| In another article we reviewed the 5 classes of | | | | keep her moving slightly. When you have sufficient |
| anchors and how to pick out the one best suited for | | | | rode out. Stop the trawler's reverse speed. |
| your needs. In this posting, we will discuss how to | | | | Some boating "experts" take a firm stand that it takes |
| properly set that anchor. | | | | a scope of 7:1 rode to safely hold a boat. That would |
| Logic would have it that dropping and setting an | | | | equate to 7 foot of rode for every 1 foot of water |
| anchor is simply nothing more than lowering the anchor, | | | | depth. For example, to properly anchor in 10 feet of |
| setting out some line and kick back and start having | | | | water, would require 70 feet of anchor rode. But we |
| fun. Not so fast! | | | | routinely anchor the Patricia Ann in 15 foot waters with |
| To function, an anchor must set in the sea bed | | | | a 35 lb. CQR anchor and 5/16 inch chain rode. We |
| sufficiently to endure the wind and the tides. The | | | | usually deploy 50 feet of rode and have never had a |
| anchor's ability to function is totally dependent upon this. | | | | dragging anchor even in some 25-30 mph winds. I |
| We will assume that you have aboard your yacht, the | | | | suspect that the more chain you use, the greater the |
| best anchor for your intended sea bed conditions. And | | | | holding power as the rode is pulling more horizontal to |
| of course, we will assume you have plenty of rode to | | | | the sea floor and the chain further provides additional |
| play out the anchor. | | | | weight. |
| As you approach your chosen anchorage, always | | | | When you have the proper amount of rode out, you |
| allow plenty of swing room. Tides, currents and the | | | | now have to set it. On our trawler, we use an electric |
| winds will swing the trawler; always allow enough | | | | windlass designed for chain. The windlass has no |
| room to avoid striking other boats that may be | | | | locking device so the chain will continue to be deployed |
| anchored near you or any piers or land that might be | | | | if enough force from the trawler is applied. Your |
| close. Be sure to estimate how far you'll be from your | | | | windlass may be different but you must make certain |
| anchor when it is set. | | | | that you can secure the rode so no more will be |
| When you have chosen the best place to anchor, | | | | deployed. |
| place the bow into the wind and or current and slowly | | | | We use a nylon bridle (25 ft 5/8 inch dock line) to both |
| bring her to a stop. Look at other anchored boats to | | | | stop further chain deployment and furnish some |
| get a feel of the tides if necessary. | | | | elasticity to the rode to reduce the shock of passing |
| On our trawler, the Patricia Ann, we have all chain | | | | boat's wakes. A stainless shackle is attached to the |
| rode. We have marked the rode every 25 feet with | | | | line. The shackle is attached to the chain and lowered |
| red string. The initial 25 feet is marked with 1 string, the | | | | to the water line and the other end is fastened to the |
| second with 2 and so forth. The strings make letting | | | | king post. Be sure to use chafing gear where needed. |
| out enough rode easier. | | | | If you are using nylon rode, you will not need to use a |
| When you are in position, begin letting out the anchor | | | | bridle. If you are using a metal cable, you can use a |
| rode. Your boat will start drifting with the current. When | | | | cable or wire puller to fasten a bridle to it. |
| you have played out enough rode to place your | | | | Once the bridle is secured, the trawler is backed-down |
| anchor on the bottom, bump the engines into reverse | | | | until the anchor is set. |
| to begin laying the rode out. We just do not want the | | | | Finally, the rode is lowered a bit more allowing the bridle |
| anchor and rode lying in a pile on the sea bed. Don't | | | | to hold the boat. |
| keep the trawlers engines in reverse, you just want to | | | | |