Anchor Windlass

[frank balcer]

Just purchased a 37 Kirie Elite sllop, keel/centerboard. Previous owner struggled a lot getting the claw anchor unhooked. Our sailing area bottom consists of sand/mud. Any ideas of what size or make of anchor windlass needed for a 37 footer? Thanks all.......

 

[frank balcer]

Forgot to mention, boat weighs 13,000 lbs.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Frank, before you invest in an expensive windlass and its associated electrical support system, have you considered retrieving your anchor by getting the rode vertical and then motoring the anchor out? I do that every week. That is if your back is up to it?

 

[WayneH]

Use a tag line on the anchor. My claw has a hole on the opposite end of the shank. A line attached there allows you to "back out" the anchor easier with easier being a relative term. A float of some kind attached to the tag line does several things. It keeps people from anchoring over your anchor. It holds your tag line at the surface so it doesn't get tangled in the anchor rode. And if you ever need to just cast off your anchor line, you'll know where it is when you come back.

Another method that I use most times is to run a spare line from the bow to a genoa winch. Tie the line to the anchor rode and use the genoa winch to break the anchor free of the bottom. This is especially helpful after getting pounded by a storm because that claw will completely sink in a blow.

My specs: The Tartan weighs 15,500 pounds, 300 feet of anchor line, 40 feet of chain ending with the claw. I usually get to tie the spare line on the chain.

One last thought: I saw a gentleman get his anchor line somewhat close but not tight and then he motored around the anchor. He called it "Unscrewing the anchor from the bottom". And it worked for him.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Scope

One last thought: I saw a gentleman get his anchor line somewhat close but not tight and then he motored around the anchor. He called it "Unscrewing the anchor from the bottom". And it worked for him.

Good story. Usually unnecessary, though, except after a really big storm. In most overnight anchoring exercises, you use the "SCOPE" to your advantage. Remember scope, right? You let out a lot of rode to keep the anchor from lifting off the bottom.

When you want to depart, you put the boat as directly over the anchor as you can. If it's not windy you can do this by simply pulling the boat forward by pulling in the rode. If it's windy, use the engine (or sails) - I do it all the time by myself. Once the boat is over the anchor, even the best of anchors WILL come up off the seabed, because you've reduced the scope to 1:1.

I have used the genoa winch, maybe two times in 13 years. In both cases the anchor was caught in a telephone cable!!!

 

[hutch5151]

I have a Lofrans "Cayman" on my Kirie-Elite 37. It is more than enough. It is a horizontal windlass with both rope and chain gypsies. I use the rope gypsy whenever I need to go up the mast. However, it did take some significant changes to the anchor locker to make this work. Give me a call and I'll give you more specifics. (850-543-3741) By the way, there is an Kirie- Elite users group on yahoo. Would love to have you join. Great information and resources.

 

[frank balcer]

Hutch, will give you a shout this weekend.... where on yahoo is the Kirie group??...... frank

 

[Bad Obsession]

Actually, even with a windlass you should be using the boat to break the anchor out.

There are all sorts of tricks. A windlass would be a good addition for hauling a rhode and anchor up, but it still shouldn't be the work horse.

I break the anchor out in a process. Since I don't have a windlass and I am doing a 33lb claw with 30 foot of chain I start by shortening the rhode in the morning when I get up. I bring it to where the chain/rope attachment is at the surface of the water. Then, after eating breakfast, I bring in the chain a little more until the anchor is just about under the bow. I will then motor forward and break the anchor out. I then drag the anchor in forward for a little bit to help knock the mud off of it. Finally I bring it up and wash it off.

You may be able to get it up without a windlass but you should still follow these steps without the windlass.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Great description, Bad O.

 

[hutch5151]

Kirie group is here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eliteowners/