Uphill Anchoring

[Kimberly Dawn]

If our US-Canadian border opens up without any onerous quarantine restrictions... IF, IF, IF... I have a group headed up to Desolation Sound.

One stop, Teakerne Arms, is one of two anchorages. It is a steep-sloped shoreline which requires stern tieing. I have every confidence in my Rocna anchor to hold in an uphill set.

My question is for anyone who has trailered to Lake Chelan, WA and anchored. I see similarities to Teakerne Arms, although anchor fouling because of stumps is a possibility.

So, has anyone ever anchored at Lake Chelan?

2nd question for extra credit: my previous boat came with a Bruce style claw anchor, where the chain is shackled to the shank at the bend and zip-tied to the end.

Theoretically, if the anchor gets fouled you can reverse your retrieval location, pull under load, and break the zip-ties, effectively eliminating the "plow" and increasing your chance of retrieval. Any thoughts?

Bob
The Doghouse 2

 

[Karll]

Not on anchoring but I had 5 lb anchors zip tied that way to my shrimp pots and if they got fouled it worked great for breaking it free!

 

[Fisho]

When anchoring with my ROCNA over night in a new area or where I suspect there may be some logs or something the anchor may foul on, I attach a light floating ski rope with a float to the end of the ROCNA (must be longer than depth of water). This has saved me several times when the anchor became stuck. I have a large drum winch operated in cabin that can really lock the anchor on the bottom. This method has saved me a few times in being able to easily retrieve the anchor. Very easy to just lift it up manually.

 

[NorthernFocus]

...Theoretically, if the anchor gets fouled you can reverse your retrieval location, pull under load, and break the zip-ties, effectively eliminating the "plow" and increasing your chance of retrieval. Any thoughts?

As the old saying goes there's no free lunch. Yes rigging as described does indeed work as advertised. Unfortunately the anchor may " trip" when you don't want it to and there's no way to know other than visual inspection.

And how could it trip? For example you're anchored up and the anchor is dug in like a tick. Knowing that fact you're sleeping like a baby. Some time during the night tide or wind causes you to swing 180. With the anchor well planted the line puts enough load in the wrong direction and the zip ties break. If you're lucky you wake up wondering where you are. If not so lucky you wake up to the sickening sound of fiberglass crunching on rock.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Dan, right you are that situations can arise that can overcome the best laid plans. Anyone thinking their system is foolproof is, well, foolish. Setting my phone based drift alarm gives me another layer of awareness that helps me sleep.

I already have a trip line I will use where I feel anchor fouling is a distinct possibility. Researching the history of Lake Chelan, it is a natural lake carved out by glacial activity in a mountain valley, not created by a man-made dam. I should probably be more concerned about rocks than stumps.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback!

 

[scross]

Bob, last summer we tried to anchor at Teakerne Arm and after a few attempts gave up. There were already about 10 boats anchored in what looked to be the best spots on the northern shore west from the falls. We could see bottom down to about 30 feet or so. Once you got a bit away from the shore the bottom was ALL rocks. From basketball sized to big ones of 10-15 ft diameter. Just could not get a good set in the rocks and was afraid of getting the anchor permanently wedged between rocks. Later found out there are two better little coves on the east shore heading south from the falls called “Great Sex Cove” and “Bad Sex Cove”. Don’t blame me, I didn’t name them. From the description of them as an anchorage they probably would have worked.

 

[Red Raven]

In 2016 we meta couple on a 50 ft boat who got the anchor hung up in Teakerne. They had to cut it loose. I would just do a drive by to see the falls and stay only if the small anchorage in front of the falls is available. Otherwise move on to Squirrel Cove.

Curt