Solo Anchoring w/ No Windlass Tips?

[ken35216]

Wear a pfd, things can go south quickly in the current.

Just in case someone missed this.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

I'm not sure that I'd have enough horsepower to swamp the boat if the anchor was tied to the stern cleat. If so, it would still probably require steep seas and a phenomenal lack of judgement.

But tying off to the boat and using its rocking motion, if required, would work much better on the CD 16 if using a side cleat. Jumping up and down on the bow to get the boat rocking is both ineffectual and dangerous for the solo boater. Tying off to a side cleat and moving side-to-side in the safety of the cockpit sounds better to me. I don't know how much moving side-to-side rocks the larger C Dorys, but I would guess that it is more than walking stem-to-stern. On the 16, a passenger going quickly side-to-side is enough to spill a coffee cup. I've done that experiment more than once.

For remote solo anchoring I have also used a trip line and always carry one with me. If the anchor fouls on a cable or sunken tree, the trip line probably beats all other retrieval methods. My line and float is barely larger than a pop can, so it won't be mistaken for a mooring buoy by another boat. Plus, I rarely anchor in a place where another boat could fit.

We just spent 10 days anchoring about twice a day. I went on the foredeck once when I harvested so much seaweed that the anchor wouldn't seat properly.

Mark

 

[hardee]

Mark, I used to anchor my Montgomery 15 (sailboat), which is about the same size and weight as your 16. The anchor was deployed over the side, but always cleated off at the bow. When retrieving, I would take in the rode until tight, pull just a bit more to depress the bow slightly into the water, then snub the line with a wrap on the cleat and move aft. the bow would raise about 6 inches, (maybe the Monty had more rocker than the CD-16), and that one time was usually enough to release the anchor. Moving side to side might work too, but you don't have the buoyancy of the bow working for you. (And I would always be nervous about having the anchor cleated to the side.)

I like your idea of the trip line.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[ssobol]

... Jumping up and down on the bow to get the boat rocking is both ineffectual and dangerous for the solo boater. ...

Jumping up and down is not actually required. You can get the bow moving up and down just by pulling on the line to the stuck anchor or taking advantage of the wave action on the boat.

 

[Foggy]

Ultimate cure for fishermen who are frustrated and have difficulty
retrieving their anchor: Order fish off a menu after you tie up at a
dock.

Aye.

 

[colbysmith]

For remote solo anchoring I have also used a trip line and always carry one with me. If the anchor fouls on a cable or sunken tree, the trip line probably beats all other retrieval methods. My line and float is barely larger than a pop can, so it won't be mistaken for a mooring buoy by another boat.

Mark, thanks for posting this. I don't usually use a trip line. (When I do, I put it out with the regular anchor line.) And I rarely use a float to mark where my anchor is. (But when I do, it's not attached as a trip line...) However, if I understand correctly what you are saying, you do both with the same line. I'm getting ready to go to Lake Powell, and I do use a trip line there, just in case. (Or plan to anywhere else I know boulders or other fouling exists.) Never thought about putting a float on the trip line to also mark the anchor from other boaters overanchoring me. Simple things that slip by me. lol I'll have to mark my anchor that way more frequently. (I'm always a bit worried in busy anchorages of someone being over my scope.) Colby

 

[Ordutch1975]

I anchor alone from time to time. Most of the time closer to the banks of the river. I have never had an issue - bring boat to a halt (use an appropriate anchor makes a world of difference I use a Mantus and have never had an issue setting it in the Columbia or Multnomah channel. I bring the boat close to a halt walk with PFD to the front of boat drop the anchor give it an additional 5* drop length - let the current pull the boat while you release line. Once the line grabs put her just out of neutral in reverse IE the back of boat follows the current. With the mantus she grabs immediately - when you don't move in reverse you are good. To get her out I do the reverse. I find it easier to go up river a bit pull her loose and then run up front (hatch works great for quick access to anchor pull her up and your done. I have yet to find myself stuck with anchor. Keep in mind the current will want to pull you down river so on the Columbia depending on where you are timing is everything. Don't dilly dally. using the birth hatch to get out IMO is safer than trying to run around the boat.

(note once I get her up river from the anchor I put her in neutral I don't want the rope to tangle with the prop)

 

[Ordutch1975]

It’s funny I didn’t get the windless because in theory I am young enough to pull up an achor myself - now I regret not having had it installed at the factory - this will be our next purchase.

 

[hardee]

It’s funny I didn’t get the windless because in theory I am young enough to pull up an anchor myself - now I regret not having had it installed at the factory - this will be our next purchase.

I single hand 98% of the time, and anchor more often than not. I consider the windlass as on of my most used safety devices. I rarely go forward for either anchoring or retrieval. I did foul on a big piece of metal rack one time. Fortunately, the windlass was able to lift it up to where I could deal with it.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

It’s funny I didn’t get the windless because in theory I am young enough to pull up an achor myself - now I regret not having had it installed at the factory - this will be our next purchase.

I had the same rational when I bought my boat, but 13 years later and now in my 70s, it’s going to be my next big gear purchase. An ambulance ride because my back hurt so bad I couldn’t get off the floor helped with the decision.

 

[South of Heaven]

OP: If you don't have an anchor drag alarm on your electronics then download an app on your phone.

If you don't then you won't get any sleep at all....Unless you're an old salt but I don't think you are since you posted this thread. LOL!

I like using moorings when at all possible!

 

[ssobol]

I don't use an anchor alarm because then for sure I would not get any sleep, just be waiting for it to go off.

I just make sure the anchor is set well and then go to sleep. I also don't anchor where there are large current shifts or large tidal swings.

 

[thataway]

I have never used an anchor alarm. I have marked where the anchor was dropped when we got accurate GPS. I still take bearings on objects on shore, and record them, so I have references. (GPS makes this much better).

I set my anchor, with the boat's power in reverse, so I know it is well set. Some bottoms and holding grounds take several "Sets" to be sure that the anchor is properly set, and will not drag under conditions encountered.

I also always have a plan for alternate anchorages, or having to leave and "put to sea" if an anchorage becomes untenable. Don't be afraid to move at night--and have that move mapped out at least in your head, if it is necessary. Know what might happen, as the wind and waves (current also) shift, and if there is any risk for your boat.

I sleep well, but, I get up every couple of hours to check my bearings or GPS position and check the weather. Also to look and see how nearby boats are riding, and if there are any potential issues.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Bob, I get up several times as well. Age related , and I also check location bearings.

 

[Kushtaka]

If the windlass is down I can haul my anchor from my pot puller in the cockpit. If I'm solo and without a motor to pull the anchor, I use the line running from my bow eye to my cockpit running through a regular 2" ring.

I drop my anchor from the cockpit, tie it to the ring at the desired scope, and let it go. It zips right up to the bow.

When it's time to pull I motor up and alongside it, let the ring come all the way aft, and then grab it. If I'm puling by hand I'll clip a buoy to the ring, run the free end of the rode through the ring (it would be easier with a anchoring ring that opens/closes, but I don't have one) and cleat it to the stern line, and motor the boat away and around the anchor. It comes right up, then I pull in the anchor by hand with the bulk of the weight on the float.

I use the same technique if I'm bringing the rode to the cockpit to haul up with the line hauler.

 

[thataway]

The reason I don't like moorings is that you have no idea what the terminal tackle's condition is. Have the shackles and chains been regularly inspected and replaced? What type of "anchor" is there?

I have seen moorings give way during storms. I have also moved mooring blocks which were in the tons of weight.

I know that my anchoring gear is in first class condition, and what to expect of it.

 

[colbysmith]

The nice thing about docks or shore ties, you don't have to worry about current, wind, anchor or mooring ball drag, anchor alarms or hourly position checks! Or standing on deck to drop or weigh anchor! (Of course, calm water is still preferred! :wink: ) Colby

 

[ssobol]

The nice thing about docks or shore ties, you don't have to worry about current, wind, anchor or mooring ball drag, anchor alarms or hourly position checks! Or standing on deck to drop or weigh anchor! (Of course, calm water is still preferred! :wink: ) Colby

You just have to worry about the side of your boat getting beat up by banging against the dock caused by wind, waves, or wakes. There can also be issues with fixed docks and tidal changes.

One disadvantage with O/B engines is that they can be vulnerable to dock damage because they are a prominent protuberance at one end of the boat. In the mid Atlantic region, a large number of the docks are fixed and have short fingers. The usually requires backing into the slip if you want to be able to get on and off a boat as small as a C-Dory. If not tied carefully, this can put the motor(s) at risk of bashing against the dock.

 

[colbysmith]

You just have to worry about the side of your boat getting beat up by banging against the dock caused by wind, waves, or wakes. There can also be issues with fixed docks and tidal changes.

No tidal changes in the Great Lakes! But I do agree about the wind and such. That's why I said calm water. If the wind and waves are that bad at night, I choose to be off the water. Colby

 

[ssobol]

You just have to worry about the side of your boat getting beat up by banging against the dock caused by wind, waves, or wakes. There can also be issues with fixed docks and tidal changes.

No tidal changes in the Great Lakes! But I do agree about the wind and such. That's why I said calm water. If the wind and waves are that bad at night, I choose to be off the water. Colby

My boat got beat up at a dock in a developed area when we left it tied up for lunch once. Wakes from passing boats (while we were away) took the rub strip off my boat and off the dock where I was tied up.