I know we've discussed this before but I just can't "lay my hands on it" in the CCDOA Archives. I have a CD27 with a Fortress anchor (weighs only 10 pounds) on 20ft of 1/4" chain and 200ft of 1/2 rode. NO BOWSPRIT. NO WINDLASS. NO ROLLER. Anchor is kept on a bracket on bow rail. Launching the anchor we've discussed. Either standard way from bow, or rigging the rode back to cockpit so anchor and be dropped from cockpit when single handing. Now, remember, I use the "armstrong" anchor retrieval system. Let's say you have 80 ft of scope out and now its time to weigh anchor and move on. Boat has an inboard diesel and you are out there all alone. What techniques do you single handers like to use for retrieving the anchor?
Thanks
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, New York
Setsail728@aol.com
Single Handed Anchor Retrieval
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Boyd
Re: Single Handed Anchor Retrieval
Hi Warren..
I do it this way...
First bend a second line on to the anchor line out past any part of the boat. I lead this line back to the cockpit on the side I think will be easiest to retreve the anchor.
I then motor toward the anchor and pull on the line at the same time. I motor in idle and head to the opposite side of the anchor that the second line is on. In other words if my line is on the port side of the cockpit I motor to the starboard of the anchor. I want the anchor just off of my port quarter as the anchor line becomes vertical. I pull up the slack until the anchor line is vertical and the anchor breaks. If its stubborn I will cleat it off at the jib sheet cleat and motor past the anchor. Put the transmission in neutral and retreve the last of the anchor line and anchor. Clean up the mess of line and go on with life.. Like everything else a little practice with someone else on board helps.
Boyd
s/v Tern
cd30MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Boyd@wbta.cc
I do it this way...
First bend a second line on to the anchor line out past any part of the boat. I lead this line back to the cockpit on the side I think will be easiest to retreve the anchor.
I then motor toward the anchor and pull on the line at the same time. I motor in idle and head to the opposite side of the anchor that the second line is on. In other words if my line is on the port side of the cockpit I motor to the starboard of the anchor. I want the anchor just off of my port quarter as the anchor line becomes vertical. I pull up the slack until the anchor line is vertical and the anchor breaks. If its stubborn I will cleat it off at the jib sheet cleat and motor past the anchor. Put the transmission in neutral and retreve the last of the anchor line and anchor. Clean up the mess of line and go on with life.. Like everything else a little practice with someone else on board helps.
Boyd
s/v Tern
cd30MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Warren Kaplan wrote: I know we've discussed this before but I just can't "lay my hands on it" in the CCDOA Archives. I have a CD27 with a Fortress anchor (weighs only 10 pounds) on 20ft of 1/4" chain and 200ft of 1/2 rode. NO BOWSPRIT. NO WINDLASS. NO ROLLER. Anchor is kept on a bracket on bow rail. Launching the anchor we've discussed. Either standard way from bow, or rigging the rode back to cockpit so anchor and be dropped from cockpit when single handing. Now, remember, I use the "armstrong" anchor retrieval system. Let's say you have 80 ft of scope out and now its time to weigh anchor and move on. Boat has an inboard diesel and you are out there all alone. What techniques do you single handers like to use for retrieving the anchor?
Thanks
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, New York
Boyd@wbta.cc
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Larry DeMers
Re: Single Handed Anchor Retrieval
Warren,
While I am not a single-hander, I have raised anchor while Jan is still lazing away in bed. Usually I do it with the main raised and pulled in tight, outhaul tight to keep the power to a minimum. I lock the wheel in neutral, allow the boat to fall off with the wind, and start to make progress towards the anchor. This has to be on the order of 1/2 - 1 kt. or so, or you will be overriding the rode.
I start by retrieving the unloaded part of the rode quickly, then put a small strain on the rode and start the bow coming throught the wind on the opposite tack. Retrieve the rode as you can, and repeat this tug and tack move at the other end of your tack, back and forth, creeping up on the anchor.
The final tack should be thought out ahead of time, as you will then clear the anchorage on this tack, so make it the one you need..not da udder one! (important to avoid social embarassments). Hold the rode as short as possible and let the boats momentum override the anchor a bit. You will feel it lift out of the bottom as a series of high frequency vibrations (you know this already)..then retrieve as normal. You should be on a nice **slow** heading out of the anchorage, and because of the quiet caused by being engineless, all you will hear is the applause of the neighboring boats (no kidding..it happened!).
The best part is Jan's expression when she comes up to the cockpit and sees that we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto. There is an moment of rubbing the eyes, looking at me, then at the lake..back and forth. But she got an extra hour or so of sack time..not a bad deal.
With an engine, I would simply prepare the boat for retrieval ahead of time (open the chain pipe to receive the chain, pull the lock down fixture that holds the anchor in place once onboard,etc).
Next put the boat into gear and get some way-on..perhaps 1/2 -1 kt. then return to neutral, with a locked helm, and the boat aimed at the last known location of the anchor. Retrieve the rode with an extra little energy on each pull, which will translate into forward energy for the boat. As you approach the anchor, begin taking the chain in faster and faster (well, to a point..no breaking land speed records here), untl you are over the anchor. Cleat the chain down and allow the boat to override the anchor, breaking it out..then finish up the retrieval and scoot back to the tiller to get the boat headed out of the anchorage.
That's it I think..at least up here in cold country.
Larry DeMers
demers@sgi.com
While I am not a single-hander, I have raised anchor while Jan is still lazing away in bed. Usually I do it with the main raised and pulled in tight, outhaul tight to keep the power to a minimum. I lock the wheel in neutral, allow the boat to fall off with the wind, and start to make progress towards the anchor. This has to be on the order of 1/2 - 1 kt. or so, or you will be overriding the rode.
I start by retrieving the unloaded part of the rode quickly, then put a small strain on the rode and start the bow coming throught the wind on the opposite tack. Retrieve the rode as you can, and repeat this tug and tack move at the other end of your tack, back and forth, creeping up on the anchor.
The final tack should be thought out ahead of time, as you will then clear the anchorage on this tack, so make it the one you need..not da udder one! (important to avoid social embarassments). Hold the rode as short as possible and let the boats momentum override the anchor a bit. You will feel it lift out of the bottom as a series of high frequency vibrations (you know this already)..then retrieve as normal. You should be on a nice **slow** heading out of the anchorage, and because of the quiet caused by being engineless, all you will hear is the applause of the neighboring boats (no kidding..it happened!).
The best part is Jan's expression when she comes up to the cockpit and sees that we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto. There is an moment of rubbing the eyes, looking at me, then at the lake..back and forth. But she got an extra hour or so of sack time..not a bad deal.
With an engine, I would simply prepare the boat for retrieval ahead of time (open the chain pipe to receive the chain, pull the lock down fixture that holds the anchor in place once onboard,etc).
Next put the boat into gear and get some way-on..perhaps 1/2 -1 kt. then return to neutral, with a locked helm, and the boat aimed at the last known location of the anchor. Retrieve the rode with an extra little energy on each pull, which will translate into forward energy for the boat. As you approach the anchor, begin taking the chain in faster and faster (well, to a point..no breaking land speed records here), untl you are over the anchor. Cleat the chain down and allow the boat to override the anchor, breaking it out..then finish up the retrieval and scoot back to the tiller to get the boat headed out of the anchorage.
That's it I think..at least up here in cold country.
Larry DeMers
Warren Kaplan wrote: I know we've discussed this before but I just can't "lay my hands on it" in the CCDOA Archives. I have a CD27 with a Fortress anchor (weighs only 10 pounds) on 20ft of 1/4" chain and 200ft of 1/2 rode. NO BOWSPRIT. NO WINDLASS. NO ROLLER. Anchor is kept on a bracket on bow rail. Launching the anchor we've discussed. Either standard way from bow, or rigging the rode back to cockpit so anchor and be dropped from cockpit when single handing. Now, remember, I use the "armstrong" anchor retrieval system. Let's say you have 80 ft of scope out and now its time to weigh anchor and move on. Boat has an inboard diesel and you are out there all alone. What techniques do you single handers like to use for retrieving the anchor?
Thanks
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, New York
demers@sgi.com
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Will W.
Re: Single Handed Anchor Retrieval
Hi Warren
My experience anchoring is pretty limited to very shallow mud holes with exellent holding and nothing to run into as I do what I need to to get the anchor up. I have also been lucky in that those few times the wind did not shift in the night. I start the engine and leave it in neutral then I go up and Armstrong the anchor up. Depending on how long I think I can drift safely I spend some time cleaning and putting away the anchor and then motor out of the anchorage. Once I had very little time and so I just layed everythingon the foredeck then cleaned up after I got to clear space.
.
There was a device featured in the July 2002 Sail Magazine's "Things That Work". It is a Lever action Anchor Puller on page 78. It looks like something that would work. I'll fax you the page if you like.
Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25
Sailing From Chesapeake Beach, MD
willwheatley@starpower.net
My experience anchoring is pretty limited to very shallow mud holes with exellent holding and nothing to run into as I do what I need to to get the anchor up. I have also been lucky in that those few times the wind did not shift in the night. I start the engine and leave it in neutral then I go up and Armstrong the anchor up. Depending on how long I think I can drift safely I spend some time cleaning and putting away the anchor and then motor out of the anchorage. Once I had very little time and so I just layed everythingon the foredeck then cleaned up after I got to clear space.
.
There was a device featured in the July 2002 Sail Magazine's "Things That Work". It is a Lever action Anchor Puller on page 78. It looks like something that would work. I'll fax you the page if you like.
Will Wheatley
Suzi Q
CD25
Sailing From Chesapeake Beach, MD
Warren Kaplan wrote: I know we've discussed this before but I just can't "lay my hands on it" in the CCDOA Archives. I have a CD27 with a Fortress anchor (weighs only 10 pounds) on 20ft of 1/4" chain and 200ft of 1/2 rode. NO BOWSPRIT. NO WINDLASS. NO ROLLER. Anchor is kept on a bracket on bow rail. Launching the anchor we've discussed. Either standard way from bow, or rigging the rode back to cockpit so anchor and be dropped from cockpit when single handing. Now, remember, I use the "armstrong" anchor retrieval system. Let's say you have 80 ft of scope out and now its time to weigh anchor and move on. Boat has an inboard diesel and you are out there all alone. What techniques do you single handers like to use for retrieving the anchor?
Thanks
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, New York
willwheatley@starpower.net
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Gary L.
Re: Single Handed Anchor Retrieval
Warren,
When I had Mr. Peeps (CD26), I soloed almost exclusively. Although
I kept my anchor ( a 25lb Danforth given to me) on the stern rail, and a large pail with 18' of 1/4 chain and 150' of 1/2" line. When anchoring I would have the line already spent from the cockpit to the bow roller and back outside the rail to the anchor. Anchoring was simply pointing into the wind. dropping the anchor and snubbing the rode to the winch cleat until I had time to go forward and use the bow cleat. Anchor retrieval was similar to what Larry said. Set sails, pull forward until breaking ground, then when I saw the line was free, I could pull it up with boat hook, and haul it in. I sometimes would let it drag a little to get the mud off. Hardest part was making sure that the anchor did not hit topsides. I plan on doing this with my CD30 also with a few modifications.
Good luck.
Gary Lapine
Red Witch III
CD30C, #339
Somerset, MA
dory@attbi.com
When I had Mr. Peeps (CD26), I soloed almost exclusively. Although
I kept my anchor ( a 25lb Danforth given to me) on the stern rail, and a large pail with 18' of 1/4 chain and 150' of 1/2" line. When anchoring I would have the line already spent from the cockpit to the bow roller and back outside the rail to the anchor. Anchoring was simply pointing into the wind. dropping the anchor and snubbing the rode to the winch cleat until I had time to go forward and use the bow cleat. Anchor retrieval was similar to what Larry said. Set sails, pull forward until breaking ground, then when I saw the line was free, I could pull it up with boat hook, and haul it in. I sometimes would let it drag a little to get the mud off. Hardest part was making sure that the anchor did not hit topsides. I plan on doing this with my CD30 also with a few modifications.
Good luck.
Gary Lapine
Red Witch III
CD30C, #339
Somerset, MA
dory@attbi.com
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Nautical Traditions Offic
Re: Up & Down, then Clear & Dry....
Captain Kaplan,
First, haul up the mains'l, leave the mainsheet loose. Second, get the idlers(you) to the foredeck, have them(you)haul in the rode until it is up & down(ie. short peak). Cleat off the rode, and return to the cockpit. Third, if head dead to wind, push the boom over to windward(backwind the mains'l). Once slightly backwinded, sheet in the main as tight as she will go, you will now be tacking to weather. She will sail the anchor out on her own(don't need no muscle man, don't need no stinkin' loud engine!). Once broken free, haul the rode until she is "Clear and dry" and ya are done Matey! Return to cockpit, man the helm, and give order for "Out or Down, Out or Down! I've a clear conscious and a sharp knife, All hands Out or Down!"
When they hit the deck, give the order to prepare coffee for the Captain, NOW! None of this sleepin' in the hammock for an extra hour as Captain Demers suggests.
Yours Sir, I remain your most HUMBLE....servant........
D. Stump, Hanalei
First, haul up the mains'l, leave the mainsheet loose. Second, get the idlers(you) to the foredeck, have them(you)haul in the rode until it is up & down(ie. short peak). Cleat off the rode, and return to the cockpit. Third, if head dead to wind, push the boom over to windward(backwind the mains'l). Once slightly backwinded, sheet in the main as tight as she will go, you will now be tacking to weather. She will sail the anchor out on her own(don't need no muscle man, don't need no stinkin' loud engine!). Once broken free, haul the rode until she is "Clear and dry" and ya are done Matey! Return to cockpit, man the helm, and give order for "Out or Down, Out or Down! I've a clear conscious and a sharp knife, All hands Out or Down!"
When they hit the deck, give the order to prepare coffee for the Captain, NOW! None of this sleepin' in the hammock for an extra hour as Captain Demers suggests.
Yours Sir, I remain your most HUMBLE....servant........
D. Stump, Hanalei
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Warren Kaplan
Re: Up & Down, then Clear & Dry....
Racing Capt Stump,Nautical Traditions Officer wrote: Captain Kaplan,
First, haul up the mains'l, leave the mainsheet loose. Second, get the idlers(you) to the foredeck, have them(you)haul in the rode until it is up & down(ie. short peak). Cleat off the rode, and return to the cockpit. Third, if head dead to wind, push the boom over to windward(backwind the mains'l). Once slightly backwinded, sheet in the main as tight as she will go, you will now be tacking to weather. She will sail the anchor out on her own(don't need no muscle man, don't need no stinkin' loud engine!). Once broken free, haul the rode until she is "Clear and dry" and ya are done Matey! Return to cockpit, man the helm, and give order for "Out or Down, Out or Down! I've a clear conscious and a sharp knife, All hands Out or Down!"
When they hit the deck, give the order to prepare coffee for the Captain, NOW! None of this sleepin' in the hammock for an extra hour as Captain Demers suggests.
Yours Sir, I remain your most HUMBLE....servant........
D. Stump, Hanalei
Your advice is duly noted. I particularly like your suggestion about barking orders at the crew. I bark plenty of 'um at myself all the time. Alas, I'm often not the most obedient crew. Damn! Where is that cat-o-ninetails when you really need it!
Warren Kaplan (Capt, crew, beast of burden) aboard
Sine Qua Non
Setsail728@aol.com
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Jerry Axler
Re: Single Handed Anchor Retrieval
I single handle a lot on the Chesapeake which is primarily a mud bottom. My routine is to start the engine and pull the anchor rode in until the rode is fairly vertical. I let it sit for a few moments which allows the mud to rinse off naturally and the pull on the anchor by the action of the wind tends to ease the anchor out of the mud. I then pull the rest of the anchor rode and anchor on board, let her drift while I swab the deck,lock the anchor in place and return the 36' of chain and any rode into the chain locker. If the anchor does not come up easily, I secure the rode to the forward cleat, return to the cockpit and throttle her up until the anchor breaks free.Warren Kaplan wrote: I know we've discussed this before but I just can't "lay my hands on it" in the CCDOA Archives. I have a CD27 with a Fortress anchor (weighs only 10 pounds) on 20ft of 1/4" chain and 200ft of 1/2 rode. NO BOWSPRIT. NO WINDLASS. NO ROLLER. Anchor is kept on a bracket on bow rail. Launching the anchor we've discussed. Either standard way from bow, or rigging the rode back to cockpit so anchor and be dropped from cockpit when single handing. Now, remember, I use the "armstrong" anchor retrieval system. Let's say you have 80 ft of scope out and now its time to weigh anchor and move on. Boat has an inboard diesel and you are out there all alone. What techniques do you single handers like to use for retrieving the anchor?
Thanks
Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, New York
This year I tried something a little different and it works as well. Tie a float with an adequate length of line to the head of the anchor( a CQR) before setting the hook. In the morning I hauled in the float line until I could feel the anchor break out, then I tied it off and hauled in the rode and anchor. It was easy but really unnecessary here on the Bay, but it would be useful in rocky anchorages where the anchor sometime gets jammed under a rock ledge.
Jerry Axler
Shana CD36
cutter36@erols.com