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Safe Anchoring Guide...
Better safe then sorry...
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1.
Determine your Holding Requirements, the Ground Tackle Force Load (GTFL):
It
is very important to select the right type and size anchor for your boat.
A "Lunch Anchor" must be good up to 15 knots wind. A "Working Anchor"
should hold the boat by 30 knots wind and a "Main Anchor" shall be safe up
to 42 knots wind. When the wind is exceeding 42 knots wind multiple
main anchors or larger mooring anchors, screws or solid concrete foundations
must be used.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW! When the wind speed doubles, the Ground
Tackle Force Load (GTFL) quadruples! See page "Selection
Guide" and page "GTFL" where we can determine the
exact GTFL based on your boat's unique characteristics in varying wind
speeds. Consult us for any questions and please give us a call or e-mail
us your boats exact specifications. |
2. Mooring, Wind and Scope:
a. Use Adequate
Scope: the length of mooring line
relative to the distance from the boat's deck to the seabed. That
means by a scope of 5:1, when the depth of water is 9 and the height to deck
over water surface is 1 (total 10), the length of the line is 50 (feet or
meter). The general rule is that more scope and use of chain generates
greater holding power as a more horizontal pull on the anchor will be
developed!
More scope should be paid out if extra high wave actions is topical caused
from strong current... etc. to eliminate that the bow lifts the anchor out
of the sea bed. Make sure you have enough length of mooring line in
your boat, that you can pay out a scope of at least 10:1!
b. For normal use: start
with 3:1 scope and as weather conditions worsen pay out more scope, use
moderate shelter from sea, fair holding ground, 3-strand nylon line and
chain is recommended. See "Selection Guide".
c. In hard wind and over night mooring: In
hard wind use 5:1 and trim to a maximum of 7:1 scope. For storm
conditions over 42 knots, use next size larger anchor and when over 60 knots
use 2 main anchors (Bahamian mooring).
d. In a distress situation: pay
out 10:1 or more scope. Before letting the anchor go we recommend
applying a bolt in the angle adjustment hole in the shank to sharpen the
angle of GRIP.
e. For permanent mooring: use
chain or a nylon line with working load of 11% of break and 2 anchors two
sizes larger than recommended main anchor (Bahamian mooring).
f. Power boats needs in general
due to larger freeboards approximately 10% bigger anchors then sailboats.
But as many modern types sailboats, motor cruisers also have a high
freeboard, we recommend to check the "GTFL"
service. |
3.
Power set your anchor:
As every
anchor, also the "STEALTH" Anchor should be checked with extreme care that the
anchor has a secure set and sufficient hold for what is needed. When
checking the anchor do not force it to hard. This should definitively
be done in crowded anchorage areas and when anchoring over nights. We
do recommend that that wind and waves sets the anchor
first, before any power setting is done. |
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4.
Re-Setting:
The characteristics of
the "STEALTH" Anchor are such that it will reset at all times. See GRIP
position and 360º veering (Click here for TEST). In
sever weather conditions and by night mooring a second anchor should be laid out
for a secure hold. We recommend setting the anchors as "Bahamian" mooring
well apart.
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5.
Anchor Retrieval:
When moving forward to
the anchor by pulling in the line the scope will be reduced and when the scope
is 1.5 - 2 it will most likely lose its grip automatically. Because of its
strength (advanced break point and supported shank) the "STEALTH" Anchor can be
backed out in any direction when using a scope less the 3:1. The pictures,
"Illustrated Techniques # 15-16", show the
forces acting when hoisted. If trapped in the seabed in any hard solid or
soft object please see, "Illustrated Techniques #
21-24", to retrieve the anchor successfully form this difficult situation.
If caught in coral we recommend to pull the boat close, right above, to the
anchor and then pull the line up and down a number of times to shake it lose.
The anchor will creep out of its hold and NO greater destruction will occur to
the delicate coral fauna!
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6 Hardware:
a. Support Hardware: The
weakest factor for a safe mooring may be the seabed itself. Therefore
it is extremely important to select an as good mooring ground as possible.
Understanding the art of anchoring and using an anchor and mooring gear that
you can trust is a MUST. The strength of all the gears as the line,
chain, shackles, swivel, and windlass must be matched to have approximately
the same strength. Under all circumstances the anchor is the most
important gear onboard!
See "Selection
Guide".
b. Recommended chain
length: We recommend that the chain
should approximately have the same weight as the anchor when suitable,
recommended, chain size is used.
See "Selection
Guide".
c. Anchor Lines: Chain all the way can act very
hard on the anchor and seabed. We therefore recommend chain in
combination with a nylon line that reduces the shock load. A
sufficient length of chain is important as it also protects the mooring line
from wear and tear against the sea bed, especially rocky bottoms. See
"Selection Guide." |
7.
Numbers of Anchors onboard:
Every
boat should be equipped with a minimum of two anchors, one main anchor, and
one working anchor. Even better and more secure in a severe situation
is to carry three anchors as professionals do. If a sudden storm
approaches, you really have to be ready to set the anchors to save the boat
and people. Please do not forget that all the mooring gears are just
as important. |
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If
you and your crew are in a distress
situation,
VERY IMPORTANT is then,
that all onboard stay calm and cool!
Do not panic!
That does not help you or anyone else onboard!
You must at all time trust your Captain and your ANCHOR as it is YOUR LAST HOPE... |
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