Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

I have been intrigued by the discussion of anchoring -- especially the
thought of rigging an anchor so one can drop it off the bow from the
cockpit. Thinking about spin pole, cleats, hatches, etc., I wonder if
anyone has figured out the best ways to accomplish this maneuver with
the least risk. And how early in the game did they rig their anchor set
up.

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Feb 17, 4:32 pm, Harlan Lachman wrote:
I have been intrigued by the discussion of anchoring -- especially the
thought of rigging an anchor so one can drop it off the bow from the
cockpit. Thinking about spin pole, cleats, hatches, etc., I wonder if
anyone has figured out the best ways to accomplish this maneuver with
the least risk. And how early in the game did they rig their anchor set
up.

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

You just use a power windlass with a self dropping anchor with a up/
down switch at the helm.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

harlanl wrote:
I wonder if
anyone has figured out the best ways to accomplish this maneuver with
the least risk.

Depends on the boat. Power, sail, small, large, in between. There's a
different "best" way for every boat but there's always a way.

And how early in the game did they rig their anchor set
up.

Pretty early. I guess when I first started single handing as a kid 40
years ago. But the idea was around a long time before me.

Rick

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"capt.bill" wrote:
You just use a power windlass with a self dropping anchor with a up/
down switch at the helm.

Every self respecting 100' yacht should have one ;-)
Seriously though, on a small boat, say 25' or less, I've found a
windlass can be more trouble than it's worth.

Rick

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"capt.bill11" wrote:
You just use a power windlass with a self dropping anchor with a up/
down switch at the helm.

Every self respecting 100' yacht should have one ;-)
Seriously though, on smallish boats, say 25' or less, I've found a
windlass to be more trouble than it's worth.

Rick

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Feb 17, 6:27 pm, wrote:
"capt.bill11" wrote:
You just use a power windlass with a self dropping anchor with a up/
down switch at the helm.

Every self respecting 100' yacht should have one ;-)
Seriously though, on smallish boats, say 25' or less, I've found a
windlass to be more trouble than it's worth.

Rick

:-)

Nice to see someone get the joke without the need for a ":-)" all the
time.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Anchoring, being one of those things best done slowly and delibertly, is one
of the easiest single handed maneuvers. When I read posts about how to
avoid rushing around and minimizing risk it makes me think the issue is one
of the overall approach to single handing and vessel management and not of
dealing with ground tackle.

Getting the anchor up under sail in a tight anchorage is a bit more
difficult but not much.

Slow down, plan ahead, be able to anticipate how your vessel will act, and
you'll be surprised how easy everything is.

--
Roger Long

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Roger Long" wrote in
:

Anchoring, being one of those things best done slowly and delibertly,
is one of the easiest single handed maneuvers. When I read posts
about how to avoid rushing around and minimizing risk it makes me
think the issue is one of the overall approach to single handing and
vessel management and not of dealing with ground tackle.

Getting the anchor up under sail in a tight anchorage is a bit more
difficult but not much.

This is one of those things that's easier said than done. If you're in a
benign situation, then yes, it is easy. If you've got 20+ kts of wind and
other boats anchored too close, then it would be a huge challenge. What
happens if you drop the hook and it doesn't grab and you're being blown
onto another boat or a reef? In non-single-handed anchoring you'd have
one person at the wheel driving forward as the other person hauls the
anchor in. For a single handed operation I don't know the answer to this,
but it sure doesn't look like a good situation. It can be tense enough
with 2 people let alone 1. I've seen this happen and I've jumped in my
dinghy and offered to lend a hand.

Single handed operation is inherently more risky and that's especially true
when anchoring around other boats where mistakes can cause harm to others.

-- Geoff

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Geoff Schultz" wrote

This is one of those things that's easier said than done. If you're in a
benign situation, then yes, it is easy. If you've got 20+ kts of wind and
other boats anchored too close, then it would be a huge challenge.

There's your problem. Why are you anchoring right there?

Chances a pretty good that the anchor will take if there are enough boats
there to cause crowding. Most people don't know how to anchor and they
wouldn't be there if the bottom was poor. I'm trying to remember though the
name of the harbor that has a notorious big hard flat ledge right in the
middle. People come in, see that nice open spot left, and drag right down
into the other boats. This is one of the things I appreciate about having a
boat small enough that the ground tackle can be deployed by hand. I feel
for that first contact of the anchor with the bottom. If it's rock, you can
feel the "tink" right up the line and start working on Plan B right away.
You can even feel the flukes going through thick grass or weed if you pay
attention.

There's a good passage somewhere in the Patrick O'brian books about the mate
standing for twelve hours with his hand on the anchor cable while the ship
is anchored in a deep and dangerous spot.

Single handed operation is inherently more risky and that's especially
true
when anchoring around other boats where mistakes can cause harm to others.


Yes, but it can be done as safely as most multi handed operation is usually
performed.

BTW having someone motoring ahead as an anchor is hauled in is very risky if
it is being handled by hand. Even if you have a windlass, it's hard on the
topside paint.

-- Geoff

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:32:18 -0500, Harlan Lachman
wrote:

I have been intrigued by the discussion of anchoring -- especially the
thought of rigging an anchor so one can drop it off the bow from the
cockpit. Thinking about spin pole, cleats, hatches, etc., I wonder if
anyone has figured out the best ways to accomplish this maneuver with
the least risk. And how early in the game did they rig their anchor set
up.

harlan

First and foremost, as Roger Long said:
Slow down, plan ahead, be able to anticipate how your vessel will act,
and
you'll be surprised how easy everything is.

That's good and accurate advice in any and all cases, even with a
"crew" on board.

Single-handed a lot, including 'Final Step', a high windage Coronado
35. No windlass. To answer Harlan's question, a lot of times I ran the
rode, from the bowsprit roller mounted anchor, back and over the
main's winch on the mast to one of the cockpit winches. Now the
Coronado is a flush-deck center cockpit, so the rode wasn't touching
anything except the two winches. Mostly this was for raising - just
winch it up all the way.

To drop it was mostly get set up, turn into the wind, engage autopilot
(if not already), release main, mizzen and jib sheets if under sail or
throttle back and neutral if under power at the proper time (Roger's
anticipate your vessel), calmly walk forward and drop at the proper
time. Use the wait to lower jib, etc., keeping an eye on things.

Now, if conditions are a bit rough. If under sail drop main at some
convenient point before anchorage and enter under jib and mizzen. Drop
jib while "coasting" to anchor spot (not always possible). Drop mizzen
after it's all done. Or... Crank up the engine and drop all sails at
convenient point before anchorage if really, really rough and or
really, really crowded.

How early in the game to get set up? Before you get in tight quarters
at the latest. Set up as much as possible at all times. Just like have
your bow and stern lines run back and coiled at the cockpit _before_
you hit the first channel bouy if going in to a dock. That way you can
pull up to the dock, grab both lines and step onto the dock. No
running about, watching the stern swing out, etc.

Rick

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Roger Long" wrote in
:


"Geoff Schultz" wrote

This is one of those things that's easier said than done. If you're
in a benign situation, then yes, it is easy. If you've got 20+ kts
of wind and other boats anchored too close, then it would be a huge
challenge.

There's your problem. Why are you anchoring right there?

Chances a pretty good that the anchor will take if there are enough
boats there to cause crowding. Most people don't know how to anchor
and they wouldn't be there if the bottom was poor. I'm trying to
remember though the name of the harbor that has a notorious big hard
flat ledge right in the middle. People come in, see that nice open
spot left, and drag right down into the other boats. This is one of
the things I appreciate about having a boat small enough that the
ground tackle can be deployed by hand. I feel for that first contact
of the anchor with the bottom. If it's rock, you can feel the "tink"
right up the line and start working on Plan B right away. You can even
feel the flukes going through thick grass or weed if you pay
attention.

Statments like this make me think that you haven't anchored all that
much. I spend about 1/2 of my year at anchor in various locations
throughout the Caribbean. If you have any doubts about my statement,
please check out my Google Earth file showing all of the anchorages that
I've been in: http://www.geoffschultz.org/GoogleEa...gleEarth.shtml

I've been anchored for days in a location to suddenly have the boat
start dragging (this has only happened twice, but it does happen.) I
can't tell you how many times we've had to re-anchor because the anchor
just won't grab. I almost always dive the anchor to check to make sure
that it's set. While I'm doing that I have Sue back down on it to make
sure that it doesn't pull out. You can't do that single handed. I'm a
firm believer that if I can pull the anchor out with the motor, then a
good blow can do it too. We'll back down to 2500 RPM with a MaxProp and
2800 is our normal cruising RPM.

As to why someone anchors in a given location: Well, maybe there isn't
a lot of choice; you could have bad weather moving in; it's getting
dark; other boats are anchored where you normally anchor; the bottom
changed since you were there last; weather has forced you and others
into a sub-optimal location; you name it.

One problem that I have is that I publish extensive logs as well the
Google Earth KMZ file, and on many occasions I've found people anchored
at the exact location that were in these files. Now I'm making my
anchorage locations less specific...


There's a good passage somewhere in the Patrick O'brian books about
the mate standing for twelve hours with his hand on the anchor cable
while the ship is anchored in a deep and dangerous spot.

Single handed operation is inherently more risky and that's
especially true
when anchoring around other boats where mistakes can cause harm to
others.


Yes, but it can be done as safely as most multi handed operation is
usually performed.

BTW having someone motoring ahead as an anchor is hauled in is very
risky if it is being handled by hand. Even if you have a windlass,
it's hard on the topside paint.

If the wind has your anchor line is tight, how do you pull it up? I
motor forward so that we're not using the windlass to pull the boat. If
you're single handed, how do you do this? I don't over the chain (well,
I try not to) and I've never scratched the paint by doing so.

-- Geoff

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

The obvoius answer is a radio remote control, like for model
airplanes, with tiller, gearshift and throttle controls. A wired
remote at the prow might do as well.

Carrying the anchor aft and out side the rig to be dropped from the
cockpit has worked in the past, and dragging a long anchor line out of
the anchorage has also been done, pausing in deeper water to
consolidate the situation.

Different situations demand different approaches.

Terry K

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Geoff Schultz" geoff"at wrote:

Statments like this make me think that you haven't anchored all that
much.

Well, obviously not as much as someone like yourself but enought to know how
to do it. I'll admit though that I've neve anchored in your part of the
world and things may be different. Putting on the wet suit, the weights,
and diving down to set the anchor isn't very common up here in 60 degree
water:).

It was sort of a joke about the tight anchorage. Sometimes you just don't
have a choice but I've watched lots of people try to squeeze into someone
else's swinging room just to save themselves another 50 yards of dinghy
trip.

I'm just trying to make the point (and not actually directed at you who
clearly knows everything that could ever be necessary to know about the
subjet) that avoiding difficulties when you can, planning ahead, and
recognizing that technique is as important as the shape of the anchor will
make it a lot easier and less intimidating for those who are new to it.
Even in Maine where standards are high, about 80% if the boats will just let
it go and then head aft for cocktails.

--
Roger Long

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

....
There's a good passage somewhere in the Patrick O'brian books about the mate
standing for twelve hours with his hand on the anchor cable while the ship
is anchored in a deep and dangerous spot.
....

And there's a passage in one of his books about a 30 foot schooner
averaging 12 knots... Patrick O'Brian was a wonderfully gifted writer
and I love his books, but he was no sailor, and it would be very
unwise to use him as a guide to things nautical.

More on topic, in aggregate I've spent years at anchor in this boat,
often in very remote and potentially dangerous spots, and I still find
that anchoring can be pretty tricky at times. I agree that care and
deliberation are good things, but I think any much more specific
advise needs to take into account a fairly precise knowledge of the
situation. I've seen folks from all around the world anchor and there
are lots of techniques out there that seem to work pretty well, but I
don't think there is any one technique that provides universally good
results on all bottoms or in all situations.

-- Tom.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Roger Long" wrote in
:

Geoff Schultz" geoff"at wrote:

I'm just trying to make the point (and not actually directed at you
who clearly knows everything that could ever be necessary to know
about the subjet) that avoiding difficulties when you can, planning
ahead, and recognizing that technique is as important as the shape of
the anchor will make it a lot easier and less intimidating for those
who are new to it. Even in Maine where standards are high, about 80%
if the boats will just let it go and then head aft for cocktails.


I've never implied that I know everything about anchoring. I have dropped
the hook in lots of places with widely varying holding. I just get
concerned with comments that make single-handed anchoring sound easy. As I
said before, it's typically easy in benign situations, but anchoring can be
challenging even when things *should* be going well. I really don't care
if you put your boat on a reef, but I really care if you can't control the
situation and you drag into me or pull up my anchor!

Some people believe everything they read in these forums and I'm just
trying to provide an opposing view. I'm not trying to attack you, so
please accept my appologies if it appears that way.

This year I'm swapping my 45 lb CQR out for a 25 Kg Rocna because I'm
worried about the strong tidal currents in the Bahamas. My experience has
been that CQRs don't reset themselves very well in certain bottoms (such as
sea grass) and based upon conversations that I've had with people who have
Rocnas, the Rocnas do a much better job. I want to keep up my record of
only having dragged a handful of times and sleeping soundly at night is
important to me!

-- Geoff

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Geoff Schultz" wrote in message
...
I've never implied that I know everything about anchoring. I have dropped
the hook in lots of places with widely varying holding. I just get
concerned with comments that make single-handed anchoring sound easy. As
I
said before, it's typically easy in benign situations, but anchoring can
be
challenging even when things *should* be going well. I really don't care
if you put your boat on a reef, but I really care if you can't control the
situation and you drag into me or pull up my anchor!

Some people believe everything they read in these forums and I'm just
trying to provide an opposing view. I'm not trying to attack you, so
please accept my appologies if it appears that way.

This year I'm swapping my 45 lb CQR out for a 25 Kg Rocna because I'm
worried about the strong tidal currents in the Bahamas. My experience has
been that CQRs don't reset themselves very well in certain bottoms (such
as
sea grass) and based upon conversations that I've had with people who have
Rocnas, the Rocnas do a much better job. I want to keep up my record of
only having dragged a handful of times and sleeping soundly at night is
important to me!

-- Geoff

Geoff

Thanks for that recommendation. I just replaced my Bruce with a 15kg Rocna.
:-)

I'll probably keep the Bruce in the lazarette, in case I ever need a fourth
anchor, but it just lost out as my "go-to" anchor. It was already in danger
of losing out to my Delta, but now it's official.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

wrote

I don't think there is any one technique that provides universally good
results on all bottoms or in all situations.


I agree. And I'll agree with Geoff above that we shouldn't imply that
single handed anchoring is easy. I'm just saying that, if someone is up to
the other challenges of singlehanding (with however many warm bodies on
board) they probably won't find anchoring to be the most challenging thing
they do.

I'm trying to point towards a philosophy that will help out the anchoring
OP's. Situations are way too varied to take anything from a fourm like this
by rote. The thing about feeling how the anchor touches down for example.
I don't go up on the bow and go dipping around with the anchor (although it
might have sounded a bit like that). It's just part of a philosophy of
paying attention to the little things. A clink might be an early warning
that the plan may need some modification.

Planning ahead means already knowing what you are going to do if the anchor
doesn't grab. Even if you have a crew, it may be hard to get them up to
speed on your new plan, especially if you lose precious time making it up.

Eventually, things to go wrong. The boat blows off the wrong way, the
anchor doesn't grab. Even then, it's amazing how much better the mind works
and how much time there really is if you learn to keep mentally processing
at optimum speed instead of blasting off into panic overdrive. Boats move a
lot slower in these situations than it seems when things aren't working out
as expected.

It's all about learning how to think and plan, not creating a mental list of
"If this happens, do this." items.

-- Tom.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

At the bottom .. bottom posting ...
==============================================
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
Geoff Schultz" geoff"at wrote:

Statments like this make me think that you haven't anchored all that
much.

Well, obviously not as much as someone like yourself but enought to know
how to do it. I'll admit though that I've neve anchored in your part of
the world and things may be different. Putting on the wet suit, the
weights, and diving down to set the anchor isn't very common up here in 60
degree water:).

It was sort of a joke about the tight anchorage. Sometimes you just don't
have a choice but I've watched lots of people try to squeeze into someone
else's swinging room just to save themselves another 50 yards of dinghy
trip.

I'm just trying to make the point (and not actually directed at you who
clearly knows everything that could ever be necessary to know about the
subjet) that avoiding difficulties when you can, planning ahead, and
recognizing that technique is as important as the shape of the anchor will
make it a lot easier and less intimidating for those who are new to it.
Even in Maine where standards are high, about 80% if the boats will just
let it go and then head aft for cocktails.

--
Roger Long
================================================== ========

Roger ,, I anchored all last summer. Not because I wanted to; had no home.
When you are a homeless sailor, anchoring becomes the same as picking up the
mooring.

Since I sail alone .. I would plan ahead. No scary anchorages for me. I
only want to drop the hook into quick sand. Or mud.

The picking up .. now that is the hard part. I have no anchor windless, so
I go forward and start pulling, and pulling and pulling.

The nervous part is when the anchor lets go,, you can feel it in the hands.
That is when I put it in high anchor gear. Get er done.

So far I have been lucky.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Roger Long" wrote in news:45d88955$0$5792
:

60 degree
water:).


Which day in August does it get that warm??

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

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Roger Long" skrev i en meddelelse
...

"Geoff Schultz" wrote

This is one of those things that's easier said than done. If you're
in a
benign situation, then yes, it is easy. If you've got 20+ kts of
wind and
other boats anchored too close, then it would be a huge challenge.

There's your problem. Why are you anchoring right there?

Well Roger, you might be in a situation, that you are actually anchoring
as one of the first boats with lots of "room" around ... And later
arrivals may make your departure much more challenging. I have often
experienced, that other boats have decided to anchor (pretty close)
behind me ... and when I want to leave, wind and current will have a
tendency to drive the boat backwards directly towards the "later
arriving boat" when I'm trying to secure my anchor in the front of the
boat.

Single handed operation is inherently more risky and that's
especially true
when anchoring around other boats where mistakes can cause harm to
others.


That is also my experience ...

Yes, but it can be done as safely as most multi handed operation is
usually performed.

BTW having someone motoring ahead as an anchor is hauled in is very
risky if it is being handled by hand. Even if you have a windlass,
it's hard on the topside paint.


If the wind is around 10m/s (roughly 20 knots) when you want to leave,
and your boat is 5 - 8 tonnes, it would be nice to have a "little help
from the cockpit": i.e. someones help to make the boat not drift
backwards, but by help of the rudder/propeller/engine keep the boat
"fixed" on the position or even better: Make it move very, very slovly
forwards, so you can take home the rode and anchor without having to be
'Superman' ... Without this help, it can be very difficult, because the
boat starts to drift backwards towards the "later arrivals", as soon as
the anchor does not hold the boat any more, and you still need a few
moments to get he rest of the rode and he anchort on deck and secured
.... Personally (sailing single), I find this situation very challenging
.... and under these circumstances, I wish I had a second person or a
remote controller of the engine and rudder at the same time, to help me
out without any damages ...

I could also decide, to wait until the other boats have departed ... and
this is often my favorite solution ... ;o) ...

-- Geoff


--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:53:38 -0600, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

I'm a
firm believer that if I can pull the anchor out with the motor, then a
good blow can do it too.

Absolutely right, and sooner or later it will happen.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

In article ,
Wayne.B wrote:

On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:53:38 -0600, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

I'm a
firm believer that if I can pull the anchor out with the motor, then a
good blow can do it too.

Absolutely right, and sooner or later it will happen.

Wayne, I hate to betray my ignorance, but I thought anchors were
designed to work so they held due to design and angle of pull and were
simultaneously designed to be relatively easy to retrieve by pulling
them straight up. If such is the case, shouldn't setting an anchor with
an engine be icing on the cake even in a blow (assuming the anchor is
suited to the bottom and weight/design of the boat, the chain is
sufficient to keep the angle correct, the scope is sufficient to
maintain the correct angle, the rode is strong enough not to give, and
the shackles designed for the load)?

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:22:27 -0500, Harlan Lachman
wrote:

I'm a
firm believer that if I can pull the anchor out with the motor, then a
good blow can do it too.

Absolutely right, and sooner or later it will happen.

Wayne, I hate to betray my ignorance, but I thought anchors were
designed to work so they held due to design and angle of pull and were
simultaneously designed to be relatively easy to retrieve by pulling
them straight up. If such is the case, shouldn't setting an anchor with
an engine be icing on the cake even in a blow (assuming the anchor is
suited to the bottom and weight/design of the boat, the chain is
sufficient to keep the angle correct, the scope is sufficient to
maintain the correct angle, the rode is strong enough not to give, and
the shackles designed for the load)?

Harlan, I'm not sure of your experience level so I'll give you a
straight answer. The trick is to ensure that the anchor is set
properly, i.e., firmly dug in. Having the right anchor, rode and
scope is a good start - but if the anchor is not set properly all is
for naught. The whole reason for backing down under power is to
ensure that it will hold under load.

There are many reasons for an anchor not setting - difficult bottom
conditions, wrong anchor type for bottom, anchor landing in a fouled
position for some reason, etc, etc. Unless you test the anchor by
putting a load on it, you really don't know for sure if you are OK or
not.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Geoff Schultz wrote:

I'm a
firm believer that if I can pull the anchor out with the motor, then a
good blow can do it too.


All depends how you set the anchor as well as how you try to pull it out
with the engine.

Lew

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Feb 17, 12:32 pm, Harlan Lachman wrote:
I have been intrigued by the discussion of anchoring --


When by my self I flake 4:1 chain on the deck with the 45lb plow in
the cock pit. Slow down and give a toss. On retrieval ? motor
up...... push my black button............ motor up....... push my
black button......etc. with the anchor hanging on the whats-it I motor
away later to secure anchor on boat. The secrect is the magic button
in the cockpit.
Bob

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Wayne.B wrote:
On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:53:38 -0600, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

I'm a
firm believer that if I can pull the anchor out with the motor, then a
good blow can do it too.

Absolutely right, and sooner or later it will happen.

And do all you guys start the engine and pull at your anchor
when the tide turns, the boat swings, the anchor trips and
resets? Happens about every six hours where I anchor.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Wayne.B" wrote

Harlan, I'm not sure of your experience level so I'll give you a
straight answer. The trick is to ensure that the anchor is set
properly, i.e., firmly dug in. Having the right anchor, rode and
scope is a good start - but if the anchor is not set properly all is
for naught. The whole reason for backing down under power is to
ensure that it will hold under load.

Backing down under power is certainly good a good practice. I do it myself
when the engine is running even though it isn't a very conclusive test on my
boat.

This brings up an interesting historical question which I hope one of the
history buffs among us can answer. What did sailing vessels do before
power? Dragging is even more serious in an unpowered vessel for obvious
reasons.

--
Roger Long

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Roger Long wrote:
....
This brings up an interesting historical question which I hope one of the
history buffs among us can answer. What did sailing vessels do before
power? Dragging is even more serious in an unpowered vessel for obvious
reasons.

They used proper anchors like these on a small boat:
http://www.sv-moonshadow.com/liveabo..._killicks.html

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 06:36:02 -0500, "Roger Long"
wrote:

This brings up an interesting historical question which I hope one of the
history buffs among us can answer. What did sailing vessels do before
power? Dragging is even more serious in an unpowered vessel for obvious
reasons.

Interesting question. Those ships had a lot of windage of course, and
my guess is that they relied on wind, tide, heavy anchors, lots of
chain, and last but not least, a constant look out. They had a lot of
man power on those boats and knew how to use it effectively.

The captains of course knew that they would be court martialed and
probably lose their career if the ship was damaged. The look outs
knew that they could rely on a cat-o-nine tails flogging or a keel
hauling if they were found negligent in their duties. Those were
powerful incentives to getting the job done correctly.

Small boats without power can always back their main sail against the
wind by holding the boom out.

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Roger ,, what did the sailing vessels do? If your talking large ship, then
your talking big/heavy/anchor.

I watched a couple of the schooners anchor last June [?], up near Boothbay
and the anchor was a monster. Once that thing hit the bottom, that was it.

As for smaller vessels. Like my own.... I try to be very picky about the
ground.

This can be a trying time when single handing.

I try to find a spot with lots of room, very deliberately set the anchor
.............

And then hope like hell the darn thing sets.

The picking up ..??? That is a subject that should be covered.

==============================================
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...

"Wayne.B" wrote

Harlan, I'm not sure of your experience level so I'll give you a
straight answer. The trick is to ensure that the anchor is set
properly, i.e., firmly dug in. Having the right anchor, rode and
scope is a good start - but if the anchor is not set properly all is
for naught. The whole reason for backing down under power is to
ensure that it will hold under load.

Backing down under power is certainly good a good practice. I do it
myself when the engine is running even though it isn't a very conclusive
test on my boat.

This brings up an interesting historical question which I hope one of the
history buffs among us can answer. What did sailing vessels do before
power? Dragging is even more serious in an unpowered vessel for obvious
reasons.

--
Roger Long

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

In article ,
lid wrote:

"capt.bill11" wrote:
You just use a power windlass with a self dropping anchor with a up/
down switch at the helm.

Every self respecting 100' yacht should have one ;-)
Seriously though, on smallish boats, say 25' or less, I've found a
windlass to be more trouble than it's worth.

Rick

I agree, except for the size. I have found windlasses to be a bother
with modern designs at 32' or below, say about 5 tons. In the rare cases
where we're leaving an anchorage in enough wind to make hauling
difficult, either Pat twiddles the motor controls or I shift the rode to
the stern and haul with the genny winch.

--
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/

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Jere Lull" skrev i en meddelelse
...
In article ,
lid wrote:

"capt.bill11" wrote:
You just use a power windlass with a self dropping anchor with a up/
down switch at the helm.

SNIP

I agree, except for the size. I have found windlasses to be a bother
with modern designs at 32' or below, say about 5 tons. In the rare
cases
where we're leaving an anchorage in enough wind to make hauling
difficult, either Pat twiddles the motor controls or I shift the rode
to
the stern and haul with the genny winch.

How do you handle this situation, if you're the only person on the boat?
I mean, how do you get the anchor in place with the chain/rode, without
damaging the freeboard?

--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

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

In the rare cases where we're leaving an anchorage in enough wind
to make hauling difficult, either Pat twiddles the motor controls
or I shift the rode to the stern and haul with the genny winch.

How do you handle this situation, if you're the only person on the
boat? I mean, how do you get the anchor in place with the chain/rode,
without damaging the freeboard?

Lead the free rode back to the aft fairlead and winch, release the rode
at the bow & haul.

Truth be told, I did that only for practice as it's messy and I hardly
ever find myself needing to leave an anchorage in winds that high. DID
do it a couple of times to free a very deeply set anchor.

About my most difficult hand-haul was in the BVI on a Beneteau 33 in
about 25 knots (Christmas winds). By simply hauling only when the rode
was a little freer from our sailing around, snubbing the rest of the
time, it didn't take much effort, though it took a while.

If I'm in a hurry, I'll lash the tiller amidships, put the engine in
gear just enough to ease the tension slightly, then haul from the bow.
Once we're *near* free, I'll walk back, kick the boat out of gear, then
finish up on the anchor. It's easy to bring an anchor in from about 2:1
if there's any wave action, which you'll have in those winds.

--
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/

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Jere Lull" skrev i en meddelelse
...
In article ,
"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark wrote:

In the rare cases where we're leaving an anchorage in enough wind
to make hauling difficult, either Pat twiddles the motor controls
or I shift the rode to the stern and haul with the genny winch.

How do you handle this situation, if you're the only person on the
boat? I mean, how do you get the anchor in place with the chain/rode,
without damaging the freeboard?

Lead the free rode back to the aft fairlead and winch, release the
rode
at the bow & haul.

SNIP

If I'm in a hurry, I'll lash the tiller amidships, put the engine in
gear just enough to ease the tension slightly, then haul from the bow.
Once we're *near* free, I'll walk back, kick the boat out of gear,
then
finish up on the anchor. It's easy to bring an anchor in from about
2:1
if there's any wave action, which you'll have in those winds.

Thank you for your explanation. The last idea, I have tried with some
success ... but my back does not like it ...

Due to language problems on my part, I'm sure I fully understand your
first procedure, because, I don't know, what a fairled is ... Sorry. Is
it some kind of wheel og "thing", that keeps the rode/chain and the
anchor free of the side/stern? What I find pretty difficult is not to
scratch the glass fibre side (called freeboard?), when i use the winch
for the spinaker/genua. Hauling from the bow, the rode and the anchor
goes (almost) free of the sides of the boat.

--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

Sorry for misformulation ... see below ...

"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark skrev i en meddelelse
. ..

"Jere Lull" skrev i en meddelelse
...
In article ,
"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark wrote:

In the rare cases where we're leaving an anchorage in enough wind
to make hauling difficult, either Pat twiddles the motor controls
or I shift the rode to the stern and haul with the genny winch.

How do you handle this situation, if you're the only person on the
boat? I mean, how do you get the anchor in place with the
chain/rode,
without damaging the freeboard?

Lead the free rode back to the aft fairlead and winch, release the
rode
at the bow & haul.

SNIP

If I'm in a hurry, I'll lash the tiller amidships, put the engine in
gear just enough to ease the tension slightly, then haul from the
bow.
Once we're *near* free, I'll walk back, kick the boat out of gear,
then
finish up on the anchor. It's easy to bring an anchor in from about
2:1
if there's any wave action, which you'll have in those winds.

Thank you for your explanation. The last idea, I have tried with some
success ... but my back does not like it ...

Due to language problems on my part, I'm sure I fully understand your

Unfortunately, I've forgotten a not ... so the meaning is:

I'm *not* sure I fully understand your .... sorry for the confusion ...

first procedure, because, I don't know, what a fairled is ... Sorry.
Is it some kind of wheel og "thing", that keeps the rode/chain and the
anchor free of the side/stern? What I find pretty difficult is not to
scratch the glass fibre side (called freeboard?), when i use the winch
for the spinaker/genua. Hauling from the bow, the rode and the anchor
goes (almost) free of the sides of the boat.

--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Jere Lull" wrote:
Once we're *near* free, I'll walk back, kick the boat out of gear,
then
finish up on the anchor. It's easy to bring an anchor in from about
2:1
if there's any wave action, which you'll have in those winds.

"Flemming Torp" wrote:
Thank you for your explanation. The last idea, I have tried with some
success ... but my back does not like it ...

Don't use your back. Just take a wrap around the cleat or Sampson
post or whatever you have there. Take up the slack as the bow falls
and just hold the wrap as the bow rises. Let the boat do the back
breaking work. Once the anchor pops free, you can haul it in no prob.

Rick

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

skrev i en meddelelse
...
"Jere Lull" wrote:
Once we're *near* free, I'll walk back, kick the boat out of gear,
then
finish up on the anchor. It's easy to bring an anchor in from about
2:1
if there's any wave action, which you'll have in those winds.

"Flemming Torp" wrote:
Thank you for your explanation. The last idea, I have tried with some
success ... but my back does not like it ...

Don't use your back. Just take a wrap around the cleat or Sampson
post or whatever you have there. Take up the slack as the bow falls
and just hold the wrap as the bow rises. Let the boat do the back
breaking work. Once the anchor pops free, you can haul it in no prob.

Rick

Sounds good to me - Agree ... though: The situation, I have in mind is
something like wind/current from the bow corresponding to an effect of
some 20 knots or more ... If you are anchoring at - say - 8 meters, and
the engine helps you moving forward, then - even with a ratio of 2:1 -
you still have to haul in about 15 meters of chain and the anchor -
which under these circumstances often is "pretty much stuck" in the
bottom ... As of now, I don't have a windlass at the bow, and it is not
that easy - in my opinion - to wrap and unwrap the chain around the
cleat ... But I admit, that's what I've been doing for years ...

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 ...

--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Flemming Torp" wrote:
even with a ratio of 2:1 -
you still have to haul in about 15 meters of chain and the anchor -

Yep. When it pops free, you have to be quick about it. Hand over hand,
leave it in a pile on the deck and tidy up later.

it is not
that easy - in my opinion - to wrap and unwrap the chain around the
cleat ...

Granted.... rope is easier.

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

Another tactic I've used in a tight situation, take in as much rode as
you can without breaking the anchor free. Then, veeery slowly, drive
over the top of it and just keep right on going, bouncing the anchor
along the bottom, being careful to not foul it in your prop, until you
have room to drift while you properly take care of the anchor.
Obviously, all sorts of things can go wrong doing this, but desperate
times call for desperate measures. I've resorted to it a number of
times when there was simply no other way.

Rick

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

skrev i en meddelelse
...
"Flemming Torp" wrote:
even with a ratio of 2:1 -
you still have to haul in about 15 meters of chain and the anchor -

Yep. When it pops free, you have to be quick about it. Hand over hand,
leave it in a pile on the deck and tidy up later.

it is not
that easy - in my opinion - to wrap and unwrap the chain around the
cleat ...

Granted.... rope is easier.

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

Another tactic I've used in a tight situation, take in as much rode as
you can without breaking the anchor free. Then, veeery slowly, drive
over the top of it and just keep right on going, bouncing the anchor
along the bottom, being careful to not foul it in your prop, until you
have room to drift while you properly take care of the anchor.
Obviously, all sorts of things can go wrong doing this, but desperate
times call for desperate measures. I've resorted to it a number of
times when there was simply no other way.

Rick

Been there, done that ... But I'm certainly not at all comfortable about
this procedure. But as you say ... "desperate times etc." ... And that
"trick" isn't exactly what Roger Long is recommending, I'm sure ... ;o)
....
Anyway, isn't it exactly in one of these situations Murphy shows up and
teaches us: "What can go wrong ... will"???
I'm afraid it is not a question of if ... but when ... hasn't happend
yet ... but ...

--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Single Handed Anchoring off the bow
 

"Flemming Torp" fletopkanelbolle2rp.danmark wrote in message
. ..

skrev i en meddelelse
...
"Flemming Torp" wrote:
even with a ratio of 2:1 -
you still have to haul in about 15 meters of chain and the anchor -

Yep. When it pops free, you have to be quick about it. Hand over hand,
leave it in a pile on the deck and tidy up later.

it is not
that easy - in my opinion - to wrap and unwrap the chain around the
cleat ...

Granted.... rope is easier.

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

Another tactic I've used in a tight situation, take in as much rode as
you can without breaking the anchor free. Then, veeery slowly, drive
over the top of it and just keep right on going, bouncing the anchor
along the bottom, being careful to not foul it in your prop, until you
have room to drift while you properly take care of the anchor.
Obviously, all sorts of things can go wrong doing this, but desperate
times call for desperate measures. I've resorted to it a number of
times when there was simply no other way.

Rick

Been there, done that ... But I'm certainly not at all comfortable about
this procedure. But as you say ... "desperate times etc." ... And that
"trick" isn't exactly what Roger Long is recommending, I'm sure ... ;o)
...
Anyway, isn't it exactly in one of these situations Murphy shows up and
teaches us: "What can go wrong ... will"???
I'm afraid it is not a question of if ... but when ... hasn't happend yet
... but ...

--
Flemming Torp
Gimle/DEN-61

Ya, this can work really good until you pass over that submerged wreck, eh?