Hi, Has anyone tried using a "bridle" to reduce the swinging that 260's and similar small boats do when at anchor in high winds or currents? I know it works in larger, wider boats, but want to see if anyone else out there has tried it before I invest a lot of time and frustration. What I am talking about is joining two lines (perhaps 6' long)to the anchor line such that one line is secured to the port and the other line is secured to the starboard deck cleats. The anchor line itself remains slack from the point where the two lines are attached. If you have a chain rhode, West Marine has a "chain grabber" for exactly this purpose. Thanks
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Swinging
Why would you want to stop the natural flow of the boat while at anchor? Trying to reduce swing so your boat maybe broadside to wind or current does not sound to good to me. Crowded anchorages might be a problem if all boats don't swing together. Just wondering.
Why would you want to stop the natural flow of the boat while at anchor? Trying to reduce swing so your boat maybe broadside to wind or current does not sound to good to me. Crowded anchorages might be a problem if all boats don't swing together. Just wondering.
On A Larger Boat, Yes
I use a bridle when on some windy (SoCal) moorings, putting a line through the mooring line eye and running the line in a bridle to both deck cleats. Did this also with my 32. Seems to help with boats that have their deck cleats relatively far back from the bow. Reduces their swing. However, this is not relevant to anchoring since the rade is run at the bow directly through the anchor roller.
I use a bridle when on some windy (SoCal) moorings, putting a line through the mooring line eye and running the line in a bridle to both deck cleats. Did this also with my 32. Seems to help with boats that have their deck cleats relatively far back from the bow. Reduces their swing. However, this is not relevant to anchoring since the rade is run at the bow directly through the anchor roller.
swinging @ anchor
Ted I have a h26 and experience the same thing. I have tried a small Riding sail, attached to the topping lift, a bridle for the bow, attaching a bungie to the tiller so that it would steer the boat into the wind, and even leaving the bimini up, all with limited success. The one thing that I find that seems to help the most is a sentinal. I use a small mushroom anchor on its own line, which I let ride down the main anchor rode so that it is suspended just off of the bottom.
Ted I have a h26 and experience the same thing. I have tried a small Riding sail, attached to the topping lift, a bridle for the bow, attaching a bungie to the tiller so that it would steer the boat into the wind, and even leaving the bimini up, all with limited success. The one thing that I find that seems to help the most is a sentinal. I use a small mushroom anchor on its own line, which I let ride down the main anchor rode so that it is suspended just off of the bottom.
Swinging
Darrel, Sorry I was not clear. The problem is a pendulum like swing. The stronger the wind or current, the greater the swing. It can make you a hazard to other boats in an anchorage, greatly increase forces on your ground tackle, and can cause your anchor to walk along the bottom. It can be stopped by putting out a second anchor, but then one is not free to swing with changes in the wind or current. Larger fixed keel boats don't often have the problem.
Darrel, Sorry I was not clear. The problem is a pendulum like swing. The stronger the wind or current, the greater the swing. It can make you a hazard to other boats in an anchorage, greatly increase forces on your ground tackle, and can cause your anchor to walk along the bottom. It can be stopped by putting out a second anchor, but then one is not free to swing with changes in the wind or current. Larger fixed keel boats don't often have the problem.
Anchor swinng
Ted The problem with light displacement sailboats is that they want to sail. They will sail forward on the anchor line until the line pulls them head to wind then they will fall off and start the cycle over on the opposite tack. The trick is to keep them from tacking on the anchor line. Tie a rolling hitch ( see internet Knots) on the anchor line between the anchor and the bow cleat. A rolling hitch will adjust up or down on rope or chain but 10 FT. down from the cleat works well. Run this line to the aft cleat on the same side that the anchor line cleated. Slowly adjust this line until the boat sails up but doesn’t come head to wind and fall off. The principal is the same as Heaving To. Do not pull the line in until the boat is broadside to the wind this will put excessive strain on the anchor.
Ted The problem with light displacement sailboats is that they want to sail. They will sail forward on the anchor line until the line pulls them head to wind then they will fall off and start the cycle over on the opposite tack. The trick is to keep them from tacking on the anchor line. Tie a rolling hitch ( see internet Knots) on the anchor line between the anchor and the bow cleat. A rolling hitch will adjust up or down on rope or chain but 10 FT. down from the cleat works well. Run this line to the aft cleat on the same side that the anchor line cleated. Slowly adjust this line until the boat sails up but doesn’t come head to wind and fall off. The principal is the same as Heaving To. Do not pull the line in until the boat is broadside to the wind this will put excessive strain on the anchor.
Sentinal
I've had good success with a mushroom anchor used as a sentinal, like others have suggested. Will try Dave's "rolling hitch" idea next season. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
I've had good success with a mushroom anchor used as a sentinal, like others have suggested. Will try Dave's "rolling hitch" idea next season. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
Slighlty different method
I usually tie a mushroom anchor off a stern cleat with just 2 feet more line than the bottom depth. It's dragging slows down the swing. I'll have to try the sentinal off the front method.
I usually tie a mushroom anchor off a stern cleat with just 2 feet more line than the bottom depth. It's dragging slows down the swing. I'll have to try the sentinal off the front method.
Slightly different method
I did the mushroom of the stern too until I discoverd the sentinal technique. The sentinal works better IMHO. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
I did the mushroom of the stern too until I discoverd the sentinal technique. The sentinal works better IMHO. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
Sentinel benefits
Like George wrote, "The sentinel is used to help the anchor dig in. Not sure how sentinel reduces swing." I've never figured it out either, but it does work. It's a good technique because it's simple and offers multiple benefits: helps anchor hold better (dig in), reduces shock load on anchor line, and reduces swing. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
Like George wrote, "The sentinel is used to help the anchor dig in. Not sure how sentinel reduces swing." I've never figured it out either, but it does work. It's a good technique because it's simple and offers multiple benefits: helps anchor hold better (dig in), reduces shock load on anchor line, and reduces swing. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
another sentinel benefit
I drop a mushroom down the anchor rode for several reasons: - It keeps my rode on the bottom to keep power boaters from snagging it. - lowers the angle of my rode for better holding. - in light air my boat rotates around the mushroom for a very small swing arch. - keeps my wing keel from snagging the anchor rode.
I drop a mushroom down the anchor rode for several reasons: - It keeps my rode on the bottom to keep power boaters from snagging it. - lowers the angle of my rode for better holding. - in light air my boat rotates around the mushroom for a very small swing arch. - keeps my wing keel from snagging the anchor rode.
How do you rig a sentinel
Just exactly how do you rig your sentinel? I assume on a separate line. How do you join the sentinel line to the anchor rode, some kind of clip or shackle, or do you use a knot to tie it on? *!
Just exactly how do you rig your sentinel? I assume on a separate line. How do you join the sentinel line to the anchor rode, some kind of clip or shackle, or do you use a knot to tie it on? *!
rigging sentinel
I tie a line to the mushroom and connect the mushroom to the anchor rode with a carabiner. The carabiner may not be the best way, but it's what I had on hand. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
I tie a line to the mushroom and connect the mushroom to the anchor rode with a carabiner. The carabiner may not be the best way, but it's what I had on hand. Ron Mehringer H26 Hydro-Therapy
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