Anchor tie off to unload windlass

[Connerkip]

Any Cutwater 30 owners find a good tie off method for the anchor, to unload the windlass, when the anchor is in the up position? I'm finding the space I have is limiting. Currently I tie to the cleat in the anchor chute, but that leaves a little slack and although the anchor is held, it can sway/roll on the nylon roller.

 

[Scuffy]

We use an inexpensive large aluminum carbineer clip that secures the anchor's top tube to the bail on the anchor roller. You could then take a little tension off the windless. We just leave ours tight in the anchor roller and we don't usually remove the clip until we get ready to anchor. We use a little WD 40 on the hinge of the carbineer from time to time. Too cheap to spring for a large stainless model. If you get in snotty enough conditions the anchor can loosen up and the clip keeps it from causing any unplanned outcomes. They do make chain hooks on a short piece of line but the clip method has worked well for us.

 

[knotflying]

I do the same as Scuffy. I have never really been concerned that the windless was under pressure when in full retrieval. I use the clip more as a safety precaution against inadvertent launch rather than reduce pressure on the windless.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I bought some 1/4 inch line and made a lanyard. I loop it thru the role bar of our Rocha anchor and the bitter end gets tied off on the cleat. Been doing t this way for over 5 years of boating and trailering with no problems.

Jim

 

[ALICE J]

I take some eighth inch line that I take two turns round my bow rail and the roll bar o n my 35lb Manson Supreme anchor, which give a two to one purchase so it snugs up tight on the on hie roller. I remove my anchor when trailering long distances felling all that weight might not be the most appropriate area for its placement. I place the anchor in the bed of my truck.

 

[cruiseoncraig]

I set up a dual purpose leash that works to both hold the anchor in place underway and then take load off the windlass with anchor depolyed. Obviously it takes lots more tensil strength to take load off the windlass with the anchor dug in than it does to help secure the anchor to the bow rest. I had a local sailboat rigger make up a leash using Spectra (a high tech fiber rope that is stronger than chain) spliced to a SS chain hook (hook must be sized to the chain). However Spetra, like polypropylene, does not hold a knot or a cleat very well, so he spliced a nylon rope "jacket" to the Spetra for cleating off. It's just like the nylon covered polypropylene rope we use for a dingy painter, it floats (poly pro) but also holds a knot, (nylon jacket).
Like Knotflying I don't think there is any issue with pulling the windlass in tight when the anchor is up, but I tie it off with the leash to prevent "runaway" windlass leading to anchor in the prop at speed, or God forbid an anchor dragging and bouncing behind the boat at 60 mph on the freeway. We have had three instances of runaway windlass in our boating life so it is not unheard of.
If I use more anchor line than the 100 feet of chain we carry I just cleat off the rode to the cleat forward of the windlass. If I only have chain out I hook the chain with the leash and cleat it off.
Either way let out a little anchor line after its cleated off to release pressure on the windlass.