How do people connect the anchor line to the bow?

[tat]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

I just did this job a couple of days ago. While smaller boats can get away with somewhat different arrangements, the principles are the same regarding snubbers, bridles and "bitter ends", so this (you can skip the first part about the mainsail) may be of interest: The world encompassed: The bitter end

Many thanks for that link. I understand more of the WHY about it. The diagram was very useful. I will make sure it is secured to the bow in two places, and also plan for having to quickly cut it away. Thanks.

[tat]

Originally Posted by AlwaysFORSAIL

There are books written on anchoring so there is a plethora of things that need to be done to secure your boat at anchor. Mine is secured in the anchor locker at the bitter end with rope so that I can cut it if necessary. The rest of my rode is chain and after passing over the bow roller I cleat it off in the anchor locker on a sturdy cleat.

You will swing at anchor, allow for it. You can use a Bahamian Moor to reduce swing but I prefer a single anchor unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks. I do read the books, but I feel it is not enough on its own. Best to ask people who have the experience they can give me. So thanks for that. Cheers.

[tat]

Originally Posted by RichandHelen

Rule #1: MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOUR ANCHOR RODE IS SECURED TO THE BOAT BEFORE YOU TOSS IT OVERBOARD

You make a good point. Cheers.

[tat]

Originally Posted by elknimrod

I'm a light sleeper, so the rode jumping over the bow roller drives me crazy. It takes a little planning, but I attach the anchor directly to a bow cleat, no roller involved. So it goes from the anchor to the bow cleat through the roller to the locker. Nice and quiet.

Ed

I can see your configuration of the order of it all. I'll remember to use my common sense when I sort it out. I've never been anchored, so I don't know about the forces upon the cleats, etc. I think I will over-engineer it all to be sure, and order it in a way that I can see working. Thanks.

[tat]

Originally Posted by tdh1849

#1, in the anchor locker there s/b an eye bolt to secure the bitter end of the anchor line to. Attaching it and tying it off is a must.Then when you set the anchor tie it off to a bow cleat. U may want to back up the boat just a bit to ensure the anchor is set.
#2, U should have chain at the end of the line where it attaches to the anchor, and use a swivel. The length of chain will depend on the type of sailing U will be doing. Chain helps keep the anchor set into the bottom.
#3 Remember, the bigger the boat the heavier the anchor you need.
#4 There are anchors for sale to be found on the web by manufacturer which will have specs.
#5. Always a good thing to have a second anchor and line on the boat just in case.
#6 At night you use an anchor light and be sure to find a location where there is no traffic.
#7, it aint no big thing, it will come naturally to you. Good luck, fair seas...........

Thanks for your kind help and encouragement. I'd not thought about a swivel. I'll read up on that. And a second anchor, if not a third, is a good thought. Fair seas to you, too. Thanks.

[tat]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

that is a very scary question. it frightens me to think you are in a boat anywhere near mine. as for your question--if your boat is over 20 feet or so there will probably be a cleat or post in the center near the bow. the will probably be metal leads for your line at the bow. if just some cleats use the largest one. Please, before you do anything, read some books, take a seamanship course and talk to some boat owners. Operating a boat safely requires some knowledge before you begin.

Don't worry, Dave, I'm not anywhere near you.........I'm sat in my kitchen, and the boat is nowhere near the sea.

I agree operating a boat is a responsibility. I'm reading the books and asking questions, doing courses, asking your advice. In fact, such is my responsible and able nature, I would never ever put you or your boat in danger by doing something before I knew what i was doing. But, I am a beginner, so my baby steps are only that. I'm not actually at sea. I'm just starting, learning. I bought my boat and have had to do everything, fix the outboard, fit new steering, fit out the whole interior, totally rewire it and plumb it, fit windows, and so many other jobs. But it is a good way of learning. A couple of years from now, with training and study and questions, you'd probably be pleased to drop anchor next to my boat.

[tat]

Thanks to everyone else that replied. It is all helpful, and I have the answers I needed.

Cheers.

[captlloyd]

Yes, by all means read, talk to other yachtsmen, and check out ''anchoring'' on YouTube. There are tremendous forces at work in the anchoring process, even for a 20ft boat. I have read that a small rowboat is capable of moving an engine block in a chop. ''Chapmans'' is the bible on seamanship, probably get it at the library.

[Cadence]

? Are you speaking of anchoring or throwing over a lunch hook?

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by g_3

Secured to whom?

Secured to a cleat in the anchor locker.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[zedpassway]

Depends on the size of your boat, AND HOW YOU NORMALLY dock. I have a small micro-cruiser(19 FOOT WWP). Since I don't dock, I moor the boat out in the channel 200 yards from the dock where my dinghy is, I have a strong Dyneema cyclone pre-pendant, that then connects to the nylon mooring line, which connects to the chain which connects to a big piece of granite. They dyneema is stronger than steel and runs from a SS cleat the is bolted to the deck and backed with a big steel plate. This provides the strength no stretch steel off the boat and the stretch of nylon into the mooring.

I anchor the same way with the nylon line of the anchor rode connecting to the dyneema mooring pendant.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by tat

I have never anchored. I purchased the boat with a view to getting it up to speed for the sea. My mind has turned to focus on anchoring, and in particular where to connect it to the bow. Should I just tie it to a cleat. But the boat will swing and there will be constant movement. Surely it needs something more specialist to do the job, like a channel or something for the rope or chain to go through, or something. Or should I just tie it to the rail on the bow.

Cheers.

Howdy!

My suggestions:

Post a photo of your bow and foredeck. This will help others here see your boats configuration. Include the stock of the anchor too.

Pay close attention to how you secure your rode at both ends. Anchors are often lost. Learn how to use and secure a shackle key.

[TrentePieds]

"You need some sort of Sampson post"

Uhmmm... OP has never anchored, and is up front about knowing very little about boats, and we should baffle him/her with sailor-speak like "Sampson post" ;-0)??

Tat: A Samson is far and away the best device to tie your anchor rope to. Google "Samson post" and click on "images" and you'll see dozens of them. They are FAR better than cleats.

That being said, in my five ton, thirty foot seagoing gazebo with a very high foredeck and a big deckhouse that both catch the wind, I get along just fine with a 30 pound Bruce anchor, 40 feet of 5/16" chain and 200 feet of 1/2" nylon rope secured to an 8" horn cleat on the foredeck.

But here is a real piece of heresy for you: You don't have to anchor over the bows. Unless you are in real foul weather it's often easier to anchor over the stern, and if that is where your boat already has something secure to tie the anchor rope to, then by all means use that!

I often anchor over the stern because TrentePieds' fundamental design means that in most conditions when anchored over the bows she will "range", i.e. of her own accord she sails about from side to side creating consternation in a tight anchorage, whereas anchored over the stern she lies still, totally docile.

A Samson post is sometimes called a "bitt" (tho that isn't quite correct usage, sailor-wise), and we call the "boat end" of the anchor rope the "bitter end" because that's the end that gets tied to the bitt.

In your case, since you have neither anchor locker nor bitt nor (apparently) cleats, be very, very sure that you tie the bitter end of the rode (rope) securely to something solid within the boat before you let the anchor over the side. To replace the anchor, chain and rope in TrentePieds would cost about a thousand dollars, so better safe than sorry!

And like Steady sez: Let's see some pics of your boat. Then we can give you far better and far more specific advice.

TrentePieds

[Bill-R]

Originally Posted by RichandHelen

Rule #1: MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOUR ANCHOR RODE IS SECURED TO THE BOAT BEFORE YOU TOSS IT OVERBOARD

After the America's Cup races in SF Bay I asked a rigger at West Marine whether they saw a bump in sales of sailing gear due to an increased interest in sailing. He paused for a moment then said that they saw an increase in the sales of anchors. People would head out to the observation areas, drop anchor (the one they hadn't used for years) and then watch the bitter end disappear into the water.

Glad to see discussion on the topic.

[SpiritofGlenans]

Originally Posted by tat

I have never anchored. I purchased the boat with a view to getting it up to speed for the sea. My mind has turned to focus on anchoring, and in particular where to connect it to the bow. Should I just tie it to a cleat. But the boat will swing and there will be constant movement. Surely it needs something more specialist to do the job, like a channel or something for the rope or chain to go through, or something. Or should I just tie it to the rail on the bow.

Cheers.

Could I suggest that you log on to RYA - The Royal Yachting Association | RYA to find out where you might find a course. It's all very well reading up on the subject, but in doing a Theory course you will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to a knowledgeable instructor. Following this up with a Practical Course, on the water, will give you valuable experience, without having the pressure of overall responsibility. Joining a club might also help, in that you can get the opportunity to get on other peoples' boats and see how they do things.