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groundtackle · 19-03-2018, 18:46

I was looking at that first pic in detail. Its obviously a horizontal windlass but they placed a idler roller in front of that chain sprocket to keep good contact. I like that very much.
I was also attempting to see the diameter of the fwd rollers, they look small as we all might think. Certainly strong enough and those two rollers share the load.
There is some stuff going on that's worth looking at.
Chris

Snowpetrel · 19-03-2018, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Attachment 165593

You can see bigger rollers on here.

A few small issues may come up, ie no bar to stop the chain jumping out and no flare on the cheeks to enable hauling in when the vessel isn't head to wind. But they normally use a big snubber, and with powerful twin engines and bowthruster they should be able to hold her head to wind even in nasty stuff.

We once had a bit of a scare on a 240 meter container ship when the anchor dragged in the Hauraki Gulf in a NE gale. The ship took a sheer to starboard so the starboard anchor got nipped around the bow. The windlass couldn't haul it in. The bowthruster and engines couldn't get us head to wind and we were dragging steadily towards Rangitoto island.

The discussion on the bridge was about getting tugs to push her around, vs dropping the port anchor or powering her around in ahead to the opposite sheer but potentially really loading up the chain. Prehaps we could have let out more scope. But we were running late for our berth as it was.

Fortunately the wind eased before we got too close to the island, and the thruster finally pushed her around head to wind in a lull.

Simi 60 · 19-03-2018, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

You can see bigger rollers on here.

A few small issues may come up, ie no bar to stop the chain jumping out and no flare on the cheeks to enable hauling in when the vessel isn't head to wind. But they normally use a big snubber, and with powerful twin engines and bowthruster they should be able to hold her head to wind even in nasty stuff.

.

No flare on ours either, single screw no thrusters and s/s setup at front vs soft aluminium as in the pic.

Man, it eats the galv off of the chain fast.

We figger our 150lber has to jump before the chain will and before we regalv old and add to the chain length we'll be getting some flares welded on.
Have the flatbar and the welder onboard, just need to do it.

groundtackle · 19-03-2018, 19:45

Snow, that pic shows the roller shape, thanks. Still small though but fine and ss. Stbd side looks used at least once.
I couldn't agree more on the off center line load. What, just wait till she lines up and then start pulling. Too late. Even on our small stuff the links won't climb around the vertical cheeks under load. Need rollers or at least smooth or a large radius.
I noticed lack of chain stoppers on her.
Chris

groundtackle · 19-03-2018, 19:49

Hear you Simi.
It can be better with not much more effort.
Chris

Snowpetrel · 20-03-2018, 02:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by groundtackle

Snow, that pic shows the roller shape, thanks. Still small though but fine and ss. Stbd side looks used at least once.
I couldn't agree more on the off center line load. What, just wait till she lines up and then start pulling. Too late. Even on our small stuff the links won't climb around the vertical cheeks under load. Need rollers or at least smooth or a large radius.
I noticed lack of chain stoppers on her.
Chris

Still the last boat had a very similar setup with its single big bruce and it worked well for many years. And they anchored her a fair bit.

mbeit · 26-03-2018, 03:23

The Anchor of Never Letting Go...Here's our (longwinded) rap for the #6 Excel.

Adventures of Pandion: Walloped

groundtackle · 27-03-2018, 18:54

mbeit, thanks for taking the time to share this story.
I enjoyed your site and encourage others to have a read, good fun!
Chris

**GordMay** · 28-03-2018, 03:51

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, mbiet.

groundtackle · 28-03-2018, 19:20

Thanks Gordmay for never missing those welcomes.
Just for clarity I did notice an error. Isn't proper English ei after mb? Not my area of expertise.
Chris

**GordMay** · 29-03-2018, 03:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by groundtackle

... Just for clarity I did notice an error. Isn't proper English ei after mb? ...
Chris

Notwithstanding standard English spelling; I incorrectly transcribed the contributor's spelling.
Sorry mbeit. Thanks Chris.

deluxe68 · 22-04-2018, 15:01

I have a quick question regarding Excel anchors. For my size boat their web site recommends a size #5 which is 26pounds if I get the aluminum model and 47 pounds if I get the galvanized. Is there a performance difference between the two? Is the main advantage of the aluminim just the lighter weight?

Panope · 23-04-2018, 06:11

I have tested both of these (#5) anchors and found that once the anchors have begun to bury into the s seabed, performance is very similar. However, the aluminum anchor (being lighter) has less ability to begin this penetration process in difficult conditions/circumstances.

I think the aluminum version is a fine anchor. I keep mine disassembled and stored down below.

The steel version is not disassembleable.

Steve

savoir · 23-04-2018, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by deluxe68

I have a quick question regarding Excel anchors. For my size boat their web site recommends a size #5 which is 26pounds if I get the aluminum model and 47 pounds if I get the galvanized. Is there a performance difference between the two? Is the main advantage of the aluminim just the lighter weight?

SARCA are probably telling you that anchor surface area is a bigger factor than weight.