Juggling
Yesterday I felt a bit like a juggler with numerous balls in the air. We have had a couple of very productive days though, setting the wheels in motion for numerous projects that we need to have completed in the coming weeks. For example:
- We have our friend Simon Clay coming to the boat on Tuesday to discuss the installation of our inverter and other electrical projects.
- We have met with Sheldon, the Raymarine rep, about the installation of all the new boat electronics that we purchased.
- Michael first visited the factory and then had Lawrence, the cushion guy, visit the boat to discuss the new cockpit cushions and mattresses that we plan to have made.
- We have someone from De Sign Factory coming to see us today to discuss the new boat graphics.
- We removed our genoa and have it ready for delivery to the sail loft to have the UV strip replaced to match the new stack pack that should be here on Monday or Tuesday.
- We met with our friend Stephan to discuss the new salon table and pantry that we want to have designed and then installed.
All those things and more, along with items of a much smaller nature, have been ticked off the list. Yeah, we’ve been busy.
One thing that we have decided to do to facilitate all this work is remain here at Port Louis Marina, taking advantage of their excellent monthly rate. We have so many tradesmen that will be visiting us in the coming couple of weeks that it only makes sense to stay on the dock. Even though I don’t really consider us to be “marina people,” Port Louis is pretty awesome. We have friends all over the place here, ready to help should we need it. The facility is awesome and their showers can’t be beat. And here we thought that once we left Colorado that Hollywood showers would be a thing of the past. 🙂
Below you can see a series of pics detailing the installation of our brand new 85 lb. Mantus anchor. When we first saw how large it was, I will admit that we were all a little concerned that it might not fit. I am happy to report that it fits like a glove. We will sleep soundly with that beast holding us in place, that is a fact!
Part of our welcoming committee. Don’t fear, we put Dave and Dirk to work shortly after these pics were taken. They helped us with the huge task of reinstalling the 40HP Yamaha onto our tender. Without their assistance the job would have been significantly more difficult!
I put a Rocna 73 pound on mine and I laugh when I see the size of it…I was out anchored last weekend in calm conditions and I could put out a 3:1 and feel safe…….5:1 was what we slept on when before it was always 7:1….What a pleasure to know the hook was set right and was the right choice……One of the most important pieces of equipment on a boat….
I would almost say that ground tackle is THE most important piece of gear.
That looks so easy Isla could have put it together! Initially how does it compare to the Rocna?
They are similar. The obvious difference is that the Mantus breaks down while the Rocna is one solid piece.
Not sure I would get rid of that Delta just yet. A bigger spade is not necessarily problem free. Don’t want to start a protracted discussion on anchors but one thing we are starting to find with our spade anchor is that the design aspect (scoop) that makes it hold so well also makes it that much more difficult to extract it from the bottom. That added strain is transferred to the windlass, obviously increasing the wear/decreasing the lifespan, especially in the denser, muddier sand. One of the tradeoffs for sound sleep in adverse conditions. Maybe good for a cruiser that will be “planted” for extended periods with less windlass use, however it might not be as good for a charter boat that is “pulling and moving” every night.
Just a thought.
Or…. get a bigger and more powerful windlass! 🙂
Hey Guys, a question for you. Would a line attached to that metal loop (I think it’s called a trip line) help with breaking that type of anchor free with less effort? Or would that just be way more trouble than it’s worth?
That is what it is for but yes, it’s more trouble than it’s worth in normal application. We have only set a trip line twice and then only in areas known to foul anchors. In some areas (Georgetown, Bahamas for ex.) setting an anchor float is frowned upon (that is saying it nicely) as they are believed to present a hazard to dinghy traffic.
Mike, just wanted to say thanks for the info, I learned something. I’ve never actually tried a trip line and would not have thought that some places would frown upon it, but the argument makes sense. So now I know not to be frowned upon by checking trip line etiquette in the area first if I decide to try it.
Georgetown is the only place I can recall that was like that. They were pretty adamant about it though.
Releasing the anchor should be done with propulsion of the boat and load should not be put on windless….
Motoring forward over it should get it to release, that is true.
I agree with John, when an anchor does not pull itself with a normal approach to “straight up and down” the smart way to break it free is to give it a minute at straight up and down and see if the 0 scope and a gentle nudge will pop it, if not, take the load off of the windlass with a wrap around a Sampson post or suitable cleat etc. and use the boats momentum to pop the anchor. Should be SOP. It’s easy to abuse a windlass.
Just to be clear for the newer guys reading this post, SOP for when the anchor is stuck? Sure. SOP under normal conditions? Hardly. I know of no one who cleats the rode before raising the anchor unless it’s stuck. IMO, if your windlass can’t pull up your anchor when you’re straight over top of it (under normal conditions) then it’s undersized or the ground tackle is oversized.
I think the new anchor looks great! I think it can only be a good thing that an anchor is hard to pull up 🙂 I do not want an anchor that can “easily” be pulled up. Spending most nights at anchor it helps me sleep knowing it is very well set. As Mike says motoring up forward over it will probably release it…
Those who anchor out all the time know the value in this.
Oi! Point missed. Oh Well.
I did not miss it.
That Delta is only one size up from the Bruce on our 15-footer or the Danforth on the 19-footer. Nice kedge but I can see why you’d want something beefier!
It’s too bad so many boats seem to have undersized windlasses. You shouldn’t have to baby the things if they’re big enough and powerful enough for the job.
That delta is definitely undersized.
Looks like my thoughts of windlass performance have been pre-empted. Mike, are you hinting above that you’re getting a new windlass, or do you think the stock L46 windlass can handle it? That would not be fun pulling that monster up manually along with the chain!
I am not hinting at anything. I suspect it will have no trouble lifting the anchor.
I doubted the (relatively) small 25 lb Mantus would fit on my Catalina 28 but it worked out fine. It was satisfying to get a solid “thunk” on the rode first time I used it.
Lifting the anchor was surprisingly easy, as soon as I was over the anchor and pulled the rode it dumped whatever was in the shovel – that log arm yields some good leverage.
You’re likely right about that, Denis.
I heard from ” Mike Link ” of (svMissing Link blog) that if you mount a GLOW STICK on the top of the anchor, you can see that it is set in the dark of the night.
Mike you write a excellent blog. I have followed your blog almost from the start of your trip South.
Interesting. I wonder how often Mike does that.
And thank you!
The windlass is used to pull the anchor up out of the water, never to pull out a set anchor. If the anchor is well set, which hopefully it is, once directly above the anchor it’s a good idea to cleat the rode of to a cleat and either let the wave action or motor break the anchor loose. The windlass was never intended for this task. The windlass is meant to release or retrieve an unloaded anchor.
We’re beating a dead horse with this windlass thing. I have already commented on this subject. I see NO ONE cleat their rode to break the anchor out during normal conditions.
Whether conditions are normal or abnormal the anchor should hopefully be well set. Maybe people you’ve seen don’t cleat the rode of while breaking the anchor loose, just putting a lot of unneeded stress on the windlass.
I still disagree. Anchors are well set when pulling with proper scope, not 1:1! Unless fouled, most anchors will pull out “reasonably” easily when straight over top of them. This does not negate Kirk’s point though, that being that the next gen anchors (Mantus, Rocna, Manson), when well buried in mud, are more difficult than some other anchors to break free.
Right. Let’s put an Amen on it!
Amen!
Is that a 20 kg Delta? Let us know if you decide to sell while still here in Grenada :*)
Hi Jan. We probably would sell it. I will send you an email.