Lavezzi 40: Anchor-Visibility on Catamaran

[laforge24]

We plan to have a remote for the anchor-winch on the Lavezzi, but if you cannot
see if the chain is under the hull that is still going to be awkward!
Has anybody thought of putting the anchor under the front beam, this would make it
visible from the wheel.
Could be to much of weight for the beam, probably not a good idea, SO how
do you lot go around this -invisibility- problem

[Rapanui]

We have the same with our Athena. One solution I have thought about which retains the current anchor stowage is to have some sort of chain roller on a strop that leads over the bow roller. The strop would need enough scope to be let out to bring the anchor aboard in the usual way and to allow full deployment of the bridle. When you want to weigh anchor, you bring the chain roller up short just under the bow roller and then you should be able to see the chain from the helm and can bring the anchor up so its just below the cross beam. Once you have the ability to leave the helm you ease the strop on the chain roller so you can stow the anchor normally.

The strop and its securing cleat would obviously need to be strong enough to take full heave in breaking out the anchor, I have no doubts about the cross beam as this is braced by the forestay. The only issue will be the whether the bow roller is man enough.

Otherwise hitech get a camera, clip it on the seagull striker and plug into your plotter or monitor. Lowtech stick a caravan towing mirror in the same place.

[MKB53]

I had thought along the same lines with a "strop" and roller but have not yet experimented with it. Wouold love to hear if anyone was successful.

If you get a new generation plotter they (raymarine anyway) can take a camera feed and it would be easy to rig a camera up front.

I have fitted a remote control for the winch which helps, particularly setting the anchor but you pretty much have to have someone up front when raising it. If you have a lot of scope out the chain will build up under the winch and jam it so clearing the chain becomes the main issue.

Cheers

[Cotemar]

Are you trying to drop and pick up the anchor from the helm, single handed?

We have no problem with double handling the anchor as I drive and the first mate uses the remote. Visibility has never been a problem.

Lagoons hang the anchor roller from the bottom of the cross beam, but a lot of them are having corrosion problems between the stainless steel and aluminum which makes major issues.

[MKB53]

No, we double hand it but my remote is a built in unit at the helm, not the cable connected one up at the winch.

In my view the difficulty with the anchor is the only reason I can't single hand completely!

If I can solve that then I can single hand without too much drama

[Cotemar]

Camera from the first mast spreader maybe just what you need. Would also help you see shallow areas.

[MKB53]

Good idea - or on the steaming light mounting. Easy to get wired up there.