The Happy Hooker: Anchoring on Watauga Lake. Where, With What, How. Jeff Arnfield s/v Windward April Rev

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1 The Happy Hooker: Anchoring on Watauga Lake Where, With What, How Jeff Arnfield s/v Windward April 2007 Rev

2 Where to go Easy Medium Challenge

3 Where to go (west) Easy Medium Challenge

4 Special Challenges on Watauga Deep water Lake is > 240 in center Many coves are more than 60 deep Deep close to shore Much swing can mean running aground Dirty bottom Lots of stumps, fallen trees on the bottom All night fishermen

The Basics The anchor line is called the rode Scope is the ratio of rode length to depth from bow chock to bottom More scope usually increases holding power 7:1 is the oft quoted

5 The Basics The anchor line is called the rode Scope is the ratio of rode length to depth from bow chock to bottom More scope usually increases holding power 7:1 is the oft quoted standard 5:1 is more commonly used Catenary refers to sag in the rode A kellet is a weight placed part way down the rode to increase catenary Anchoring stuff is collectively ground tackle

6 Rode Use nylon, which stretches to absorb shock Three strand stretches more than braid Use line that s just right enough 1/8 for every 9 feet of length Smaller than 3/8 is hard to handle Too large a line will have too little stretch Adding of chain to the end of the rode can greatly increase holding Length based on depth in which you anchor

7 Depth, Scope and Catenary Catenary

8 Anchors Cheap can be good Watauga eats em Danforth Plow Fisherman Others Bruce Navy

Basic Equipment Best to carry at least two anchor setups Different types for different bottoms You may want to use two You may have to cut one loose Most places we anchor are 25 50 deep For 7:1

9 Basic Equipment Best to carry at least two anchor setups Different types for different bottoms You may want to use two You may have to cut one loose Most places we anchor are deep For 7:1 scope, of rode For 5:1 scope, For 3:1 scope, Consider spare line May anchor deeper May need to pay out extra to set stern May want to tie off to shore Remember that anchor light!

10 Windward s Ground Tackle Primary 22 lb Lewmar Claw (Bruce knock-off) on bow roller 400 3/8 three strand nylon, treated (in retrofitted rode locker) 30 ¼ high test galvanized chain Stern / secondary 14 lb Super Hooker (Danforth knock-off) on pushpit bracket 300 3/8 double braid nylon (in bag on pushpit) 20 ¼ high test galvanized chain Backup 16.5 lb Plastimo Manta (Bruce knock-off) 300 ½ three strand nylon (in mesh bag under settee) 30 ¼ high test galvanized chain Spare rode 180 7/16 double braid polypro (in bag) (usually for shore tie-off) 300 3/8 double braid polypro (in bag) (usually for shore tie-off) Not normally kept aboard 20 lb Danforth Hi Tensile (primary on coastal trips) 200 ½ three strand nylon (primary on coastal trips) 7 lb Viking (aluminum Fortress knock-off)

11 What to do Don t panic Get a depth sounder or fish finder Consider the prevailing and predicted wind in choosing a spot Circle the area, checking depth Look out for fish attractors Look around for deadfalls and other debris

12 Setting the hook Stopped/moving slowly, lower anchor to bottom Back down, pay out rode to about 2:1 or 3:1 Hit neutral, then lightly snub down the rode Feel the rode with your hand Should grab firmly and demand rode. Feel vibration? If so, it s probably dragging Veer out rode to about 5:1, then apply power to be sure it doesn t drag under load If it isn t set, try more rode, then try again You don t want to be redoing this at 3 AM You don t want to go bump Vibration in rode? You may be dragging.

13 Anchoring patterns Single anchor Lets boat swing. Rode may wrap on debris Bow and stern anchors Keeps boat in place Need extra rode on one anchor to permit you to get enough scope on the other In cross wind, greatly increases load on anchor

14 Anchoring patterns (cont d) Two off the bow, apart Limits swing Increases holding Bahamian mooring Two anchors 180 apart, both off bow Boat can swing into wind Bow anchored, stern tied off to shore Stern cannot drag Need a dinghy, swim suit or long reach Med Moor is variation on this

Anchoring Alternatives Tie off to shore Need a dinghy, swim suit or long reach You probably won t drag Use your anchor line if no spare lines available Can loop

15 Anchoring Alternatives Tie off to shore Need a dinghy, swim suit or long reach You probably won t drag Use your anchor line if no spare lines available Can loop around tree for easy cast off Be sure you won t get blown ashore Raft up! Let someone else get the hooks set Bring some lines and fenders Be sure your spreaders don t hit

USPS University Seminar Series. Seminar Series

USPS University Seminar Series. Seminar Series Seminar Series Anchoring United States Power Squadrons Seminar Series 2 Objective Increase recreational boater s knowledge of and use of anchoring equipment, concepts, and capabilities. 3 Seminar Elements