Spinner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2013
- Messages
- 407
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- (Former RT31) Current 2003 Nordic Tug 42
- Vessel Name
- Spinner
Spinner is currently docked in Petersburg, AK. It's been a fantastic cruise, well worth the effort.
I wanted to pass along a few lessons that I learned yesterday:
We left Petersburg yesterday morning, intending to anchor in Cleveland Passage (about 38 nm from here). I put down the anchor in about 50 feet, and all was fine until I decided to let out a bit more scope. The windlass stopped. I was unable to move it more than a small amount either up or down. I found that a kink or knot had gotten pulled up into the teeth of the windlass and it was not going to move.
I worked on it for a few hours, in the rain naturally, and was unable to work the jam loose. I decided to pull the anchor up by hand, but it was set tight and I let the rode back out. I started to take apart the windlass but decided there was too much risk in losing small parts.
By this time I decided to use my DeLorme Inreach to try and get some assistance with the windlass. It turned out that BOATUS is not reachable except by telephone or VHF, neither of which was available from that location. So, Carol (my swab) and I both sent messages to distant friends to ask them to contact BOATUS for us. That took some time, and in the meanwhile, the anchor that I had been unsuccessfully trying to pull up finally lost its set so that we started to drift. We both pulled and were able to get chain and anchor up. Just as we finished, I heard the Juneau Coast Guard hailing us on VHF. BOATUS evidently just called the CG instead of looking for local services. In addition, as multiple friends were trying to contact BOATUS on our behalf, Ketchikan CG was also called!
I assured them that the issue was resolved and promised to call their office when we got back on the dock in Petersburg.
The lesson here was that it would be helpful to designate a single person as a relay for messages such as this. Alternatively, use the DeLorme to send a group message so duplicate calls for assistance don't get sent out!
The next day (this morning), the dock rallied around us and several suggestions were given to unjam the windlass. The winning solution was to use a very large, flat head screwdriver and drive it down into the knot with a rubber mallet. I was happy to not have to cut and resplice the rode!
The next step was to to lay out all 320 feet of nylon anchor line on the dock and take out all the twists. Finally, the whole system was reassembled, I turned the windlass breakers back on, and tested; all was well.
I had anchored before on this trip, but this time I was unlucky and got a jam. I think that when I spliced on my new long nylon anchor line I had some twists. I should have laid the whole length out on the dock and ensured that It was straight before I spliced it. I am now the proud owner of my very own rubber mallet and giant screwdriver, thus ensuring this will never happen again!
I wanted to pass along a few lessons that I learned yesterday:
We left Petersburg yesterday morning, intending to anchor in Cleveland Passage (about 38 nm from here). I put down the anchor in about 50 feet, and all was fine until I decided to let out a bit more scope. The windlass stopped. I was unable to move it more than a small amount either up or down. I found that a kink or knot had gotten pulled up into the teeth of the windlass and it was not going to move.
I worked on it for a few hours, in the rain naturally, and was unable to work the jam loose. I decided to pull the anchor up by hand, but it was set tight and I let the rode back out. I started to take apart the windlass but decided there was too much risk in losing small parts.
By this time I decided to use my DeLorme Inreach to try and get some assistance with the windlass. It turned out that BOATUS is not reachable except by telephone or VHF, neither of which was available from that location. So, Carol (my swab) and I both sent messages to distant friends to ask them to contact BOATUS for us. That took some time, and in the meanwhile, the anchor that I had been unsuccessfully trying to pull up finally lost its set so that we started to drift. We both pulled and were able to get chain and anchor up. Just as we finished, I heard the Juneau Coast Guard hailing us on VHF. BOATUS evidently just called the CG instead of looking for local services. In addition, as multiple friends were trying to contact BOATUS on our behalf, Ketchikan CG was also called!
I assured them that the issue was resolved and promised to call their office when we got back on the dock in Petersburg.
The lesson here was that it would be helpful to designate a single person as a relay for messages such as this. Alternatively, use the DeLorme to send a group message so duplicate calls for assistance don't get sent out!
The next day (this morning), the dock rallied around us and several suggestions were given to unjam the windlass. The winning solution was to use a very large, flat head screwdriver and drive it down into the knot with a rubber mallet. I was happy to not have to cut and resplice the rode!
The next step was to to lay out all 320 feet of nylon anchor line on the dock and take out all the twists. Finally, the whole system was reassembled, I turned the windlass breakers back on, and tested; all was well.
I had anchored before on this trip, but this time I was unlucky and got a jam. I think that when I spliced on my new long nylon anchor line I had some twists. I should have laid the whole length out on the dock and ensured that It was straight before I spliced it. I am now the proud owner of my very own rubber mallet and giant screwdriver, thus ensuring this will never happen again!