Tandem Anchors

[Gary Wyngarden]

Beth Leonard has written an interesting article in the March issue of Cruising World with some suggestions for high latitude cruising. The article has particular relevance for us as we're planning a five-month cruise to Alaska next year.In the article she endorses the use of tandem anchors as a way to reduce the probability of dragging in anchorages with mixed holding and during high winds. She recommends shackling the secondary anchor to the primary anchor with six feet of chain, dropping the secondary anchor overboard first, and then setting the primary anchor in the usual manner. I've read other articles endorsing this as a storm anchor setup as well, but I'm envisioning tangled anchors and chains interfering with each others ability to set, and mass confusion in retrieving the anchors and rodes.Anybody with any experience with tandem anchors care to comment? Any tips?Thanks for your help.Gary WyngardenS/V Wanderlust h37.5

 

[Ed Hanley14076]

There are two ways to arrange tandem anchors - as a bridle with approximately equal anchors and chain rodes joined to a common line to the boat; and more or less in line, with the smaller one on a shorter chain rode joined to a common line to the boat. I favor the latter: you can add either hook after one is down, and it comprises different sizes or possibly types, giving you some options when you don't need both. As the wind shifts on the bridle, all the load will come on one hook until it is dragged up to a narrower V with the other until they are together, possibly fouled. The in-line arrangement lets the nearer, smaller anchor drag first, staying in line and always carrying some of the load.