Bitter end

[IH82BL8]

I removed the anchor and rode to clean the anchor locker and found that the bitter end was not secured to the boat. Is this typical?

Thanks.

 

[Phil Herring]

It's not uncommon, but it should be.

 

[BigEasy]

Atypical; should be secured to prevent loss of the anchor if the rode gets away from you. However, don't rely on the attachment point inside the anchor locker to take the load while anchored; better to use the bow deck cleat that should be designed to take the heavier loads.

 

[woodster]

so how would one suggest to secure it in the bow of a frp boat with timbers in place....

regards

woody

wow that was quick

 

[Rick D]

How about an eye bolt or U bolt?

 

[woodster]

How about an eye bolt or U bolt?

would you install it below the stem plate dead center in the bow with nuts and and cap them off with acorn nuts......

regards

woody

 

[Rick D]

That sounds logical, but I wouldn't hazard a guess on a boat with which I am unfamiliar. IMHO, the idea is to simply hold on to the bitter end as a back up so that it won't slip through your hands, or more likely, a crew member's. The rode should be tied off to a proper cleat when anchored.

 

[thinwater]

Look around; I'd be surprised if the factory didn't include a u-bolt somewhere.

 

[rpwillia]

Brings on another question

This should probably be in the 310 forum, but for years I have used the stbd bow cleat to tie off the anchor and always griped to myself that there was no easy way to get the remaining line back through into the locker without some machinations to bring it forward to the raised opening. In looking at it this past weekend it looks like it would be just as easy to wrap it around the capstan and then tie it off on the cleat just behind it as it all lines up perfect then. Does that sound right?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

It's not uncommon, but it should be.

Got THAT right Phil. So many aren't. Bad news or could be

 

[Scotty C-M]

Ray, Are you refering to wraping the line around the capsan of the windlass? If this is on an electric windlass, then you might want to check your owners manuel. I recently installed a Lewmar windlass and it was very specific about not leaving a load on the windlass while anchoring or storing the anchor.

 

[rpwillia]

RTFM?

Ray, Are you refering to wraping the line around the capsan of the windlass? If this is on an electric windlass, then you might want to check your owners manuel. I recently installed a Lewmar windlass and it was very specific about not leaving a load on the windlass while anchoring or storing the anchor.

Scotty, Good point. I guess I will have to pull the manual out and do an RTFM.

I guess I should narc on my post and note ix:

 

[Chris Burti]

This...looks like it would be just as easy to wrap it around the capstan and then tie it off on the cleat just behind it as it all lines up perfect then. Does that sound right?

You have the same configuration that we have in our C-320. I tied the bitter end through the eye in the cleat in the locker with a bowline. I run the line over or under capstan, not around it, and secure it to the same cleat in the locker. That is its purpose and there is just enough room to cleat it over the bowline.

 

[Ross]

When I took delivery of my boat the bitter end of the anchor rode was stopped to a piece of 2x4 lumber about 8 inches long with a single turn and one half hitch. I glassed in a large plate with a tab for a shackle.

 

[Nereussailor]

It happened to me once.........once!

 

[Apex]

...same thing should be said for safety wiring the shackles. A pin can un-thread leaving an anchor to come off it's rhode: once and only once too :O)

 

[Gunni]

Just don't shackle an all-chain rode to your boat, tie it off. There are times when you need to cut your anchor loose.

 

[Nereussailor]

...same thing should be said for safety wiring the shackles. A pin can un-thread leaving an anchor to come off it's rhode: once and only once too :O)

Maybe in Michigan's fresh water that could happen, but here in the land of salt, if the shackle is on tight to start. A couple of dips in the ocean and it's welded on for life. I'm working on putting a new anchor on my boat and cant budge the shackle. It's only been on there for 4 years. All the PB blaster in the world isn't helping this one......and yes it gets a fresh water rinse after use.

 

[Ross]

On shackle pins that must not come out, I center punch the threads.

 

[capta]

As Gunni said, do not hard attach your anchor chain to the boat. Use a length of line that will allow the line to come on deck, nearly to the bow roller, so you have room to attach a fender or buoy to the end should you need to cut it and get outta there in a hurry.
I have just replaced the nylon line with a dynema one in case I slack the chain to the line accidentally; I don't want it to break.