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Old 19-04-2018, 17:53   #1
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Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Would like to hear input from those who have ridden out a storm or heavy conditions utilising 2 anchors in tandem or thought about it. Example is to have main anchor set on regular chain at appropriate scope and to have another anchor attached to that and is set first. I expect the front anchor is smaller than main anchor and is mainly to share the load as main anchor comes under strain and to prevent or slow down dragging and thereby enabling main anchor to reset. Discuss the length of chain between the 2 anchors. Is it smart to buoy main or tandem anchor My main anchor is a Sarca Excel, do I use a similar type but how much smaller? This appears to be simple to set up in a hurry and logically could provide very secure anchoring. In the past I have set 2 anchors at 60-70degs separation with some success but i think this setup is fraught with many more possible problems. Be great to hear your thoughts and perhaps someone out there has had experience.
I sail a 52' Alloy cutter on the East coast Australia, Tasmania, NZ and South Pacific. Regards popeye
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Old 19-04-2018, 18:08   #2
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Tandem Anchors?

Two to Tandem: Maximizing Holding Power by Tandem Anchoring

Most boaters should never have cause for tandem anchoring. Your primary anchor should be sized so that it is adequate on its own in practically all conditions – if it is not, then upgrade. [The tandem anchoring] functionality is provided for those more ‘extreme’ adventurers who require it.”

See the linked page and site for more opinion from Peter Smith (ROCNA)

http://www.petersmith.net.nz/about/

If you don't already know about Peter Smith, I suggest reading his bio profile, and notice the boat he built and used for travels in some hazardous areas.

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http://www.petersmith.net.nz/about/kiwiroa.php
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Old 19-04-2018, 22:02   #3
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Tandem anchors is a common practice in the offshore petroleum industry. They use a pennant between the anchors long enough to allow the second anchor to be retrieved before the primary, and a buoy and pennant from the crown of the second anchor to allow it's retrieval.
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Old 20-04-2018, 00:11   #4
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Try it. Set two anchors, then change the direction of pull by 20 degrees and watch the near anchor roll-out. Look at Peter Smith pictures; you can see the anchors are not buried and are starting to lift out. He did not show a change in direction. In other words, they were staged.It only works when the bottom prevents proper burying, such as hardpan and cobbles.

Even the platform guys do NOT recommend this anymore. Note that none of the other anchor manufactures agree and that none provide holes for this. Spade has said "don't do it." Only Peter Smith seems to think it works. Think about how they claim that all of the angles are critical, and then think how much the back-tension changes all of the angles.

Try it. Set the anchors, then pull to the side, then dive and see what's up. I have, many times.
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Old 20-04-2018, 00:38   #5
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

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Originally Posted by RaymondR View Post
Tandem anchors is a common practice in the offshore petroleum industry. They use a pennant between the anchors long enough to allow the second anchor to be retrieved before the primary, and a buoy and pennant from the crown of the second anchor to allow it's retrieval.
That is one way we can do it but there are few easier ways, but we only use any tandem set-up for straight pulls.....
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Old 20-04-2018, 02:15   #6
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Hi,

on our cat I did not do tandem, but did often set a second anchor with a slightly slack rode from the other bow, in the hope it would take a bite should number one fail.

It has worked for me on two occasions.
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Old 20-04-2018, 08:18   #7
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

I used anchors in tandem In the Sea of Cortez during hurricane
"Lester" in 1992. I had a Danforth 50' of chain then CQR plow
with 150' chain and 50' of rode. We rode out "Lester" well trough
both sustained winds and gusts behind Isla Ventana.
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Old 20-04-2018, 08:21   #8
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

I always said tandem anchors when expecting heavy weather.

In hurricane Wilma I set a 50 kg Bruce on 100 feet of chain in 8 feet of water with two bridles, my normal 5/8 bridal off of the two hills Of my voyage 43 cat, and a second storm anchor attached to the chain Rollinghitch set midships also using five eights line.

Off the trip point of the manufacture provided Bruce, I sent 8 feet of 5/16 H teaching, the same chain are used for the primary. Of my voyage 43 cat, and a second storm anchor attached to the chain Rollinghitch set midships also using five eights line.

Off the trip point of the manufacture provided Bruce, I sent 8 feet of 5/16 HT.chain, the same chain are used for the primary.

The veer of Wilma passed over my boat causing it to run down the chain and break both bridals when it reset on the secondary anchor, and FX 39 fortress.

When the second anchor sex or reset, both the shanks and the flukes back to uselessness but the anchor held.

With the 2 5/8” bridals broken The load was taken by the winless which promptly broke the mounting board. I fortunately tied an overhand not in the chain that jammed in the hwade pipe after breaking her heartpoint But the better end of the road was shackled to.

When the overhand knot jammed in the hawse pipe, The chain stretched uselessness but held.

Fortress replaced all the bent parts under warranty, I rebuilt the winless base and reattach the winless, replace the chain, and made two more bridals.

The other 50 or so Boats in the Anchorage were all lost. Or Severely damage. There is no way to determine if another way of anchoring would’ve held however the tandem anchors are used did hold and save the boat even though I clearly reached the limit of the chain ground tackle an attachment points.
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Old 20-04-2018, 08:36   #9
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Buy a bower anchor big enough to hold you safely in a hurricane with enough chain (or chain and rode) to set out at least 5:1 (even as much as 10:1).

Don't bugger about trying to set 2 anchors or complicate matters because when you drag in a storm you don't want to be handling more metal than you need to.

If you want to double up then set in a V with a secondary anchor capable of holding you on its own on a separate rode.

I have a 33kg Vulcan on 60m of 8mm G70 spliced to an additional 45m of 16mm Octoplait. On a 40ft Bavaria Cruiser. My old 16kg Delta is purely on board as an "oh F!" emergency lump in the unlikely event I have to drop my bower.

Never heard of any rig using tandem anchors as we normally have 8 to 12 huge Bruce anchors set out 2 or 3 to the corner. Or in deeper water we just use GPS and thrusters to maintain position.

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Old 20-04-2018, 08:41   #10
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Yeah I’ll echo the others, if you want more insurance, go with a second big anchor and it’s own rode. I have had to bail out of a rough anchorage in the middle of the night, the potential hassle of tandem anchors has inspired me to never try it. If you are that concerned about the main anchor, then it’s not big enough.
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Old 20-04-2018, 09:06   #11
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don C L View Post
Yeah I’ll echo the others, if you want more insurance, go with a second big anchor and it’s own rode. I have had to bail out of a rough anchorage in the middle of the night, the potential hassle of tandem anchors has inspired me to never try it. If you are that concerned about the main anchor, then it’s not big enough.

Well said.

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I will quote JIM CATE (as I greatly respect his and Ann's experience too).

JIM CATE wrote:
"The best dual anchor configuration is a better single anchor."
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Old 20-04-2018, 09:23   #12
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Another “get a bigger (and/or better) bower” vote here. I think a tandem anchor setup is pretty much the same as the use of kellet. This has some utility in certain specific circumstances, but I don’t think it helps much with ultimate holding.

When you add in the complexity and risk of tandem anchors (and yes, I’ve tried it), the far better solution is a bigger/better bower, and perhaps a lot more rode.
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Old 20-04-2018, 09:42   #13
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Popeye,

We have tried it all over the years. [Kellets, dual anchors: inline, V, asymetrical, etc.] All approaches work to some extent.

We are firmly in the one large anchor camp, and haven't looked back. [45KG/99lb Spade- and 5 other anchors- on 43 ft 22 ton ketch.]

But that isn't what you asked about... If I had to use two anchors on a single rode, I would use an asymetrical approach as well documented by Drew in Practical Sailor.

We also always deploy a bridle on our all chain rode [and would on a rope rode too...] and if anticipating storm conditions, a back-up [lazy] bridle led to primary winches for adjusting. We also add a tertiary Hail-Mary single snubber to help avoid dealing with failures during the maelstrom.

Best wishes for success...

Cheers! Bill
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Old 20-04-2018, 09:44   #14
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

Distant Shores has done some good videos about anchoring, both in unusual calm areas, and in dangerous places.

YouTube link to a search on their videos.
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Old 20-04-2018, 10:29   #15
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Re: Tandem anchors for storm conditions

I set two anchors in windy conditions or the possibility of. Main anchor first, then about 30-35 degrees the second usually 35-45’ to the side of the primary. I have ridden out four hurricanes with little problems or dragging.
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