All seamanship books include a section on how to anchor your boat properly and safely. Before deciding where you want to anchor, slowly cruise around the anchoring site and check the boats already at anchor, to ensure you have enough room to swing.
Allow adequate room around the spot where you wish to anchor. Remember that power vessels swing differently than yachts. Boats on rope rods swing around more than those on-chain.
Slow down and keep the bow into the wind, or current, whichever is stronger and as the boat comes to a complete stop, start to lower the anchor.
After lowering the anchor, either drift back or slowly reverses while paying out the anchor rode, in order to ensure the anchor is set (holding firm).
The amount of anchor rode you pay out should always be at least three times the depth of water in which you are anchoring.
Do not switch off the engine until you are sure the anchor is set (holding firm). The engine may not restart. Use buoys as reference points if they are available or, if close to shore, use prominent landmarks to check you are holding your position.
Once anchored, secure your anchor rode with the chain stopper or secure to a deck cleat or bollard with a hitch that is easy to cast off. Do not anchor off your winch.
Have a small buoy handy, which you can tie to the end of your anchor rode in case you have to slip your anchor. You will then be able to recover your anchor & rode later.
Your boat should always be anchored via the bow.
Check your position frequently when at anchor. You may have dragged
Which Winch should you choose?
There are a number of important criteria to be considered in selecting the correct anchor winch.
How much space does my chain locker need?
Calculating the depth of fall differs for horizontal chain only windlasses and for vertical chain or rope/chain windlasses.
Which Rode should you choose?
Deciding on the right anchor winch for your boat depends on the size, not only of the boat but also the ground tackle. Anchor winches and capstans are designed to take chain only, rope only or a combination of both. Automatic rope/chain systems are now commonly used on boats up to 20 metres. Automatic rope/chain systems have become more popular, as they offer the added benefit of less weight in the bow with the ability to carry an increased amount of rode.
Chain only systems remain popular on heavier displacement sail and motor yachts. There are a wide variety of both metric and imperial chain sizes available and these will have bearing on your final windlass decision. Marine chain wheels are made to fit different chains and there are many on the market today.
Hydraulic systems provide another power source well worth considering as they have the advantage of constant speed under all load conditions and can be run almost constantly while coupled with safeguards such as pressure relief valves. Modern hydraulic systems offer an integrated, low maintenance and efficient, centrally managed, power pack.
SAFETY AND SECURITY TIPS
If you think the winch you are considering may be too small, then go to the next size up. Maritime electrical can provide you with helpful advice if you have any questions just give us a call.
