Dropping vs lowering anchor

[Woodland Hills]

I am curious how many drop their anchors by freefalling using the brake or lower them using the motor? I realize this mostly applies to bigger boats with heavier anchors, but I was curious.

[Mike OReilly]

Always controlled descent. Dumping it all over the side in a big pile of anchor and chain is a recipe for anchoring failure.

I use a combination of clutch and foot to control the descent. I have a manual windlass, so it's easy.

[Dockhead]

Always power mine out. My ground tackle weighs nearly half a ton, so wouldn't take chances with the clutch. Powering it out is foolproof, plus you can pay it out at a consistent speed, which makes it easier to lay it out neatly on the seabed.

[Chotu]

I’m a free faller using a manual windlass, a “lower by motor “ type when using a motorized windlass.

I don’t worry at all about what the chain looks like on the sea floor. As long as it’s not in a pile directly on the anchor, it straightens itself out when it’s actually needed.

I prefer the free fall because I’m usually trying for a specific spot to place the anchor. Powering the anchor down is too slow and I drift a bit from precisely where I want to be.

[Eder]

I lower when holding is good...when above a thick weed bed I drop the bomb. Also drop the bomb when aiming in between coral.

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Always power mine out. My ground tackle weighs nearly half a ton, so wouldn't take chances with the clutch. Powering it out is foolproof, plus you can pay it out at a consistent speed, which makes it easier to lay it out neatly on the seabed.

Nearly 500kg of gear on a 54 ft yacht, seems extreme!

[Cheechako]

If using a windlass clutch i will drop fairly fast but controlled. I have an idea how deep it is and know when to slow down. Never just total free fall it, it's amazing how often things tangle up if you do.

[noelex 77]

Either technique is fine.

The free fall technique has the advantage that the anchor hits the seabed at some speed. It has been postulated that the impact therefore helps break up very hard substrates. It is hard to determine if this claim has any validity, but I suspect it does help slightly, especially for fast setting anchors such as the Mantus M1. In clear water it certainly produces a strangely satisfying “explosion” as the anchor lands.

I used to generally free fall the anchor, but after a stint cruising Norway where many of the anchorages were 25m plus I switched back to lowering the anchor under power. My concern was that in this depth of water a free fall drop would cause the chain to develop significant force and speed. This could be controlled with the clutch but with chain running out at speed you need to keep all your body parts as far from the winch as possible.

There is a third option. This is useful only In clear water where you want the anchor to hit a precise point such as a small patch of seabed that is free of weed. It involves a combination of the two techniques. Lowering the anchor under power until it just above the seabed then releasing the clutch and allowing the anchor to quickly drop. This technique hits the precise spot before the boat has a chance to move.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by aqfishing

Nearly 500kg of gear on a 54 ft yacht, seems extreme!

330kg of chain (100m x 12mm) and 45kg of anchor. ALMOST half a short ton (1000 pounds). 825 pounds to be exact.

[carstenb]

If we let out all 100meters of our chain then we have 100 X 1.34 kilos = 134 kilos + 30 (anchor) = 164 kilos

164 X 2.2 = 360 pounds (approximate)

So Dockheads almost 1/2 ton is not outrageous. Of course we normally don't roll out all 100 meters......................

We use a controlled descent - letting everything fly means it is out of control.

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by carstenb

If we let out all 100meters of our chain then we have 100 X 1.34 kilos = 134 kilos + 30 (anchor) = 164 kilos

164 X 2.2 = 360 pounds (approximate)

So Dockheads almost 1/2 ton is not outrageous. Of course we normally don't roll out all 100 meters......................

We use a controlled descent - letting everything fly means it is out of control.

It’s not half a ton or 500kg, it’s 375 kg, that’s quite far from half a ton. 3/4 of half a ton.

[aqfishing]

So half a ton did sound a lot. 375kg is fair

[Manateeman]

We have two 120 lb anchors on the bow. The chain is 150 lbs per 100 feet.
One anchor, 200’ chain =420 lbs. One anchor 400’ chain =720 lbs.
Two anchors 300’ chain each to one huge swivel & snubbers =1,160 lbs
If that looks like it might not hold, I get out my FX 85 Fortress anchor.
I keep the two FX 125 disassembled and lines for hurricanes.
Never let the chain rip out, I motor or clutch...depends on set up.
I Always use a sounding lead. Cannot imagine anchoring without it.
Happy trails to you.
Captain Mark and his always time for snacks Manatee friends

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by Manateeman

We have two 120 lb anchors on the bow. The chain is 150 lbs per 100 feet.
One anchor, 200’ chain =420 lbs. One anchor 400’ chain =720 lbs.
Two anchors 300’ chain each to one huge swivel & snubbers =1,160 lbs
If that looks like it might not hold, I get out my FX 85 Fortress anchor.
I keep the two FX 125 disassembled and lines for hurricanes.
Never let the chain rip out, I motor or clutch...depends on set up.
I Always use a sounding lead. Cannot imagine anchoring without it.
Happy trails to you.
Captain Mark and his always time for snacks Manatee friends

Sounding lead? Really? Mind you don’t hit a Manatee on the head

[Seman]

We reverse while controlled free falling the anchor using the clutch. Why put the extra wear on the motor brushes, gearbox, driving the anchor down?