Dual windlasses and rollers on the bows

[LoudMusic]

Our Orana is like any other catamaran I've seen around, with a windlass, locker, and roller on the centerline. Our roller is aft of the trampoline, but certainly there are plenty with their roller on the forward cross member.

Today I saw a smaller catamaran, something like a Gemini but I think it's not a Gemini, that had an anchor, roller, windlass, chain, and locker in/on each bow. They still have a single bridle+snubber running from each bow to a single point that seemingly they could attach to either rode when in use. They also had a different style anchor on each bow which theoretically could give them more diversity in anchoring options.

A quick think leads me to believe this is a FAR superior arrangement, aside from putting so much weight forward. It takes advantage of catamarans' inherent self redundancy while also adding options.

I don't think retro-fitting such an design onto boats like mine or similar would be feasible, but I wonder if it should be incorporated into future designs. Certainly "excursion catamarans" that might be going into more harsh environments. Likely the charter group (which my boat is admittedly designed for) wouldn't necessarily take advantage of the extra weight and cost.

Are there other disadvantages I'm not thinking of? Is this a design/feature any of you have thought about?

[noelex 77]

Modern anchors have great versatility with good holding power in a wide range of substrates.

Having dual bow anchors was a popular option before the advent of powerful electric windlasses and modern anchor designs. A larger single anchor will generally provide higher holding power with much less weight than multiple smaller anchors and their associated rodes.

No anchoring option is perfect in all conditions, but for a catamaran where low weight and efficiency is paramount, there is a lot to said for single good quality large primary anchor on predominantly chain rode especially If this can be stored centrally.

[Tupaia]

Nautitech catamarans tried a single anchor from one bow for a while. Most ended up with huge ss sheet protecting the bow. The idea is sound but because cats tend to be quite skittish when anchoring there are always going to be problems with the chain rubbing against the hull.

[LoudMusic]

I forgot I took a picture on my last day at that marina. This is what I saw and I'm still intrigued by it!

https://i.imgur.com/Vaphv79.jpg

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

I forgot I took a picture on my last day at that marina. This is what I saw and I'm still intrigued by it!

https://i.imgur.com/Vaphv79.jpg

These exit directly forward, but still have ss bow protection.
Here is not a very good picture of a Nautitech with offset anchor.

https://www.sail4fun.es/en/boats-sai...mallorca#pid=4

[LoudMusic]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

These exit directly forward, but still have ss bow protection.
Here is not a very good picture of a Nautitech with offset anchor.

https://www.sail4fun.es/en/boats-sai...mallorca#pid=4

That's really interesting.