Re: Anchor System for P15

CyrusWD@aol.com
Sat, 30 Oct 1999 11:31:21 EDT


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Last month my Potter 15 #629 dragged it's anchor doing a full gale. I was
using a danforth with 10 ft chain and 200 ft of 3/8 New England Nylon Anchor
line. Failure was due to anchoring in a deep bed of seaweed. When
anchoring, I did the standard backing up slowly and making sure it was
secured. By the time I realized the wind situation, it was too late to go
out and drop a second anchor. The wind shifted and I was no longer in a
protected area. The ideal situation would have been in a protected area with
at least 7:1 scope. But there was another boat in the area and I was afraid
that I would swing into it. So I shorten the scope to avoid swinging into
other boat when the wind or tide shifted.

The type of anchor depends on the characteristics of the bottom. Are there
shifting currents, etc. I would love to use a CQR but I would have to build
a pulpit to provide a housing for the anchor when not in use. I carry three
anchors. One is a small lunch hook for quick anchoring situations. The
other two are danforths. Each has 10 ft. of chain secured by a shackle and
200 ft of 3/8 New England nylon anchor line. I keep the anchors and lines in
old plastic milk crates. Easy to wash in fresh water after using. I keep
both crates inside the cabin, stacked on top of each other. In a moments
notice, I can use the anchors.

Cyrus #629
Bellingham, WA