In article ,
"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark wrote:

I do get your point about letting the waves and the movements of the
boat do a lot of the work, but my experience is, that it can still be
pretty hard work, before the chain is back in the "anchor room" (sorry
don't know the correct maritime term in English) and the anchor is
safely secured at the bow ... because, as soon the anchor slips the
bottom, the boat starts drifting backwards ... and at that point, I
still have some 8 meters of chain and an anchor to take care of (often
accompanied by a lot of unwanted "stuff"), and at the same time, I don't
have an awful lot of time to fix it all, before I have to be back at the
helm to move the boat away from the other fellows at the anchorage ...
That's why I'm looking into the possibility to install an electric
windlass with a remote controller ... I'm sure my back would appreciate
this investment ... some day ... and - in that case - I will feel much
more comfortable leaving before the fellows anchoring behind me ...

BTW, I wasn't saying not to get and use a windlass if your circumstances
warrant it. I'm just offering some techniques I use to protect my bad
back.

But, in blowy conditions, the wave action will pull the anchor
effectively if you're up close enough to the anchor. Give the waves time
to do the work.

Walking back to the cockpit will add about double your weight in hauling
effort. (Useful when hauling a deeply-set anchor even when it's not
blowy.)

If you haven't hauled enough rode, the wave action will slack the chain
up so you can haul in some more every once in a while. No need to rush
as long as the anchor's still set; you're not going anywhere.

Once it breaks free, haul in a few feet, cleat, then tend to the boat
until in open water. Again, no rush; just enough speed for steerage.

Notice how often "no rush" has come up in this thread?

--
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/