You are passionate for having a boat of your own and now you’ve decided to buy one. But what will you exactly look for?
The most importantly you should look for features that will affect the anchorability of your boat.
Just as you’d like to make sure during the best Japanese car imports Sydney from Dazmac Logistics about the car’s features or from other reputable local logistics company, you should make sure your boat has the desired features.
Whether you would stay for the night, stop for a swim or fishing or have to stay put due to a breakdown waiting for help, your boat should essentially have the ability to anchor.
Here are some helpful tips.
Table of Contents
1. Chain Stop/Anchor Lock
This tool will keep the anchor in place when placed in the roller. A pin passes through the shackle or chain. Another kind of chain stop is a hook and cable.
There is one more tool which is just a length of line securely cleated off. In any case, you should never depend upon a windlass to hold an anchor, whether at anchor or underway. Use a chain stop always.
2. Bow Rail
The foredeck of the boat should essentially have a bow rail for the sake of safety.
If you choose American boat imports with Dazmac Logistics, you should understand that as per the requirements of the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council), lifelines or life rails on the boat should be 24 inches tall.
This rail should be fixed with backing plates and bolts. Check in the anchor locker and check up and back.
3. Bow Roller/s
When you use a windlass, it’s helpful to have a sturdy bow roller. You should examine the roller to check what kind of rode can be accommodated into it. It may have a chain slot or a rope groove.
Also make sure to check if there is an adjustable pin or bail so that the rode can be prevented from jumping clear of the roller.
4. Cleats
Cleats should be secured with bolts and backing plates. The size of the cleat horn should be big enough to deal with the rode diameter.
As anunwritten rule, cleats should be at least 1 inch long per one-eighth inch of the line diameter.
5. Chocks
Chocks are the fittings that guide the anchor line off to the side. They are particularly helpful if you intend to position two anchors.
Chocks have also a role to play to maintain the line in one place, stopping the sweeping of other hardware by your rode, off the deck while your boat swings on the anchor.
6. Pulpit
A moulded-in bow pulpit is a nice feature on some boats because it enables the anchor and anchor roller to be placed well ahead of the bow.
If the pulpit is strong, it can avoid the damage to the hull caused by the anchor and anchor chain during anchoring and recovery.
7. Anchor Locker
The anchor locker must be watertight to the hull; take a glance inside and ensure its bulkhead is positioned all the way up to the deck’s underside.
It must drain overboard as well for safety so that bilge and your cabin won’t smell like bottom mud. If there is a fitting for fastening the rode’s bitter end, it will be a bonus.
Tips on How to Anchor Properly
After you check all the above things that can help you anchor well, you should also check that you learn the skill properly to anchor.
To confirm that your anchor sets well, tension should be applied to the rode so as to facilitate the penetration of anchor on the bottom.
For this, make the line fast and apply power backward. If the boat moves, try to reset the anchor.
If you make only a half-hearted attempt to set the anchor i.e. if you put the boat backward only for a few seconds, you’ll be committing a mistake.
Make sure you put a reasonable pressure on the rode for a significant length of time.
Remember these tips and you can have a great experience with your boat. Happy boating!