Again about anchoring in deep water.

[Severin]

Well, as you may guess I'm really new to all this and I do not have a boat yet, but reading postings here I do not understand something. If the long chain is needed to provide a horizontal pull on the anchor (with its weight) why it cannot be accomplished with "second anchor" that would be nothing more, but let say big chunk of steel or something else heavy enough. I'll try to make myself clear. Let say you have an anchor and 20' or whatever of chain attached and from there you have a rope. Now, after you drop your anchor make sure you have enough rope out and drop that chunk of steel that can slide down on the rope until it will hit the bottom. Pull the rope until chain will hit this weight ("second anchor"). I guess this additional weight will keep the pull on the anchor horizontal (well, till some point, depending on the pull of the boat). I understand that you will have to have the weight of this chunk of steel the same as you'd have in the long chain, but I guess it wont take as much room. Am I missing something? Probably so, because it's too easy and I'm sure somebody would find it out by now. But what is wrong with this picture anyway?Severin.

 

[Bob Zolczer]

Nothing wrong with this picture

What you're talking about is known as an anchor sentinel (the brits call them angels) which have been used for a couple hundred years.

 

[GERRY HULL]

ANCHOR SENTINEL

We call it the lead. Its a cast 30 lb. lead weight with a brass hoop at the top. A plumber friend made it for me in 1972 and it has now lived on 3 different boats. This device has been deployed in all kinds of violent weather and has doubtlessly saved my bacon more than once. Best way to deploy it is with agood size snatch block and a long 3/8th messenger line. You need the smooth running block to get it to run down the anchor line when the wind is screeching and the anchorline is practically horizontal. Its also great in tight harbors where idiots are likely to run over your anchor line. With "the Lead " on, the rode drops practically straight down from the bow. Single best piece of equipment I have ever owned... cheap and requires no service. Youl sleep much better with it on your rode at night. Can't imagine cruising without it. Store it low down in the bilge!

 

[Dennis Thomas]

Remember the messenger line.

In my reply of 7/6, I mentioned "other weight on the rode" but didn't get into particulars. There are anchor sentinels available in the supply catalogs with wheels or rollers built in. Having one made like Gerry is a great idea. You could size it for your conditions and your boat. Don't forget the messenger line. You need to retrieve the sentinel before you raise the anchor. An added benefit of the sentinel is that it acts as a shock absorber on the anchor line. As your boat tugs on the rode, the lifting and dropping of the sentinel takes the sudden shock out of the pull that you would get with an all chain rode.