Posted by Laurence Monkhouse on February 17, 2003 at 13:16:25 from 62.252.32.6 user Laurence_.
In Reply to: Anchoring posted by Dan Lind on February 17, 2003 at -1:11:20:
In the Goblin at least they didn't HAVE an operating engine. But I have always been puzzled at the fact that Jim had only let out - apparently - about 30 feet of chain. Even in a calm and temporarily I would have let out far more than that.
I think it is good practice to lay the chain out on deck, even in a small boat. The last thing you want when the anchor is going down is for a kink to jam in the chain pipe.
The Wild Cat was setting out on an ocean voyage and it certainly was right to unshackle the chain and seal the hawse pipe. But it would be a nuisance to do it on a day to day basis.
I also agree on the need to make sure that the anchor is holding. But I strongly deprecate the suggestion that an engine is necessary for this as for any other manoevre. To read the current guides on seamanship for the various yachting qualifications which instruct you to get the engine running for the slightest emergency I really wonder why we trouble to have that big stick hung with cloth in the middle of the boat! People managed for centuries without an engine, I have managed for 50 years barely using the beast from one season to the next. "Sail is the thing"