Before reading on, please take a moment to fill out this week’s survey so we can share your knowledge and experiences with the Cruising Compass family. Thanks.
Do you ever flush the raw water side of your marine diesel’s cooling system?
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer last week’s survey on how you set up your anchoring systems in advance of a predicted storm. We received many answers from some very well prepared and season cruisers. Here are a good cross section of the responses which will reinforce our existing thoughts on the subject and add some new ideas as well.
88# Delta on 250’ 3/8 chain. Add a 44# claw ahead for tandem setup. Also FX 37 Fortress on 50’ 3/8 chain with 200’ 3/8 nylon rode. Add Kelley too. Snubber and rode additionally led aft to belay on mast.
Our 120lbs Bruce anchor with 300 feet of chain. A second anchor, Fortress 50, is set up ready to deploy if necessary
Our storm ground tackle is what we use every day. It is silly to try and change anchors, etc. when bad conditions are developing. We are full time high latitude cruisers and have 2- 100# anchors ready to deploy on the bow, and 4 back-up anchors.
My primary anchor (Spade) is significantly oversized for my boat, and I would plan to use that by itself under most conditions. If the wind was predicted to swing (as it would in a hurricane) I also have an oversized Fortress I could deploy. Under some conditions I could see using warps to trees ashore.
100 m 10 mm chain attached to 60 m 29 mm nylon line. 35 kg anchor for my 12 ton sailing yacht. All canvas secured dinghy on davets with motor attached. Second anchor with chain and rode ready but not used if wind is to swing. Food prepared.
Storm, 34-63 kt, with little fetch in the anchorage, scope of 7-10, lengthen the snubber to 10-15 ft. With longer fetch scope of 10+, double up on the snubbers at 15+ ft and move the attachment point down to the lower anchor rode fitting at the vessels waterline. When in tight anchorage with vessels upwind, we leave and ride it out at sea if there is running room available.
Primary CQR, 35 lbs, 60 feet of chain, 250 feet of 5/8s line. Secondary Mantus, 25 lbs, 10 feet on chain, 200 feet of line. This is for a Catalina 350 coastal cruiser. I also have a 40 lb kedge.
Two bower weight anchors, one on all chain, second chain plus nylon warp giving longer scope. Layout depends on anchorage and expected wind shifts. Much better though, if depths and shoreline permit as in Norway and a few places on W coast of Scotland, is to moor close in to a steep rock face that will remain to windward with anchor astern and shore lines. Even better with trees to break the wind so that you can sit in a calm spot watching the wild breaking waves just outside the anchorage.
I let out as much rode as possible. Then I attach a bridle to the outboard ends of my forward crossbeam using double sets of nylon rode. I also attach a line from the anchor rode to the center hull of my trimaran to share some of the load. The majority of the load is on the forward beams. I also raise the centerboard and rudder completely out of the water. All sails and canvas has been removed and stowed below deck. Then I get off of the boat if I can.
Depending on predicted wind direction and speed, up to three anchors set with maximum scope for the anchorage and possibly in a star configuration.
88# Delta on 250’ 3/8 chain. Add a 44# claw ahead for tandem setup. Also FX 37 Fortress on 50’ 3/8 chain with 200’ 3/8 nylon rode. Add Kellet, too. Snubber and rode additionally led aft to belay on mast.
Our 120 lbs Bruce anchor with 300 feet of chain. A second anchor, Fortress 50, is set up ready to deploy if necessary
Our storm ground tackle is what we use every day. It is silly to try and change anchors, etc. when bad conditions are developing. We are full time high latitude cruisers and have 2- 100# anchors ready to deploy on the bow, and 4 back-up anchors.
My primary anchor (Spade) is significantly oversized for my boat, and I would plan to use that by itself under most conditions. If the wind was predicted to swing (as it would in a hurricane) I also have an oversized Fortress I could deploy. Under some conditions I could see using warps to trees ashore.
100 m 10 mm chain attached to 60 m 29 mm nylon line. 35 kg anchor for my 12 ton sailing yacht. All canvas secured dinghy on davets with motor attached. Second anchor with chain and rode ready but not used if wind is to swing. Food prepared.
Storm, 34-63 kt, with little fetch in the anchorage, scope of 7-10, lengthen the snubber to 10-15 ft. With longer fetch scope of 10+, double up on the snubbers at 15+ ft and move the attachment point down to the lower anchor rode fitting at the vessels waterline. When in tight anchorage with vessels upwind, we leave and ride it out at sea if there is running room available.
Primary CQR, 35 lbs, 60 feet of chain, 250 feet of 5/8s line. Secondary Mantus, 25 lbs, 10 feet on chain, 200 feet of line. This is for a Catalina 350 coastal cruiser. I also have a 40 lb kedge.
Two bower weight anchors, one on all chain, second chain plus nylon warp giving longer scope. Layout depends on anchorage and expected wind shifts. Much better though, if depths and shoreline permit as in Norway and a few places on W coast of Scotland, is to moor close in to a steep rock face that will remain to windward with anchor astern and shore lines. Even better with trees to break the wind so that you can sit in a calm spot watching the wild breaking waves just outside the anchorage.
I let out as much rode as possible. Then I attach a bridle to the outboard ends of my forward crossbeam using double sets of nylon rode. I also attach a line from the anchor rode to the center hull of my trimaran to share some of the load. The majority of the load is on the forward beams. I also raise the centerboard and rudder completely out of the water. All sails and canvas has been removed and stowed below deck. Then I get off of the boat if I can.
Depending on predicted wind direction and speed, up to three anchors set with maximum scope for the anchorage and possibly in a star configuration.
