I wanted to use a length of chain in a tough bag for a sentinel weight. I was wondering what y'all have found successful for rode attachments that does not chaf the rode. Thanks Good Winds Dave s/v DAMWEGAS
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Sentinels
We use an 8 # mushroom anchor attached on its own separate rode with a snap shackle to the main rode.
We use an 8 # mushroom anchor attached on its own separate rode with a snap shackle to the main rode.
8# mushroom directly to anchor chain??
I have a mushroom that was found scuba diving. The rode has 20' of chain. I was thinking of attaching the mushroom near the boat end of the chain using a bolt like the one that's holding the main anchor to the chain. We usually anchor in 20' or less so it shouldn't be that much of an additional strain to haul back up. Comments??
I have a mushroom that was found scuba diving. The rode has 20' of chain. I was thinking of attaching the mushroom near the boat end of the chain using a bolt like the one that's holding the main anchor to the chain. We usually anchor in 20' or less so it shouldn't be that much of an additional strain to haul back up. Comments??
chain
Just a quick (I hope) note on our anchoring system. We found that by using 35-45' of 3/8 chain with a #35 CQR (also a Bruce as a second) gave us great results. Our anchoring system both with and without a sentinal made no differance. In the last ten years we've anchored all over the Keys and both coasts of Florida. Not once have we dragged our anchor even 10'. In short, we don't use a sentinal, instead us rely on lots of heavy duty chain, a solid anchor and rode. That's our two cents worth, I'm sure you'll hear lots of other ideas. As long as it works for you than it is the correct way.
Just a quick (I hope) note on our anchoring system. We found that by using 35-45' of 3/8 chain with a #35 CQR (also a Bruce as a second) gave us great results. Our anchoring system both with and without a sentinal made no differance. In the last ten years we've anchored all over the Keys and both coasts of Florida. Not once have we dragged our anchor even 10'. In short, we don't use a sentinal, instead us rely on lots of heavy duty chain, a solid anchor and rode. That's our two cents worth, I'm sure you'll hear lots of other ideas. As long as it works for you than it is the correct way.
Practical Sailor says no
A recent edition of Practical Sailor evaluated various anchors. Part of that evaluation included use of a sentinel. While it makes sense to me, their results indicated to the contrary. Apparently sentinels really don't work that well. Never having used one, I can't say one way or the other but that's what the magazine said.
A recent edition of Practical Sailor evaluated various anchors. Part of that evaluation included use of a sentinel. While it makes sense to me, their results indicated to the contrary. Apparently sentinels really don't work that well. Never having used one, I can't say one way or the other but that's what the magazine said.
I think when the winds are really heavy
they have less effect. But when the winds are light and especially with an opposing tide the sentinel can really help with "keel wrap". I think that sentinels also help when you need to anchor is a very tight anchorage and are forced to use a reduced scope. After you are sure the anchor is set, it allows you to drop the sentinel to almost the bottom and reduce scope a bit because that big motorboat decided to anchor right next to you ! Obviously having all chain is doing the same thing, which is creating a greater cantenary effect. Though not all of us have the luxury of carrying all chain rode. I think the PS article basically implies such. Hereis a webiste that talks about the reasons that a sentinel might help. http://www.johnsboatstuff.com/Articles/anchor.htm. If you have a spreadsheet program (excel) you can also do your own calculations. http://www1.iwvisp.com/download/pub/spreadsheet/anchor.xls. Obviously math calculations are not the same as real world experiences, but its interesting to plug in different numbers, plus changing where you locate the sentinel. When you place the sentinel all the way to the bottom near the anchor it makes a huge difference in the calculated amount of horizontal pull to lift the anchor shank upwards. If you really think about this it really makes no difference in whether an anchor will drag. If its going to drag at a certain tension pull its going to drag anyway (usually a function of the surface area of an anchor not the weight). What a sentinal will do it keep the "SHANK" of an anchor down and that hopefully will keep the anchor from popping up out of the bottom and having to reset again. Typically this only matters when you are on a short scope or the anchorage has some big swells Not sure if a sentinel is going to do any miracles, but if you in a rocky, boisterous anchorage, or if you are in a tight anchorages with limited scope they seem to help.
they have less effect. But when the winds are light and especially with an opposing tide the sentinel can really help with "keel wrap". I think that sentinels also help when you need to anchor is a very tight anchorage and are forced to use a reduced scope. After you are sure the anchor is set, it allows you to drop the sentinel to almost the bottom and reduce scope a bit because that big motorboat decided to anchor right next to you ! Obviously having all chain is doing the same thing, which is creating a greater cantenary effect. Though not all of us have the luxury of carrying all chain rode. I think the PS article basically implies such. Hereis a webiste that talks about the reasons that a sentinel might help. http://www.johnsboatstuff.com/Articles/anchor.htm. If you have a spreadsheet program (excel) you can also do your own calculations. http://www1.iwvisp.com/download/pub/spreadsheet/anchor.xls. Obviously math calculations are not the same as real world experiences, but its interesting to plug in different numbers, plus changing where you locate the sentinel. When you place the sentinel all the way to the bottom near the anchor it makes a huge difference in the calculated amount of horizontal pull to lift the anchor shank upwards. If you really think about this it really makes no difference in whether an anchor will drag. If its going to drag at a certain tension pull its going to drag anyway (usually a function of the surface area of an anchor not the weight). What a sentinal will do it keep the "SHANK" of an anchor down and that hopefully will keep the anchor from popping up out of the bottom and having to reset again. Typically this only matters when you are on a short scope or the anchorage has some big swells Not sure if a sentinel is going to do any miracles, but if you in a rocky, boisterous anchorage, or if you are in a tight anchorages with limited scope they seem to help.
Sentinel II
Tom Our anchor rode is 1/2 inch nylon with 30 feet of 1/4 inch chain on the anchor. The sentinel goes on the nylon rode. Based on others' responses, sentinels need not be used on all chain rodes. Stu
Tom Our anchor rode is 1/2 inch nylon with 30 feet of 1/4 inch chain on the anchor. The sentinel goes on the nylon rode. Based on others' responses, sentinels need not be used on all chain rodes. Stu
Everything on a boat should have 2 uses
In like to scuba dive. The nylon webbing of my diving weight belt (closed around the rode with a nylon rope attached to keep off the very bottom has worked for me), especially in tight anchorages with shifting winds/current. No chafe to date.
In like to scuba dive. The nylon webbing of my diving weight belt (closed around the rode with a nylon rope attached to keep off the very bottom has worked for me), especially in tight anchorages with shifting winds/current. No chafe to date.
Sentinels
Hi Dave - I along with others that have posted so far, have used an 8# mushroom anchor as a sentinel. Your idea of using a chain length as a sentinel may cause problems with tangling in the anchor itself, depending on how long the length of chain is. I like Stu's method best (separate rode attached to mushroom that's slid down the rode), as it is easily controlled this way. The lazy way to do this (what I do) is to simply attached a snap shackle to the mushroom and slide it down the rope rode. If the shackle is sized correctly the sentinel will stop at the chain. This makes for a little more of a hassle when pulling the anchor but is simple to deploy and requires no extra line. I like to use a sentinel in a bouncy anchorage, as the extra weight low reduces shock loading on the deck fittings and roller and thus reduces the likelihood of the anchor breaking loose in heavy chop or swell. Best of luck, and good topic! Trevor
Hi Dave - I along with others that have posted so far, have used an 8# mushroom anchor as a sentinel. Your idea of using a chain length as a sentinel may cause problems with tangling in the anchor itself, depending on how long the length of chain is. I like Stu's method best (separate rode attached to mushroom that's slid down the rode), as it is easily controlled this way. The lazy way to do this (what I do) is to simply attached a snap shackle to the mushroom and slide it down the rope rode. If the shackle is sized correctly the sentinel will stop at the chain. This makes for a little more of a hassle when pulling the anchor but is simple to deploy and requires no extra line. I like to use a sentinel in a bouncy anchorage, as the extra weight low reduces shock loading on the deck fittings and roller and thus reduces the likelihood of the anchor breaking loose in heavy chop or swell. Best of luck, and good topic! Trevor
Sentinel
I use a ten pound lead ball (downrigger weight)attached to a cheap pulley block. The latter is a very cheap hardware store type, galvanised mild steel. Yes it does rust but I keep it covered in grease when not in use, and it has lasted over ten years up to now.
I use a ten pound lead ball (downrigger weight)attached to a cheap pulley block. The latter is a very cheap hardware store type, galvanised mild steel. Yes it does rust but I keep it covered in grease when not in use, and it has lasted over ten years up to now.
What is the difference?
Between an 8 pound mushroom anchor used as a sentinal and a bag of chain, that also weighs 8 pounds, rigged the same as a mushroom anchor would be? A heavy clorh or net bag, rigged with a shackle, and rode, will do the same job. If rigged the same way.
Between an 8 pound mushroom anchor used as a sentinal and a bag of chain, that also weighs 8 pounds, rigged the same as a mushroom anchor would be? A heavy clorh or net bag, rigged with a shackle, and rode, will do the same job. If rigged the same way.
John K, yeah thats about the same
If you have a bag that should prevent the possibility of the anchor getting fouled. BTW, I would go with a lot more than 8 lbs. More like 20 lbs, to get any real noticable benefits
If you have a bag that should prevent the possibility of the anchor getting fouled. BTW, I would go with a lot more than 8 lbs. More like 20 lbs, to get any real noticable benefits
You're right, Tom
I use 16 lbs attached to a stainless and nylon pulley with a nylon gate to insert the rode. I don't think 8 lbs would be as effective.
I use 16 lbs attached to a stainless and nylon pulley with a nylon gate to insert the rode. I don't think 8 lbs would be as effective.
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