Trip Line?

[Bob on OTTER]

Anyone using, or see the need, to use a trip line for ground tackle in Chesapeake Bay?

[Hud3]

I'd stay away from them. The bottoms are usually sand, mud, grass, or dead oyster shells--nothing really to get hung up on. I've always felt that a small buoy on a trip line tied to the anchor just presents another potential problem for boats motoring through the anchorage and just another thing to hassle with if you're trying to get your anchor in quickly for some reason or in strong winds.

If you ever feel the need to use one, attach a piece of 3/8" line to the anchor trip point and secure the other end to your anchor chain or nylon rode, making it long enough for you to take in in hand as your anchor rode comes in.

[Hydra]

I use the setup recommended by Hud, with polyester (sinking, not very elastic) trip line. I have a small float on the line about 1 foot from the anchor, just to prevent it from fouling the anchor.

It works well, was defeated only once when the chain and the trip line were caught together in a wreck.

Alain

[Hudson Force]

I like Hud's idea, although my choice is to keep an approx. 4' length of line with a loop at the end loose on my anchor's trip point. In some locations I add a line to a float, but in the Chesapeake I usually don't. My only anchor snag in the Chesapeake was way up the Severn, probably a log, and without current or water temperature problems, I was able to freedive down to my loop with another line. Over the years I have cut away two anchors in places where the current was swift in turbid water and I was not willing to place myself among the unknown snag. Along with this willingness to have cut away two anchors over forty years of cruising, I should add that used anchors are usually as good as new. I purchase most all my anchors at used consignment stores or directly from other cruisers .

[thinwater]

Nope. Not on the Chesapeake. Very rare.

[Paperbird]

ditto. Lots of years of anchoring in multiple boats of various sizes. No trip line, no lost anchors. Mud is too soft. Of course, the anchor often brings up a couple buckets worth of that soft, gooey mud. But that's another discussion.

[Bob on OTTER]

Tnx all...

[Amapola]

We've cruised the Bay extensively and never needed a trip line.

[Bob on OTTER]

Tnx Amapola

[Andrew G]

Bob. I can't help you with a particular US anchoarge but the attached notes might help. The "two buoy" setup works. (I only use a trip line if I have reason to suspect that I need to - if you can follow that logic . . .). Andrew

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Andrew G

Bob. I can't help you with a particular US anchoarge but the attached notes might help. The "two buoy" setup works. (I only use a trip line if I have reason to suspect that I need to - if you can follow that logic . . .). Andrew

The second float is not necessary unless you have a very large tidal range and are anchored in shallow water. The weight can just be looped around (with a block if their is too much friction) the top float without the need for the second float.
I would also suggest a weak link a couple of meters below the surface, but with enough slack that the weak link can be bypassed if you need to use trip line.
The weak link will prevent someone using your trip line, or if the buoy is caught by another, or your own, boat. The latter problem happens often and will trip the anchor. This is such a commonly seen problem I would be very reluctant to use a trip line without this weak link.