[Rhodes22-list] Anchor Chain Question

[Peter Thorn]

Bill,

What are the worst conditions you have experienced at anchor?  Have you ever
been caught out in 30+ winds and waves?  If so, how did you anchor?  Just
curious.

PT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 7:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Anchor Chain Question


> Bill,
>
> I've got the Fortress FX11, and I think it's a terrific anchor.  I also
> have the smallest Guardian anchor, which I store in a pouch,
> unassembled, and I've been very happy with that one also.
>
> I think those people know a lot about anchors, and I would be inclined
> to follow their recommendations.
>
> I have several lines with differing amounts of chain on each, and
> several with no chain at all.  I find I always go for the no chain at
> all, because I've never had any trouble with it, and it's so much easier
> to handle.
>
> The trick to anchoring (as with so many other things) is practice.  Try
> setting your anchor when it's not critical.  See if you have enough
> navigation skill to be able to determine if your anchor is dragging.
>
> When it's really blowing you shouldn't be on our boats in the first
> place.  Anchoring and praying is not the answer.  If you are trapped in
> a situation like this, and can't get to shore, head for open water and
> heave-to.  Practice heaving-to, too.  Work with the elements, not
> against them.
>
> The guy who developed those anchors recommends setting 2 at 180 degrees
> apart and tying both off on the bow.  Then neither one will have to
> reset if current or wind shifts.  Differing lengths of chain will  not
> matter, longer scope can be set because the boat will rotate in a much
> smaller arc relative to other boats.
>
> Avoid anchor overkill.  That goes for the chain, too.
>
> Bill Effros
>
>
>
>
> William E. Wickman wrote:
>
> >I just got my nifty Fortress FX7 anchor.  The instructions that came with
> >the anchor said to use a short length of anchor chain (6 feet of chain if
> >anchoring in 25' of water or less, and add another 6 feet of chain for
each
> >additional 25' of depth).  Their claim is that chain anchor rodes lack
the
> >shock absorbancy of nylon rope when the wind increases.  This advice runs
> >contrary to what I have been reading in the Rhodes FAQ that most of you
are
> >using around 20 feet of chain.  So, does the Fortress require less chain
> >because it is so light?  What gives?  I presume that these anchor guys
know
> >what they are talking about, but...
> >
> >Also, since I have 20 feet of chain that I use with my gbi anchor, what
are
> >the dynamics of using shorter chain on a second anchor when setting two
> >anchors?  Does it really matter?
> >
> >B. Wickman
> >
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> >
> >
> >
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