrations which might indicate that the
anchor is not set.

Great minds think alike. g

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Wayne.B" wrote


Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.


Nope. Interesting how people's environment effects their perspective. What
is it you have Wayne, 6-71's? People have been anchoring under sail for a
lot longer than there have been engines. I'm not going to start the engine,
warm it up barely, and the run it up to near full power just to set an
anchor. 15 hp in reverse isn't going to put a lot more strain on it than my
heaving. With the line in your hands, you can also sense a lot about the
bottom, is the anchor just holding in weed, is it hooked on a stone. When
each jerk get's firmer and firmer, you know it's going down and will
continue to do so with more strain.

When I do anchor under power, I back down but the engine is warm and it's
convienient.

None of this is appropriate to your big power boat with it's big engines and
high windage but I've never draggged.

Shore bearings I do take.

--
Roger Long

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

GO TO BOTTOM .. NO TOP POSTING FOR ME.
==========================================
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...

"Wayne.B" wrote


Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.


Nope. Interesting how people's environment effects their perspective.
What is it you have Wayne, 6-71's? People have been anchoring under sail
for a lot longer than there have been engines. I'm not going to start the
engine, warm it up barely, and the run it up to near full power just to
set an anchor. 15 hp in reverse isn't going to put a lot more strain on
it than my heaving. With the line in your hands, you can also sense a lot
about the bottom, is the anchor just holding in weed, is it hooked on a
stone. When each jerk get's firmer and firmer, you know it's going down
and will continue to do so with more strain.

When I do anchor under power, I back down but the engine is warm and it's
convienient.

None of this is appropriate to your big power boat with it's big engines
and high windage but I've never draggged.

Shore bearings I do take.

--
Roger Long
================================================== =================
This is from my Power Squadron Course .. taking it again. Always good to
get a refresher.

The vertical distance to the bottom includes: 1. height of the bow of boat
to water surface. 2. depth of water. 3. anticipated difference in water
depth due to the rise and fall of the tide.

Approach the place you intend to anchor against the wind or current;
whichever is stronger.

Lower [ never throw ] anchor, let it hit/set on bottom. Allow the boat to
drift with the wind or current. Use more rode than you need for the planned
scope. This will increase the horizontal pull ..

When satisfied the anchor is set, take in extra rode. tie to bow cleat ..
use a Cleat Hitch.

Take a bearing to object of shore. To check for dragging.

no engine .. not for sailing vessel.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"NE Sailboat" wrote in message
news:6jEBh.455$aM.343@trndny03...
GO TO BOTTOM .. NO TOP POSTING FOR ME.
==========================================
================================================== =================
This is from my Power Squadron Course .. taking it again. Always good to
get a refresher.

The vertical distance to the bottom includes: 1. height of the bow of
boat to water surface. 2. depth of water. 3. anticipated difference in
water depth due to the rise and fall of the tide.

Approach the place you intend to anchor against the wind or current;
whichever is stronger.

Lower [ never throw ] anchor, let it hit/set on bottom. Allow the boat to
drift with the wind or current. Use more rode than you need for the
planned scope. This will increase the horizontal pull ..

When satisfied the anchor is set, take in extra rode. tie to bow cleat ..
use a Cleat Hitch.

Take a bearing to object of shore. To check for dragging.

no engine .. not for sailing vessel.


My friend in Los Angeles harbor who had the ferro tank sailboat had the most
unique method of setting anchor I've ever seen. While I wouldn't repeat it,
it seemed to work for him. But then, he had a rock hull (and though I still
think fondly of him, possibly a rock head as well). He would approach his
chosen anchorage at about 5 knots, cutting the anchor loose when he judged
(if that is the right word) that he was approaching the point he wanted his
anchor to set. A 45 pound CQR tailing heavy chain would then plunge to the
bottom, chain paying out behind until it reached the preset scope,
eventually digging in and swinging the boat around. He always did this under
engine power, scaring the bejeezus out of every other boat in the anchorage
and any virgin crew aboard. He was not open to other methods of anchoring,
having had such success with his "power drop" method forever.

Downright scary.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote:
He would approach his
chosen anchorage at about 5 knots, cutting the anchor loose when he judged
(if that is the right word) that he was approaching the point he wanted his
anchor to set

-Trying to get a mental picture of this- He would do this under
sail?? .... or power? And drop it from the bow while moving forward
at 5 knots? ... thereby over running the anchor and exposing the rode
to entanglement in the keel and/or prop and/or rudder? .... and/or
possibly "setting" the anchor in the wrong direction?
Surely I'm misunderstanding something.

Rick

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

wrote in message
...
"KLC Lewis" wrote:
He would approach his
chosen anchorage at about 5 knots, cutting the anchor loose when he judged
(if that is the right word) that he was approaching the point he wanted
his
anchor to set

-Trying to get a mental picture of this- He would do this under
sail?? .... or power? And drop it from the bow while moving forward
at 5 knots? ... thereby over running the anchor and exposing the rode
to entanglement in the keel and/or prop and/or rudder? .... and/or
possibly "setting" the anchor in the wrong direction?
Surely I'm misunderstanding something.

Rick

Under power. And no, you've got the picture exactly right. Scary.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

PhantMan wrote:
.... and/or
possibly "setting" the anchor in the wrong direction?

"KLC Lewis" wrote:
until it reached the preset scope,
eventually digging in and swinging the boat around.

Oh! I see (said the blind man).
Soooo... he would do his approach from UPwind?
(no wonder it would scare the beejebees outta everybody)

Rick

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

wrote in message
...
PhantMan wrote:
.... and/or
possibly "setting" the anchor in the wrong direction?

"KLC Lewis" wrote:
until it reached the preset scope,
eventually digging in and swinging the boat around.

Oh! I see (said the blind man).
Soooo... he would do his approach from UPwind?
(no wonder it would scare the beejebees outta everybody)

Rick


Who could tell? His theory was that regardless of where the wind was coming
from, the inertia of the boat would set the anchor and everything would sort
itself out when the boat came to a stop. I anchored out with him a few
times, same technique each and every time. He had something of a
self-destructive streak, and died under questionable circumstances.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote:
something of a
self-destructive streak, and died under questionable circumstances.

oh.... sorry to hear about your friend.
But I think I have a better understanding (picture) now.

Rick

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
...

"NE Sailboat" wrote in message
news:6jEBh.455$aM.343@trndny03...
GO TO BOTTOM .. NO TOP POSTING FOR ME.
==========================================
================================================== =================
This is from my Power Squadron Course .. taking it again. Always good
to get a refresher.

The vertical distance to the bottom includes: 1. height of the bow of
boat to water surface. 2. depth of water. 3. anticipated difference in
water depth due to the rise and fall of the tide.

Approach the place you intend to anchor against the wind or current;
whichever is stronger.

Lower [ never throw ] anchor, let it hit/set on bottom. Allow the boat
to drift with the wind or current. Use more rode than you need for the
planned scope. This will increase the horizontal pull ..

When satisfied the anchor is set, take in extra rode. tie to bow cleat
.. use a Cleat Hitch.

Take a bearing to object of shore. To check for dragging.

no engine .. not for sailing vessel.


My friend in Los Angeles harbor who had the ferro tank sailboat had the
most unique method of setting anchor I've ever seen. While I wouldn't
repeat it, it seemed to work for him. But then, he had a rock hull (and
though I still think fondly of him, possibly a rock head as well). He
would approach his chosen anchorage at about 5 knots, cutting the anchor
loose when he judged (if that is the right word) that he was approaching
the point he wanted his anchor to set. A 45 pound CQR tailing heavy chain
would then plunge to the bottom, chain paying out behind until it reached
the preset scope, eventually digging in and swinging the boat around. He
always did this under engine power, scaring the bejeezus out of every
other boat in the anchorage and any virgin crew aboard. He was not open to
other methods of anchoring, having had such success with his "power drop"
method forever.

Downright scary.



It's not that unusual.... done under sail, it's a racing technique.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. g


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
et...

wrote in message
...
PhantMan wrote:
.... and/or
possibly "setting" the anchor in the wrong direction?

"KLC Lewis" wrote:
until it reached the preset scope,
eventually digging in and swinging the boat around.

Oh! I see (said the blind man).
Soooo... he would do his approach from UPwind?
(no wonder it would scare the beejebees outta everybody)

Rick


Who could tell? His theory was that regardless of where the wind was
coming from, the inertia of the boat would set the anchor and everything
would sort itself out when the boat came to a stop. I anchored out with
him a few times, same technique each and every time. He had something of a
self-destructive streak, and died under questionable circumstances.


Probably at the hands of people he anchored near... g


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:07:01 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

"Wayne.B" wrote


Hopefully you back down on it with the engine at some point. That is
the acid test for me and I highly recommend it. Take a shore sight on
something to verify that you are not moving even an inch, then go to
sleep.


Nope. Interesting how people's environment effects their perspective. What
is it you have Wayne, 6-71's? People have been anchoring under sail for a
lot longer than there have been engines. I'm not going to start the engine,
warm it up barely, and the run it up to near full power just to set an
anchor. 15 hp in reverse isn't going to put a lot more strain on it than my
heaving.

Well Roger, you are entitled to your opinion of course, but I beg to
differ. Yes, I do have 6-71s driving big 30 inch props, and yes, they
can generate a *lot* of thrust even at idle speed. I estimate they
put out about 20 hp each at idle, but I usually only back down on one
engine unless really concerned for some reason. 20 hp is capable of
generating 300 to 600 pounds of reverse thrust thanks to the big
props, enough to stretch a 3/8 chain bar taught or nearly so.

Now for a little story, a very recent one in fact. We went cruising
this weekend up Pine Island Sound in SWFL, to a nice little cove
called Pellican Bay on the north end of Cayo costa Island. It is a
well protected harbor and we had it almost to ourselves because of the
chilly weather. On our way in however we noticed a very unusual
trawler that had clearly been modeled after a George Buehler "Diesel
Duck" design.

http://www.dieselducks.com/

We motored over in the dinghy on Saturday afternoon to get a better
look, ended up meeting the owner, and were invited aboard for a tour
of the boat. He had hand built it over 4 years and something like
$100K in cost even though doing virtually all of the work himself. It
was beautifully done to professional quality in almost every respect,
and he and his family were out for their first cruise since launching.

To make a long story short, we got hit with a 35 to 40 kt squall about
2:00AM on Sunday morning, and awoke to see his boat heeled over on a
sand bar about 1/2 a mile away from us. Sure enough his anchor had
broken loose during the squall, and they had dragged aground at nearly
high tide, on their very first night out. We are not entirely sure of
all the subsequent details but believe he was required to sign a
salvage contract with SeaTow to get pulled off. I'm sure it was an
expensive lesson in how not to anchor, and it would not be a good
thing to have on your insurance record.

We of course had done our usual due diligence anchoring on 5:1 scope
with 3/8ths chain, and a heavy anchor well dug in under power. As far
as I could tell from the GPS plot, we never dragged an inch even
though the anchor load probably exceeded 2,000 lbs during the squall.
This morning when we pulled up, the windlass would not even budge the
anchor off the bottom. I ended up locking off the chain and pulled it
out with the 6-71s. The anchor was so well set it must have had at
least 200 pounds of mud and clay on it.

Moral of the story? You really can't be too careful. The force of
the wind at 40 kts is 16 times greater than at 10 kts, and 40 kts is
just a routine squall in my experience. I've seen them as high as 60+
on an otherwise nice day.

PS: Thank you Glenn Ashmore. That 120 lb Spade is some awesome
anchor, and it is darned cheap insurance, especially these days when
your first claim is likely to be your last.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Wayne.B" wrote

20 hp is capable of generating 300 to 600 pounds of reverse thrust thanks
to the big
props, enough to stretch a 3/8 chain bar taught or nearly so.

Yes, but 20 hp doesn't do much with a skinny little two blade sailboat
wheel. When backing down against the anchor the propwalk puts most of the
horsepower into just swinging the stern around sidesways with very little
strain on the anchor rode. I probably get more dig in just by janking on
it.

Sailboats are different.

--
Roger Long

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

On Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:59:41 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

Sailboats are different.

Been there, done that.

After several lessons learned the hard way, I began backing down with
my Atomic 4 and puny little Martec folding prop. Believe me, it can
make a difference. If the anchor is not firmly set at that point, you
have *no* chance of holding in a squall.

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

"Wayne.B" wrote

After several lessons learned the hard way, I began backing down with
my Atomic 4 and puny little Martec folding prop. Believe me, it can
make a difference. If the anchor is not firmly set at that point, you
have *no* chance of holding in a squall.


The heave method, which admittedly is only applicable to smaller gear (one
of the things I like about cruising in a 32 instead of 45 footer) gets a
pretty good set. First heave I often feel the tips skipping over rocks or
tearing through weed, next I can feel them digging a small furrow, then they
grab but feel spongy, then the anchor takes solidly. After three heaves
that feel like I'm pulling on a mooring anchor, I'm pretty sure it's in
there.

Your anchor can hook a tip on a rock and hold until it bends or breaks the
rode but yet be ready to slip off and let you go at the first swing even
though it feels solid. The nice thing about the hand set method is tactile
understanding of what is going on at the other end of the line and chain.
(Remember that, up here in the Northeast, you can't see as deep as your
keel.) In a tough spot with threatening weather, I might do both hand set
and power. A "set" anchor is oriented so that it digs deeper with
increasing strain. The important thing is to make sure it is in that
configuration and not just hooked in weed or on a rock.

My point isn't actually that one method is better than the other but that
utilizing all the information and understanding all the factors will keep
you safer than just putting the engine if reverse everytime you anchor.

I'm sure you know all this and I'm not arguing or preaching to you but just
keeping a discussion going that may be useful to the OP and any others who
are experiencing a little anchor anxiety.

I've been anchoring since 1969 although with a 15 year gap. I have never
dragged in the sense of waking up hitting another boat or the bottom. I
have woken up in a different place a couple times though due to strong
winds. In both of those cases, the anchors were clearly pulling a furrow
through the bottom because the felt like I had to pull them up through about
five feet of mud and could barely break them out with the rode led to a
winch. Those anchors were firmly set but the forces were simply overcoming
the strength of the bottom material. Backing under power wouldn't have made
any difference on those nights. The anchor doesn't know whether it is wind
or engine that is pulling on it.

In rough conditions, you need to be up and checking when conditions change.
In a tight spot and strong winds, the engine should be warmed up. In really
bad conditions, you may want to take some of the strain off the gear by
going slow ahead.

--
Roger Long

anchoring from the cockpit?
 

In article ,
"Shaun Van Poecke" wrote:

My anchoring technique when sailing solo has always been pretty laughable.
At least for observers anyway. For some reason, it never occured to me that
i could anchor from any place on the boat other than the bow. anchoring in
isolated places usually went ok; a quick sprint to the bow with the motor
still running in neutral, drip anchor and drift back until i had enough
scope, then tie off.

Anchoring in crowded areas, particularly if it was a bit choppy or there was
a strong wind could really be an experience though.... the usual scenario
sees me dashing back and forth as i drift too far too fast to get the anchor
placed exactly where i want it, tripping over loose lines all the while.

recently i read a post where someone described how he kept his anchor in the
cockpit, with the chain stored in a bucket. he would then deploy the anchor
from the cockpit, see that it was set well, then walk the rode up to the bow
and tie off there. While it could really only work with small boats and
small anchors too, this idea seemed simple and brilliant to me. Am i the
only idiot who never thought of it?


After reading the 30 messages I see in the thread, I believe the best
answer is "slow down", possibly adding an "aim further upwind" as a
usual action.

I tried the aft launch and while it worked, it was more trouble than it
was worth.

In that sort of situation, I come in with the engine ticking over (as it
always is in a possibly tricky situation), choose my spot, furl the jib
and head up-wind. I start strolling forward while we have a knot or so
on, reaching the bow before we lose the momentum. Then I pay out line,
keeping slight tension on the rode, bring up the slack at about 3:1 and
then snub it at 7:1. After flaking the main sail and putting the cover
on, I check the rode again. Only after about 5 minutes settling down do
I back down, and then only at about 1000 RPM, as our feathering prop is
effective.

It's always so funny to see someone come into a dead-easy anchorage,
stop and futz about before heading forward -- at which point the boat's
dropped back a couple of lengths and is making pretty good speed, fast
enough that the Danforth just sails over the bottom and doesn't hook.
Then they do it again!

Even funnier are the ones that drop the anchor and rode in a pile, then
immediately back down at 2000 RPM. Anchor never gets a chance to set and
they plow a furrow the length of the anchorage.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's NEW Pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/