[Rhodes22-list] Playing at Anchor

[Bill Effros]

Rob,

It sure is nice to see passion about something other than politics!

I had not expected to enter this discussion before next winter, when I 
planned to be writing more and sailing less.  I have not yet tested most 
of the anchoring theories that interest me.

Stan believes the R-22 should be bow-heavy for best sailing results.  I 
have always thought that is why the heavy, vinyl-clad anchor is sitting 
on the bow rail.  Mine isn't even attached to rode.  I never use it.  
It's a lousy anchor.  The vinyl cladding dulls the points on the flukes, 
making the anchor difficult to set.  I don't think the anchor works much 
better than a cinder block of the same weight. (On the other hand, a 
cinder block wouldn't look as good.)

As you may remember, I mentioned six or eight months ago that I had more 
than a half-dozen anchors on board, and planned to test them out this 
summer.  The first one I tested was the 1 1/2 pound folding grapnel, and 
it worked much better than I ever thought it would.  It will work just 
fine as a lunch hook, and you will never hesitate to use it.  I plan to 
test the 3 lb. next to see if doubling the weight of the anchor and 
increasing the distance between the flukes changes either the ability to 
set and reset, or the reluctance to drop an anchor because of the 
perceived difficulty of retrieval.

I can strongly recommend stern anchoring as a technique that will keep 
both you and your boat safe.  It looks a little goofy, but it works.  If 
you are in an anchorage where everyone else is bow anchored, you may 
want to walk your anchor line up to your bow cleat for appearance' sake.

When it comes time to raise the anchor, do it from the stern, again.  
Walk the line back.  Raise the anchor 5 feet or so off the bottom, and 
immediately start moving the boat slowly forward, either under motor or 
sail.  Once the boat is again firmly under your control, raise the 
anchor the rest of the way.  The key here is that you don't drift while 
wrestling with an unnecessarily heavy anchor.

I stow the anchor and rode in a Rubbermaid container under the port seat 
in the cockpit, where I can get to it, and deploy it, literally in seconds.

Please note, if you have never used a folding grapnel before, the 
locking ring that protects you from the tines while the anchor is 
folded, must be slid down the shaft of the anchor and locked in the 
lower position while anchoring.  This keeps the tines properly splayed, 
and is essential for effective anchoring.

Bill Effros







Rob Lowe wrote:

>Bill,
>I think I'm ready to try your methods after the hassle I had anchoring this
>past weekend.  We were out and wanted to take a quick dip so we found a
>little cove off to the side of the lake.  All I have is the fluke type
>anchor that came with the boat and hangs off the bow.  Well, it's a pain to
>deploy just to get to it, off it's mount, and into the water.  The wind was
>such that we were being blown into shore so that when it was time to leave I
>had my wife prepare to motor as I pulled up the anchor.  As soon as it
>lifted off the bottom we started drifting so I had her put the motor in
>gear.  Well, now I'm stuck trying to pull up a heavy anchor (much more than
>I needed at the time) while it's sailing under water.  We finally got far
>enough off shore so we could stop and pull the anchor back on board and
>afterwards I was worn out.  Then to have to crawl into the V-berth to stow
>the rode back into it's bucket.  I like the idea of a 1 1/2 pounder tied to
>the stern and stowed in the laz.  Where we sail is a lake with no currents
>and not much wind.  I'll keep the big anchor for if and when I'd ever need
>it, but something just to hold the boat while we get wet sounds like a nice
>idea.
>
>Rob Lowe
>S/V Getaway
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
>To: "Rik Sandberg" <sanderico at earthlink.net>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
><rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:58 AM
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Playing at Anchor
>
>
>  
>
>>Rik,
>>
>>
>>First you stop the boat.  Then you drop the anchor.  Then you set it by
>>moving the boat backward.  My 1 1/2 pound folding grapnel anchor hits
>>the bottom at the exact same time as whatever you drop overboard--chain
>>or no chain.  Physics 101.
>>
>>    
>>
>>But it is really simple to test, and doesn't cost very much.  West sells
>>folding 1 1/2 lb. grapnels for less than $12.  Attach it to some clothes
>>line with a bowline knot.  You will be amazed at how well it sets, and
>>just like light fishing tackle, you can really feel the "fish" on the
>>bottom, even though you may not be able to see it.
>>
>>I am not spreading this advice around hoping that anyone will take it
>>seriously.  I am merely suggesting that anyone who thinks I am wrong go
>>out with a cheap simple anchor and try it out for themselves.  After
>>that, they can draw their own conclusions, and if their experience does
>>not mirror mine I ask that they tell me what happened so that I won't
>>make the same mistake.
>>
>>Bill Effros
>>
>>    
>>
>
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