Ground Tackle - and Lesson Learned
The ripped-out windlass after the Tarawa gale.
The boat's main anchor is a 30Kg Bruce (galvanized 2004); this is attached to the boat via 300ft of 5/16BBB Chain. In 2004, the chain was either new (150ft) or freshly galvanized in(150ft) then welded together to eliminate a 'weak link' connector. The anchor has never dragged and we have been through some miserable anchorages. We subscribe to the policy that one anchor with a lot of chain is much better than two set at 45 degrees (as some books recommend) which have a tendency to pull each other out. If we needed more holding power/reassurance we have a 10ft piece of chain which we would use to daisy chain another anchor to the Bruce rather than set a separate anchor.
During our time in Tarawa (Kiribati), while waiting for our adoption paperwork to come through, we endured and barely survived the worst westerly in 50 years. The atoll is totally open to the west so the waves have little to slow them down. At the peak of the storm, in 60kt winds (sustained 40kt for 48hrs), the bow of the boat was under water all the way to the mast as we bucked the short steep 10ft waves. The Bruce anchor held well, but we still dragged anchor.
Why? We had a stainless steel hook to attach our snubber to the chain which was straightened in short order. With rolling hitches, we had attached and lost two more snubbers due to chafe (through plastic hoses and fireman's webbing hose) and outright snapping due to the forces involved as the boat bucked. Eventually three of the four 4-inch bolts that held the windlass in place sheared. The windlass was ripped out and seconds before we ran out of chain and hit the reef, I managed to get a shackle through the chain and tie a snubber to that. Then I rapidly attached 4 more snubbers in the same manner: one to the mast, one to each toe rail and one to each bow cleat. None of the snubbers went over the bow roller, thus eliminating chafe. I guess the point I am getting at is the chain and anchor are up to the job at hand; the way you attach the chain to the boat could be your downfall. I now always use a shackle through the chain for my 10ft 'over the bow roller' snubber (rode over the roller is much quieter than chain but suffers from chafe), and put a 'not over the bow roller' snubber on as a backup.
During our time in Tarawa (Kiribati), while waiting for our adoption paperwork to come through, we endured and barely survived the worst westerly in 50 years. The atoll is totally open to the west so the waves have little to slow them down. At the peak of the storm, in 60kt winds (sustained 40kt for 48hrs), the bow of the boat was under water all the way to the mast as we bucked the short steep 10ft waves. The Bruce anchor held well, but we still dragged anchor.
Why? We had a stainless steel hook to attach our snubber to the chain which was straightened in short order. With rolling hitches, we had attached and lost two more snubbers due to chafe (through plastic hoses and fireman's webbing hose) and outright snapping due to the forces involved as the boat bucked. Eventually three of the four 4-inch bolts that held the windlass in place sheared. The windlass was ripped out and seconds before we ran out of chain and hit the reef, I managed to get a shackle through the chain and tie a snubber to that. Then I rapidly attached 4 more snubbers in the same manner: one to the mast, one to each toe rail and one to each bow cleat. None of the snubbers went over the bow roller, thus eliminating chafe. I guess the point I am getting at is the chain and anchor are up to the job at hand; the way you attach the chain to the boat could be your downfall. I now always use a shackle through the chain for my 10ft 'over the bow roller' snubber (rode over the roller is much quieter than chain but suffers from chafe), and put a 'not over the bow roller' snubber on as a backup.
Miscellaneous
Backup Anchor:
Our backup main anchor is a 30Kg Plow type anchor similar to a CQR (galvanized 2004) and is currently stored in the Lazarette. In an emergency it could be deployed from the cockpit using the permanently rigged sea parachute rode (see below).
Spare Rode/Chain
We have 250ft of 1.5 inch nylon rode which I keep as a tow rope. This is currently located in the port side of the chain locker. There are various pieces of chain in the rear anchor locker for attaching anchors in series in foul conditions. In this locker there are also 4 miscellaneous dock lines which double up as snubbers.
Small boat Anchor
When swimming one day I found an anchor too big for the dinghy but a little on the small side for Rosie, this is in the base of the Lazarette with 100ft rode, as an imperfect backup for either boat.
Dinghy Anchor
Located in the dinghy bag in the lazarette is a small Danforth dinghy anchor, 3ft of rusty chain and 100ft 10mm rode. I would probably throw the chain away and replace with some of the off cuts in the rear chain locker.
Our backup main anchor is a 30Kg Plow type anchor similar to a CQR (galvanized 2004) and is currently stored in the Lazarette. In an emergency it could be deployed from the cockpit using the permanently rigged sea parachute rode (see below).
Spare Rode/Chain
We have 250ft of 1.5 inch nylon rode which I keep as a tow rope. This is currently located in the port side of the chain locker. There are various pieces of chain in the rear anchor locker for attaching anchors in series in foul conditions. In this locker there are also 4 miscellaneous dock lines which double up as snubbers.
Small boat Anchor
When swimming one day I found an anchor too big for the dinghy but a little on the small side for Rosie, this is in the base of the Lazarette with 100ft rode, as an imperfect backup for either boat.
Dinghy Anchor
Located in the dinghy bag in the lazarette is a small Danforth dinghy anchor, 3ft of rusty chain and 100ft 10mm rode. I would probably throw the chain away and replace with some of the off cuts in the rear chain locker.
Here's another comment about Paul and Kelly's adventure:
"The book candidly relates many of the problems facing first time ocean sailors with more enthusiasm than experience. I enjoyed reading their descriptions of some neat places that I have also visited. Numerous opportunities for tragedy were safely avoided and the book had a satisfyingly happy ending." - Jerry on Amazon.com
Buy at Amazon (USA)
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Buy at Amazon (USA)
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