Anchor Sentinels

[Tom Wood]

Have you ever heard about a device called a "kittle"? I anchor in strong currents and was in a class where the instructor mentioned a weight which is attached to the anchor line.

Mary Ann

Tom Wood responds:

Mary Ann,

A weight attached to a "rode rider," or slipped down the anchor rode on a loop of line, has many different names in different parts of the world, although it is most commonly called a "sentinel." As indicated, there are special pieces of hardware to attach the weight to the rode—you will find bronze rode riders from ABI in the SailNet Store. The weight itself can be made of anything to which a shackle or rope can be attached. I have made several by pouring a small coffee can full of molten lead and inserting a large eyebolt or shackle in the top as the "handle." We have also used a bucket of chain once in an emergency.

Cheers,

Tom Wood