[Rhodes22-list] Anchor Chain Question

[Bill Effros]

Peter,

As mentioned previously, my boat is on a mooring when it's in the 
water--a 300 lb. mushroom anchor with properly sized ground tackle 
pulled and inspected once every 3 years--which is a harbor master 
condition for all boats in our harbor, so I know the anchor and tackle 
will hold, and everyone else's is going to hold, too.

One night, out of curiosity, I decided to stay on board when I knew a 
good blow was coming through, just to see what it would be like.  It is 
not an experience I ever intend to repeat.

The wind was in the 30 kt. range.  The harbor is sheltered, so the waves 
never get much beyond 1-2 feet, but the tidal range is 9 feet, so a lot 
of water funnels in and out at a pretty good clip.  Once the decision is 
made to stay on board, its a very very bad idea to change your mind.

Intellectually I knew the boat had been through these conditions many 
times in the past without incident--the only difference was that I was 
on board.  No pop-top enclosure.  Everything battened down as if I were 
not on board.

The boat creaked and strained all night long.  If anything gave way, it 
was going to give way with a "snap"--and I was quite sure I didn't want 
to be on board if that happened.  I didn't think I was going to die, and 
I thought nothing would give way that night...probably.  But I was not a 
happy sailor; I got very little sleep; and I couldn't formulate any 
reasonable plan for what I might do if something happened.  I just hoped 
nothing would happen, and nothing did.

If I had set anchors, I couldn't have checked them. (I surely would have 
set multiple anchors.)  That would have added to my anxiety.  The boat 
has fouled the mushroom anchor in the past and lifted it right out of 
the bottom.  I checked it for fouling before I went below.

I have heaved-to (hoven-to?) under similar conditions, and it was a 
delightful piece of cake.  I ate a casual meal, listened to my stereo, 
and could sail my boat exactly where I wanted it to be for hours on 
end.  My pond is big enough (Long Island Sound) so that I can stay off 
lee shores for enough time to catch a little sleep.

If I ever see conditions like those coming again I will surely get off 
my boat if I can.  If I can't, I will find open water and heave to. 

Bill

Peter Thorn wrote:

>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
>>>
>>>__________________________________________________
>>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>__________________________________________________
>>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>>    
>>
>
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>  
>