[C320-list] Anchor Rode and Filter Wrench

[Larry Frank]

Since my question was directed to Warren I will answer his email.

However I find it a universal truth that if you you want to start a heated
debate over something at the yacht club bar just bring up your views on
the right way to anchor or the best anchor, etc.  I know we have all been
there.

To Warren, I see your point.  I never would have thought of that.  We have
30¡¯ of chain but hardly ever anchor in more that 8-9 feet of water.
Interestingly we never use the windlass so what you bring up is not
something I would take into consideration.  Instead the first mate or
other crew will motor up to the anchor location while I keep tension on
the rode from the bow.  This keeps the boat pointed in the direction of
the anchor.  If we start going too fast I will have the helmsman go to
neutral while I get caught up at the bow.  Hand signals work wonderful for
this.  When we get to the chain I just keep pulling until we are over the
anchor.  At this point it does get a little tricky.  I bring the chain
around the outside of the starboard bow cleat and turn it forward under
the aft horn.  I then use my foot (shoe on) to trap it in position.  If
needed the helmsman can then motor forward to break out the anchor.
Normally very little motoring is required as the chain will be very near
vertical at this point.

My opinion is that a larger anchor and longer heavier chain will always
take precedence over convenience or ease of retrieving the anchor when
anchoring overnight.  I second the idea of using a weight (aka sentinel)
on the rode to increase the anchor¡¯s holding power and likelihood of
breaking out in the event of gusty winds or wave action.  I have a product
called a "rode roller" for this purpose. It was from Ada Leisure Products
but I could not find it online now.  I have had it for 25-30 years now.
It is a heavy brass or bronze weight with a build in sheave wheel and loop
to tie a line on.  Works great.

My better half seems to think there is a problem with writing web messages
about boating Christmas Eve so I gotta go.

Merry Christmas to all.

Larry
WindSwept 
Catalina 320 #246 

On 12/22/18, 3:38 PM, "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:

>Chris is right, if too much chain for typical anchorage you'll have the
>chain on-deck to secure rather than the rode. You can attach a line from
>the overboard chain to tie to a bow cleat. This can be a PIA should you
>have to adjust the rode, esp. in middle of night and/or in weather. The
>issue really is how much chain is necessary to create a proper catenary?
>I don't have a proper answer to that one; but, the original (smaller)
>anchor had only 8' and was not a problem.
>
>In a related matter, the windlass should not be used to break-out an
>anchor. I'm told it's not designed for that load. I will use the windlass
>to pull up to the anchor, then pull up the slack by hand as much as
>possible and secure on bow cleat. Be patient and let the waves stress the
>line. As the line slacks, remove slack and re-cleat. The anchor will
>gradually break out, then use the windlass. Even in a calm, this will
>usually work. This offered from the Chesapeake Bay were 99% of anchorages
>are in mud, soft and hard.
>
>Warren & Pattie Updike
>C320 1994 #62 ¡°Warr de Mar¡±
>Middle River, MD (Chesapeake Bay)
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
>Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2018 11:38 AM
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Anchor Rode and Filter Wrench
>
>Larry, we have 25¡¯ of chain and anchor mostly in shallow water. This
>usually puts the chain at the drum before the anchor can be freed easily
>with the engine or the windlass. I have added a ¡®snubber ¡®from the anchor
>to the end of the chain as a work around but it is really messy in the
>mud even with a washdown hose in the anchor well.
>
>Thanks,
>Chris Burti
>Commitment #867
>Farmville, NC
>
>From: Larry Frank
>Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2018 11:20 AM
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Anchor Rode and Filter Wrench
>
>Hey Warren,
>
>I understand what you are saying about not needing more that 12©ö of chain.
> However I don©öt understand why 18©ö could be too much.  Can you explain
>what problem this creates?
>
>Larry Frank
>WindSwept
>C320 #246
>
>On 12/20/18, 3:36 PM, "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>On the basis that opinions are like noses, everybody has one, I'll
>>offer something. The amount of chain vs rode is a variable and depends,
>>partly, on where you typically anchor. Here on the Chesapeake we often
>>anchor in
>>10-15 feet, and often less, not very often more. Advice I received from
>>an old salt whose opinion I value is that more than 12' is not necessary.
>>On our current rode there is 18' and often I find that too much.
>>
>>Warren & Pattie Updike
>>C320 1994 #62 ©øWarr de Mar©÷
>>Middle River, MD (Chesapeake Bay)
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Michael Leschisin <mleschisin at imagestudios.com>
>>Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 12:14 PM
>>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>Subject: [C320-list] Anchor Rode and Filter Wrench
>>
>>
>>
>>- A couple quick questions for discussion on a wintery dayŠŠ
>>
>>What are y©öall using for anchor rode?
>>  
>>The standard 250 feet of 1/2 inch three strand nylon (with 50©ö of chain
>>up front) that came with the boat is what I have onboard now, but my
>>boat turns 15 years old this summer, so I©öm thinking its time for
>>replacement.
>> (I©öm guessing the previous owner never replaced)   Half inch seems
>>pretty skinny to me, but it is what Catalina supplied with the boatŠŠ
>>I'm thinking of upgrading to 5/8 but wondering if this is overkill.
>>Any opinions?
>>
>>- Secondly, has anyone found a good tool for unscrewing the inline
>>Yanmar fuel filter housing? (The filter thats attached to the engine
>>block, not the Raycor).
>>
>>I©öm thinking of picking up a 2 1/2 inch spanner wrench but it looks
>>like it might be tough to navigate around the fuel line when using it;
>>looking for any ideas on what works best here.  I used the ©øtap
>>screwdriver with light hammer©÷ method this fall when winterizing but
>>I©öm not too crazy about marring up the filter housing collar over time.
>>
>>
>>
>>Thanks for the help!
>>
>>Merry Christmas everyone!
>>
>>
>>
>>Michael Leschisin
>>#995, Wild Blue Yonder
>>Menominee, MI
>>
>>
>>
>>
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