540
GETTING UNDERWAY
Studio ti 03312 540-04usa
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4
4.12 ANCHORING
To know the anchor windlass operation (if installed) read the chapter
Anchor Windlass in the section ON DECK.
Your choice of anchor depends on the size and type of your yacht and the
weather and anchoring conditions you generally expect to encounter.
When selecting anchors for your yacht, bigger is better and there’s safety
in numbers. No anchor can be all things to all bottoms so have aboard at
least two anchors of different designs to handle varying conditions.
− Check that the engines battery breaker is on;
− turn the switchboard “windlass” breaker on, on the main electric
panel;
− when the windlass hand-held remote control is not used, disconnect
it and stow it away, in order to prevent contacts oxidation;
− before operating the winch, check that the wildcat clutch is properly
engaged and remove the chain stopper;
− let the yacht move backward slowly; if necessary, use the engines;
− lower the anchor until just below the waterline, and hold;
− lower the anchor until it reaches the sea bottom;
− once the anchor is engaged, leave the chain stopper on.
4.12.1 Setting the anchor
For a secure set, follow these basic guidelines
− Choose the spot to ride the anchor carefully, considering the shelter
it offers, the proximity of other boats, and whether it’s a good-holding
bottom. Remember that boats of different sizes may swing to a
different amount of anchor rode (scope) than your yacht, so give other
boats as wide a berth as possible.
− Determine the scope (length) and type of anchor rode needed for the
water depth. (See DETERMINING SCOPE in this section). If the
anchor rode is line (rope), you should have the predetermined amount
of line ready on deck. If the rode is chain, you will have to watch the
markings on the chain, as the chain is let out, to know how much chain
has been deployed.
− Approach the spot where you plan to drop the anchor. Move slowly
and put the yacht in slow/idle reverse when you’re over the desired
location. As the yacht begins to move slowly at the aftdeck, lower the
anchor to the bottom, gradually paying out the rode to almost the full
amount of scope that you have predetermined.
− Secure the chain on the windlass, or, if the rode is line, around a cleat.
This will make the anchor “bite”. Take the engines OUT OF GEAR
(put engine controls in NEUTRAL). Let out the anchor rode to the
proper scope and secure the end of the line around the mooring cleats
at the foredeck. If a chain rode is used, lock the chain with the chain
stopper. Don’t let the windlass carry the load of anchor chain or line.
j
WARNING
Operate the anchor windlass with the engines running, in order to
provide the high voltage required and reduce the stress by slowly
moving the yacht toward the anchor without passing the chain.
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