[Public-List] Elderly Person Sailing Slowly Essay

[R Kirk]

 Gord... Rope is certainly strong enough - never heard of a parted line, so I chose to toss the chain shot on my anchor rode when I got Isobar. No heavy, messy chain in the forecastle or skinned hands. The only good of chain was the weight at the anchor holding down the pull angle some. But that's really miniscule. A little trig shows that even an unusual completely taut rode from a normal 7:1 scope only raises the angle to some 8 degree or so - hardly enough to pull the anchor up much, andthat's balanced by better springiness in a full rope rode preventing a breakout.
Never regretted it, so never needed a windlass with its cost, weight, & bother. The Chesapeake may be different than the Northlands, though.Were you motoring to avoid parting the line or avoid pulling out the anchor?


    On Friday, March 7, 2025 at 08:58:59 AM EST, Gordon Laco via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:   

 Good morning friends, 

Rope is stronger than the chain in an anchor cable… where chain excels is with regards to chafe resistance and of course catenary - and that catenary and how it modifies the angle of pull on the anchor is very important.

We put a manual windlass in SURPRISE after a night when a wind shift send rolling waves into our anchorage.  As I motored to relieve strain on the anchor line (5/8” nylon) I saw the pitching of the boat nearly pull my son’s hands into the anchor roller several times.  I reckon our windlass is a safety device as much as a convenience (and it is that too)  

I bought our windlass for a few hundred dollars from one of the boatyards we supply; used is a safe bet in manual windlasses because they generally don’t go bad.  I spent $70 for a new set of delrin bushings and reckon our windlass is good for another fifty years.  Manual operation is a little slower than electric, but as just written, they don’t break down and are completely independent of the boat’s electrical system.

So… back to work now.  Winter has returned to Georgian Bay, perhaps for the last blast of the season.  I was down in SW Ontario yesterday wearing my new RCN Captain’s stripes visiting HMCS HUNTER in Windsor.  This was the first time I wore my new rank since being elevated.  It seems a Captain can’t just drop in and say hello to friends at a naval establishment…  pomp and circumstance seems to be unavoidable.  I’ll have to get used to that.

Onwards.

Gord
Gordon Laco
www.gordonlaco.com
705-527-9612



> On Mar 6, 2025, at 6:12 PM, R Kirk via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> I always shout into the wilderness that there's no need all for chain on an anchor rode. When was the last time you've heard of an anchor line parting, anywhere? Never.  Lowering the anchor pull angle: trivial. Thus, no chain, no mud clearing, no extra weight in the forecastle. and in your case, no need for a windlass with its extra cost, complexity, & maintenance.
>    On Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 09:40:34 AM EST, Michael Grosh via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:  
> 
> the direction I am going also.
> 
> So, and because this is so related I am going to risk accusation of 
> highjacking the thread, I'll apologize now if that is the case.
> 
> I have recently been notified an anchor windless is going to make my 
> sailing future much more enjoyable, if not possible.
> Here is my setup; Chesapeake Bay; single handing, bow roller on stem 
> head (probably being modified also), 5/8" rode with 3 fathoms 5/16" 
> chain, 25 lb. Danforth. Prefer to cruise to and from anchorages as much 
> as possible.
> 
> The start of my ideal sailing day begins with sailing off anchor. I 
> don't think I have ever achieved an ideal sailing day, but starting with 
> a difficult...start, really reduces the probability.
> 
> I am in the initial stages, but I think I am gravitating to electric 
> (weight currently the deciding factor), although it's really just the 
> last maybe 12 ' of chain or so. I would probably always want the engine 
> running with electric because of potential massive battery drain, 
> relative to the size of my batteries.
> https://www.lewmar.com/windlass-v1-v2-v3-series-kit  vertical shaft, I 
> guess the gypsy head is a combo thing that accepts 5/8". It, or 
> something close to it.
> Question #1-1/4"chain-1/2" line (smaller) better to make this rig fit, 
> considering the sheltered nature of my cruising intent.  I think this 
> size windless is 14 lbs.
> Checkmate rode out a hurricane (a big one) with the Danforth, so I am 
> partial (and no, I was not on board).
> #2- can this fit forward of the cleats? Is that desirable? preliner 
> boat, if that makes a difference.
> Anybody got experience with this stuff?
> 
> Thanks
> Michael Grosh
> #220
> https://us.binnacle.com/lofrans-royal-windlass-manual
> Gorgeous, a tad excessive for the bow of the Alberg, I think
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