[Rhodes22-list] anchoring

Tue Sep 16 12:07:32 EDT 2008

Peter,

I know you know the difference, but most people don't.  I watch power 
boaters push the button on their windlasses, drop their anchors and a 
pile of chain into the water, and later get frantic because they are 
"dragging the anchor". 

Actually, they are in 12 feet of water experiencing an 8 foot tidal 
change with a 25 foot long pile of chain sitting atop a 75 lb anchor.  
When the wind, current or tide shifts they actually start dragging 
chain--their anchors are never set.

The problem has reached such proportions our town now provides temporary 
moorings for them, as do most places frequented by inexperienced boaters.

There are many multiple anchor schemes suggested to deal with changing 
wind direction.  I have been kept quite safe by my mushroom anchor, 
which, by the way, immediately sets in mud as soon as it is pulled off 
its 90 degree axis.  It digs deeper and deeper, but can be yanked free 
by a boat the size of an R-22 if the chain wraps around the stem and 
then there is a tidal change greater than the slack on the remaining rode.

Bill Effros

Peter Thorn wrote:
> Bill,
>
> In coastal NC when people use "dragging the anchor" it means the anchor has
> broken loose (usually from a mud bottom) from a previously good set.  Most
> often the pull direction changes as a result of changing wind or current.
> Tropical storm Hannah, a non-event compared to Ike, brought 60 mph winds to
> the creek and this caused two boats (out of 75-100) to drag their anchors
> and wash into the marsh.   I think you are discussing lunch anchoring.
>
> Regards,
>
> PT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Bill Effros
> Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:59 AM
> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] anchoring
>
> Ben,
>
> In order to set the anchor you must put tension on it.  This pulls the 
> rode taut.  When there is no wind or current, the rode will lie flat on 
> the bottom, or float to the surface if it is a floating rode.  But it is 
> not holding the boat in place.
>
> What most people call "dragging the anchor" is usually "dragging the 
> chain".  If you fail to set your anchor -- which you will fail to set 
> properly if you never draw the rode taut -- you can drag the chain all 
> over the place, without ever properly setting the anchor.  If you draw 
> the rode taut and properly set the anchor it just won't drag. 
>
> A very small anchor can be used to hold a very large boat in place if 
> the anchor is properly set.  It is much easier to set an anchor with an 
> all rope rode.  The chain portion of the rode does not change the angle 
> of pull.
>
> Bill Effros
>
>
>
>
>
> ben wrote:
>   
>> << The chain portion of the rode does not change the angle of pull.>>
>>
>> Of course it does.  Unless your boat is being pushed by a very strong wind
>> or current, and assuming you've let out enough rode, the chain is lying
>>     
> very
>   
>> close to the bottom.  The entire rode arcs up to the boat in a parabola --
>> not in a taut straight line.
>>
>> If you charter in the Caribbean, it's easy to see first hand in the clear
>> water.  \\
>>
>> Ben S
>> Velvet Elvis
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Bill Effros
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:53 AM
>> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] anchoring
>>
>> Joe,
>>
>> Don't know if you saw my rants regarding Practical Sailor and anchors.  
>> In a nutshell, I don't think they know what they are talking about.
>>
>> They test anchors using a winch mounted on the shore and dragging 
>> anchors through the same loosened mud over and over.  This is not the 
>> way an anchor should be set.  The tests favor the anchors first pulled 
>> through the mud, and heavy plow type anchors pulled through 
>> subsequently.  All the anchors were not the same weight.
>>
>> The chain portion of the rode does not change the angle of pull.  
>> Whether the rode is rope or chain, it is pulled taut -- the angle is 
>> determined by other factors you set, primarily the length of the rode 
>> between the boat and the anchor.
>>
>> Bill Effros
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe Babb wrote:
>>   
>>     
>>> Elle,
>>> Sounds like Slim's got the answer.   He has experience with the Delta 
>>> and says it is good in weeds.  As far as anchor rode goes, I'm gonna 
>>> stick with a short length of chain between anchor and nylon because the 
>>> chain helps hold the anchor at a good angle to dig in.  Lots of tests by 
>>> folks like Practical Sailor magazine back that up.  That's usually what 
>>> a kellet is used for if you have to anchor with short scope, to hold the 
>>> anchor at a better angle.
>>> Best,
>>> Joe
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