23.5 Anchoring technique

[Hugh Straub]

I am puzzled about the 23.5 anchor locker design and molded in "chock" on the starboard bow. The bow cleat is well forward of the anchor locker and its molded chock. There is no useful chock or fairlead useable from that forward cleat. Combining that apparent omission with the bow's tendency quickly to fall off in response to even the slightest breeze, begs the question of how does the single handed sailor anchor?

I'm thinking that while approaching the anchoring location with my auto pilot, I could fasten a snatch block to the stem head fitting to use as a fairlead from the bow cleat for the anchor rode. I'd then bring the anchor back to the cockpit, routing the rode from the snatch block outboard of the bow pulpit and shrouds. I could then drop the anchor from the cockpit while maintaining control of rudder and motor for anchor positioning as well as backing down to set the hook.

Doubtless folks on this site have developed a simpler, more efficient plan and I'd be grateful to learn it.

Kind regards

Hugh Straub

 

[caguy]

You might want to add a bow roller. I don't know how anyone does without one. My Cat 27 did not have one and I hated dragging the chain over the edge whee pulling up or letting out the anchor. It simply makes deploying and retrieving the anchor 100x's easier.
I also don't understand you issues with anchoring solo. Unless it is a rough day I just stop the boat walk up to the bow and lower the anchor. Drift and wait until the right amount of rode is out. Tie off and then go back to the cockpit and set the anchor.
If the water is rough I may deploy from the cockpit., but all that has to be set up in advance anyway. Just make sure in rough weather that you tether yourself in so you don't join your anchor.
If you find yourself solo often, then an autopilot is really useful. I find my first mate Otto more reliable than most of my guest.
Mooring is a whole nuther issue.

 

[Erieau]

+1 on the autotiller. Tilly never complains of being bored, hungry, or sea sick, and LOVES holding the boat at a constant heading.

I actually like your snatch block idea, particularly for its use in retrieving the anchor while motoring out. Food for thought.

 

[Forrest15112]

I also don't understand you issues with anchoring solo. Unless it is a rough day I just stop the boat walk up to the bow and lower the anchor. Drift and wait until the right amount of rode is out. Tie off and then go back to the cockpit and set the anchor.

This has always worked for me.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

For every foot of depth, the suggested rode is 7 feet per 1 foot of depth.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

These boats are small, and so are the anchors. It is easy to drop all sails, head up into the wind, and walk forward. You will have the anchor out and down before you have significant way on from drifting down wind. You can use that drift to set the anchor.

It really doesn't matter which way the bow is pointing when you drop the anchor and let out the line. You will still be drifting down wind from the anchor. Cleat it and the bow swings into the wind.

It just takes a little practice to over shoot your mark and put the anchor where you need it.

The only tip is to ensure the anchor is properly stowed after each use so you don't need any time to ready it.

I leave anchor the same way. I bring it up and stow it prior to hoisting the sails. Unless you are in tight quarters, and should be under power, there isn't enough drift to worry about doing any of this in a hurry.

Your snatch block sounds like an ideal way to lead the line to the cleat.