Anchoring a C-30 tall rig

Kings Gambit · May 19, 2014

Make a chain snubber. One type has a SS chain hook attached to two nylon lines (bridle form), each of which cleats off on a forward cleat. You hang the bridle below the pulpit and slack the chain coming out of the locker when the hook takes up tension on the chain going down to the anchor. Powerboats (big ones) use these a lot. You could also rig a single line snubber. Chain hook at the end of a nylon rope/rode; hook chain before passing through the bow roller; stop off rode to cleat and slack chain coming out of locker; or let snubber hook pass through the roller with chain a ways, then stop off and slack. For a fair lead through roller, must install a pad eye on center line aft the roller assembly, plus add snatch block; line goes through snatch block to cleat, etc.

Kings Gambit · May 19, 2014

Forgive me, then what are those two big cleats up there for if not [also--in addition to docking] to stop off the nylon anchor rode? Looking for something special? I'm sure this boat has been anchored before.

Stu Jackson · May 19, 2014

I saw a boat like yours just today. They had mounted a BIG cleat centerline, just aft of the opening anchor locker lid. You may have space in front of the lid.

sailorhokie · May 19, 2014

I've had the same question/concern about my Catalina 27. Asked around and the general feeling us that the bowspirit is short and stout enough to handle the loads, particularly the lateral loading when reaching the end of the rode. I also only have 30ft of chain so the snubber solution requires tying a Prussic or Iceicle Hitch to the nylon. I've never tried it but one possible issue with the snubber is chafe where the bow and spirit intersect.

I worry more about the cleats holding up under load with the relatively small washers. Bigger washers or backing plates are my first upgrade for anchoring.

Josh

Jimm · May 20, 2014

ChangsinLattitudes said:
Just spent some time looking over my '81 C-30 tall rig w/a bow sprit. Wondering how you folks anchor seeing as there is no anchor cleat for the rode & Catalina doesnt reccomend let the boat bob up and down w/the rode going through the roller. All Ive got is 2 bow cleats.
So. How do I cleat off the anchor

Thanks!

I sail a 30 TR/wk with a 25# Mantus as my primary anchor, 90ft of chain and 120FT of nylon rode.... I use a nylon snubber cleated to one or both (bridle) bow cleat and cleat the anchor line either to the cleat inside the locker or to the large center line cleat I added just aft of the locker. Anchor line goes over the bow roller -- never a problem. The snubber also allows you to reduce the angle of effort to the anchor.

MH · May 20, 2014

Jimm said:
I sail a 30 TR/wk with a 25# Mantus as my primary anchor, 90ft of chain and 120FT of nylon rode.... I use a nylon snubber cleated to one or both (bridle) bow cleat and cleat the anchor line either to the cleat inside the locker or to the large center line cleat I added just aft of the locker. Anchor line goes over the bow roller -- never a problem. The snubber also allows you to reduce the angle of effort to the anchor.

I was cosidering adding a large cleat aft of the locker but the deck is curved and also where the backing plate would go. How did you fit the backing plate to the concave interior?

Cruisin30MKIII · May 20, 2014

I have a 95 MKIII. I have 30' of chain and 175 ish ' of nylon rode. I cleat
Off the nylon on one of the two cleats forward. Never had prob. Even in a
65 mph cell that lasted 45 mins.

Jimm · May 21, 2014

MH said:
I was cosidering adding a large cleat aft of the locker but the deck is curved and also where the backing plate would go. How did you fit the backing plate to the concave interior?

The cleat is aligned fore/aft on the smooth part of the deck just aft of the locker. The bolts and backing plate fit well forward in the V berth, and do not interfere with its use. I'll put pix up on my blog site (www.chesapeaketidings.com) as soon as I get back to the boat. The only down side is occasionally catching a jiibsheet on the cleat when tacking - but manageable.

Cruisin30MKIII · May 21, 2014

I checked out your blog spot. Very nice! Anyway, your cleats are in same place
As mine but you have long bow sprit. I think a snubber of equal diameter 3 Strand
Nylon attached to rode then cleated off will do it for you.

Anonymous 121765 · May 22, 2014

Chang,

I noticed you have a wooden bowsprit. However your anchoring setup will go, I would suggest not to put an anchor roller & anchor off the current wood bowsprit.

I had a wooden bowsprit that cracked & support pullout while sailing. I almost dropped my mast. I discovered that not only the wood but also the side straps with thru bolts ripped out of the bow both sides with a big bang. Afterwards, I found there was no beefed up area in my hull to take the load. My hull thickness was approx. 1/4" thk. fiberglass.

I had a glass guy come in and buttress up the inside of the hull (anchor locker). I purchased a solid bowsprit from Catalina & installed it properly. I attached an anchor roller, beefed up the lower connection for my bob stay & used Nitronic 50 solid bar material instead of strand cable with swaged fittings. It has a 43,000# tensile breaking strength. My boat will fold up before the bobstay fails.

Look at the underside of your bowsprit, that's were the weakening rot is. I just thought letting you know of my problems will help you avoid future problems.

CR

trasel · Aug 11, 2014

mantus

Jimm said:
The cleat is aligned fore/aft on the smooth part of the deck just aft of the locker. The bolts and backing plate fit well forward in the V berth, and do not interfere with its use. I'll put pix up on my blog site (www.chesapeaketidings.com) as soon as I get back to the boat. The only down side is occasionally catching a jiibsheet on the cleat when tacking - but manageable.

Jimm
I have followed your journeys and am sailing companions with Roger Long as well.
I am taking my Endeavour 32 from Baltimore down the ICW in October. Tomorrow, I am custom making a teak/ bow roller for my 25# CQR.
Do you think this is a good ICW anchor?
Didn't you just buy a 25# Mantus?
Please Advise
Scott

Jimm · Aug 12, 2014

trasel said:
Jimm
I have followed your journeys and am sailing companions with Roger Long as well.
I am taking my Endeavour 32 from Baltimore down the ICW in October. Tomorrow, I am custom making a teak/ bow roller for my 25# CQR.
Do you think this is a good ICW anchor?
Didn't you just buy a 25# Mantus?
Please Advise
Scott

Scott - I had a 25# CQR with 90ft of chain plus 120ft nylon rode going down the ICW. Others have done OK with it, but I dragged several times, and a couple times could not get it to stick after several tries in grassy bottom. Replaced it with the 25# Mantus at the Miami boat show -- no problems coming back north from KW. I have used an 18# Danforth in the Bay for several years without problem, but had similar issues with it in the sand and grasses. It is now my second anchor kept stored on the stern rail with all nylon rode.
Glad to connect and visit. I'm on the Bay often - usually south of the Bridge, but always glad to wander north

Jim

trasel · Aug 12, 2014

Thanks for timely response Jimm...guess I will go buy a 25# Mantus and modify my bow roller design.
Were you glad you took a kayak with you?

Jimm · Aug 13, 2014

trasel said:
Thanks for timely response Jimm...guess I will go buy a 25# Mantus and modify my bow roller design.
Were you glad you took a kayak with you?

Glad I had the kayak, but didn't use nearly as much as I thought I would.