Anchors and ropes.

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paul.jacobs
Anchors and ropes.

I would be grateful for various ideas on the best type and size of anchor that folk are using, and how much chain and rope should be carried. In fact if it comes to that, how many and what sized fenders are recommended and the same with mooring ropes - what lengths are most useful and what size?
Paul.

Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]

jose.teixeira
Re: Anchors and ropes.

I use
6 kg Brittany anchor
4 mt chain
30 mt 8mm line

bjorn.sjoling
Re: Anchors and ropes.

Hi
We have a similar anchor arrangement, plus a small spare we use for beaching. Unless you make a bow system to hold a plough, we're all sort of stuck on using the flatpack type. (plans are already underway...) I quite like the standard kit. Seems to work pretty well.
As fore usefull mooring ropes, I find a 6mm line fixed to the bow roller (n stored in the locker when not being used) that is just short of the length of the boat very useful. (any longer, if it sneaks out for a swim it may decide to copulate with the prop at any moment)
If I'm coming alongside single handed, I simply run the line round the outside of the shrouds and clip it into the jib sheet cam cleat. A 3m looped/eyed warp on the back is the other, figure of 8ed onto the rear cleat.(leaves room to cleat more strings on later) It means you can jump ashore with the 2 lines in hand quickly n easily if no one ashore to catch a line (which too is easily to hand from the helm.)
This set up has made me feel very smug n smarmy when coming into Poole quay (a very frequent waiting place for us) as I make the process look effortless (little do they know I'm an utter newbie at this!)
Once held, I use an 8mm 20m rope to go from the bow to shore, sprung back to the jib traveller (it's great coz you can move it around to fine tune later) off to the shore and back to the stern somewhere. As the cleats are all so pathetic you can't use man sized ropes! the original then can be left as a safety, plus it makes casting off pretty easy. Can't wait to get some proper cleats on.
If you're on a wall with dozens of powered idiots blasting past causing major wakes, a couple of lengths of shock cord (10mm) can act as very effective snatch absorbers. I tie them from the guard rail to nearest terra firma. Beware though as they do sort of like to untie themselves.

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.

paul.jacobs
Re: Anchors and ropes.

Thank you both for the reply, that is just what I needed to know. As it happens, I do have a 15lbs [approx 6.5 kgs?] plough anchor, left over from another boat I had many years ago, I just need to figure out how to hang it off the bow, otherwise a Brittany fold flat job it will have to be.
Also thanks for the hints on coming alongside and the lengths of warp that work best. Most useful.

Paul.

Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]

bjorn.sjoling
Re: Anchors and ropes.

Hi Paul
I saw a clever way of stowing a plough on the us forums. It involved an ally tube attached to one of the vertical rails of the pulpit, shaft n chain dropped into the tube...

Else it'll mean getting a special bow roller & neck piece made up (on my list)
I think this (above) method a little inelegant, but it is certainly easy!
Cheers

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.