Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 32

ju
ust ask
John
h
PROPE
ER ANCHORING PRA
ACTICES
CAN'T BE STRESSED ENOUGH

00(2&0++.%'00AP

I recently received the following questiion about Anchor Type
es
t h e l e n g t h o f c h a i n a t t a c h e d t o t h e a n c h o r Danforth and Mushroom
M
anchors are the most popular for
line or rode between the anchor and the line. small boats. The
e Mushroom anchor is often ussed by anglers
who don't stay lo
ong in any one location. They should
s
always
I gather the old 'rule of thumb'' for anchor rode is tha
at the chain *0"3($*#0/2*$*032*0%1&0*0*1".+0$*1%2*#
#01�.%'+0
length should be about the length of the boat. Do
o you know released.
what that's based on? For a 27 to 30-foot sailboatt, how much
chain should I use?? Wo
Would 50 feett off chain be bettter as far as Selecting Th
he Anchorage
swing goes? W
Wee don't
don t want to go all chain as it would
w
be too Anchoring is no
ot always as easy as it seems
seem
ms and a little
much weiigghtt in th
the bow.
practice will be a big help. Choose a well-protected area,
erably with
h a flat bottom. Approach slowly upwind
preffe
The length of chain is really based on the weight of chain 1 1.&"3032*0%$$*&302*%'03213032*0.33*$0*�."0.&#**#0
32130/.++02*+)03(0'**)032*01&%2($0$(#*0%+("*03(02($.!(&31+0 tied to the boat..
nearr the anchor so that the anchor will maintain
n its "bite"
on
n the bottom. Forr a 27 to 30-ffo
oot boat, depending
g on the When
n in position, stop the boatt and lower the anchor slowweight of the chain, about 25 feet should do the job ade- ly over the bow
w until it reaches the bottom. If anchoring
quately.
overnig
gh
ht, allow
w room for the boat to swing as the wind
d and
current may cha
ange. Yo
You need a larger anchor for overnight
If you need some additional weight, a small mushroom use and stormy
y weather. Lower, never throw
w,, the anchor
1&%2($01%3.& 01"010/*. 230($0'*++*301(300*
**30$
$(032*0 overr the side.
main anchor should do a good job.

Setting The Anchor

The following is from the Canadian Power and Sail Squad- To set the anch
hor, run the boat slowly astern and let the
$(&00(13.& 01".%"01&#
#(('0"*#0(
($0)$*)1$.& 0 anchor line run
n out until its length is about 5 to 7 times
for the test for the Pleasure Crafftt Operator Card (PCOC). the depth of the water plus the height of the bow above the
water. Then tie the
t line to a strong point on the boat's bow.

Anchoring

The anchorr,, and the line or chain attached to it (the "rode"), As the anchor sets,
s
the bow will turn into the wind and
are very important pieces off equipment. An anchor can 32*01&%2($0+.&*0/.++0"3()0*$'.& 0$(03.*03(03.*0%2*%'0
1'*032*0#.
*$*&%*0*3/
3/**&0"1*
*301�#."1"3*$0
to see that yourr anchor is holding, not dragging. Use two
+1&#1$'"03(0).&
&)(.&30($0)(".3.(&001&%2($.& 0130&. 230
The anchor line should always be attached to the anchor you must displa
ay an anchor light - a white light visible all
and the other end of the line (bitter end) tied to the boat. around.
1&01&%2($"0
1&(
($320$%*0($3$*""01�+(/0/($'0
02(('.& 0.&032*0(33(0
2*0"31
102(('*#0*"30.010+*& 320 For more inform
mation
n about CPS-ECP and its courses, visit
(0%21.&02(+#"032*0"21&'0(032*01&%2($0(&032*0(33(0	0 www.boatingco
ourses.ca 
+*& 320(0%21.&03/(0($032$**0*3$*"0+(& 0"2(+#0*033*#0
between the anchorr and the line to help accomplish
h this.

32

Canadian Yachting

June 2020
http://www.boatingcourses.ca
Canadian Yachting June 2020

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