Stupid Question About Anchor

[nboyer]

Hello folks. On my past two boats, I've always had an anchor cleat right next to the windlass to secure the rode. Our R-23 has a cleat behind the windlass, which I use to secure the bow ropes via the bow chocks. If I were to secure the rode to this cleat, it would become awkward as the rode rubs against the windlass. Is the windlass self locking as to not require a cleat to secure the rode? Any input greatly appreciated. Cheers! -Norm

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i tie a rope to the anchor line and lead it back to the big cleats. the little cleat isnt up to the task

 

[knotflying]

I have a small cleat in front of the windless and one behind it. You should not rely on the windless to hold. I will tie the rode between the front and the rear cleat as a precaution, but never had an issue with the front not holding. I do have 8 plait line for the rode so it is more pliable.

 

[FWTMD]

The windlass is not designed to carry the load of a boat swinging at anchor. Nor is it designed with enough power to pull the boat forward as you raise the anchor. It is only designed to handle lifting a free chain and anchor.

If on chain, you need a snubber hook with a line attached. Hook it to the chain, tie that line off to a secure it, and ease out a few more inches of chain to take pressure off of the windlass. If on anchor rope, pull in some line to bypass the windlass and tie it off securely. Alternatively you can use a snubber line to tie a rolling hitch to the anchor line, tie off the snubber and ease some inches off the anchor line, like with the chain.

No matter which direction, you need to deal with chafe protection.

 

[Chimo]

My thoughts from an R25SC perspective, agreeing with Gavin.

That small cleat ahead of the windlass is intended to tie off the snubber hook after you have raised the anchor. That way you can take the weight of the anchor and the tension in the rode off the windlass. Without a snubber there's always a chance of a slip on the windlass and an accidental anchor launch. That could be nasty in rough water or while trailering. If you check the backing to that small cleat as well as look at the size of line for which it was designed it wasn't intended to tie off at anchor. That's the function of the large cleat behind the windlass. As suggested, let out some extra rode and take that back over or beside the windlass to tie off. Though the windlass is quite smooth in these areas you should always pay attention to chafing potential.

David

 

[nboyer]

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the input, will take them into consideration. Cheers! -Norm

 

[Hamster]

The cleat on the R-23 is behind the windlass, as Norm noted. Other boats have cleats in front.

I use an anchor snubber (spare rope with clove hitch) to take the load off the windlass. Sometimes, I run the snubber through the bow chocks from the cleat, but find it to be awkward. Usually, I run it from the cleat over the top of the windlass to the rode. Make sure to close your windlass power covers in the event of load time on top of the buttons.

Happy 4th!

 

[nboyer]

Yep, I agree, I've only recently started to run the rode over the windlass and securing it to the back cleat, which is the only cleat at the bow on the R-23. I put a towel on top of the windlass so that it doesn't get chafed. Cheers! -Norm

The cleat on the R-23 is behind the windlass, as Norm noted. Other boats have cleats in front.

I use an anchor snubber (spare rope with clove hitch) to take the load off the windlass. Sometimes, I run the snubber through the bow chocks from the cleat, but find it to be awkward. Usually, I run it from the cleat over the top of the windlass to the rode. Make sure to close your windlass power covers in the event of load time on top of the buttons.

Happy 4th!

 

[JeffRad54]

My R-27 has the anchor cleat forward of the winch and to the side of the bow roller. As a result the anchor rode chafes on the bow roller when cleated. This requires chafing gear, or a bridle, every time when anchoring, even for a lunch hook.

A better design would be a samson post a top the winch so the cleated rode is in line with the bow roller.


Just my 2 cents worth.

Jeff Radwill