New ( ? ) idea on anchoring

29 cascadefixer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002

I had a thought on increasing holding power of ground tackle.It''s a modification to the age old technique of attaching a weight to the chain ahead of the anchor. If a person were to fill plastic antifreeze bottles with cement, and then attach them individually to the chain ahead of the anchor instead of one large, humongeous weight, the advantages in handling them are evident. Also, the antifreeze bottles being somewhat flat would store easily in the bilge . The plastic would preclude damage from the cement to hull. They could be attached to the rode by tying them with suitable cord attached to the handles.The other end of the cord would be attached to buoys on the surface. Pull the buoy to untie the knot, then pull the cord to raise the weight. Probably each weight, and I''m guessing, would weigh 10 - 15 pounds if the bottle were filled to the top. The bottle would not need to be completely filled with cement however. Any ideas on this from you folks ?

paulk · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2002

Sounds like it should work, but would having more than one angel be more trouble than it was worth? Cement is also not actually that dense, so the weights might end up taking a lot of space; a single solid lead angel the size of an antifreeze bottle might weigh 15kg- and have the same effect on the line''s catenary as three or four cement-filled bottles. Being designed for it''s purpose, a metal angel might also be easier to handle on a pitching foredeck. Interesting idea though -- lead is pretty pricey!

windship · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002

Err-umm...try using the proper anchor and proper size and lenth of chain for conditions.However if you must...lead is about .25 cents per pound.

Dennis

29 cascadefixer · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002

Thanks for the replies. Didn''t know about so-called angels. Just had a thought, thought I''d post it. I''ll continue to work on it.

JeffC_ · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002

An anti-freeze container filled with dry, powdered cement would weigh much less than the ventured 10lbs. Better to mix it with water and sand, pour that in the containers, and let it set to become concrete, which is much heavier than cement.

windship · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002

Placing a weight at the anchor will not do any good as it doesn''t change the catenary of the chain at all.
Are you having some problems anchoring? Or are you just thinking.

Dennis

DuaneIsing · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2002

Dennis,

While you are correct, I don''t think the original post mentioned anything about placing a weight at the anchor. It was stated that the weight would go on the chain ahead of the anchor, although it wasn''t clear exactly how far ahead.

Regards,
Duane

windship · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2002

Right you are, Duane...never mind.

Dennis

29 cascadefixer · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2002

Sorry to all of ya for not being more explicit! I meant that the containers would be filled with WET cement and allowed to harden. They would be attached to the anchor chain or the rode probably a distance equal to the water depth ahead of the anchor. The thought I had was it would hold the rode down, so the pull on the anchor would be more horizontal. This also would allow the anchorer ( anchoree ?) to use less scope on the anchor rode, lessening the drift circle at anchor. Using several weights instead of one large one would allow a way more than young skipper to more easily handle the weights involved. Also, if the skipper played out more scope with the weights, more holding would occur because the weights would act as surge protection in a storm situation. I thought of cement ( ok- concrete )because of the ease of moulding the weights. All cold work. No hot melting of lead involved. The cost of a 40 pound bag of ready mix is about 6 -7 bucks in my area. The containers are relatively flat, allowing them to be stored in the bilge down low. Nope- haven''t had to anchor yet. Boat is still a lawn decoration and community coversation piece, but I have hopes ! This thought was brought to you by a VERY amateur boat rebuilder,fecklessy hammering away and need to believe that I may use such knowledge sometime. Sigh.

windship · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2002

cascadefixer,
Good evening.
Very good. Your thinking but what you''ve described has been around for hundreds of years. It''s called a sentinel.
This is a weight that is slid down an anchor rode to increase caternary thus increasing holding power.However, this practice does not take the place of proper anchoring technics.
If your anchor is not the correct type for a given bottom... it won''t hold or it won''t set.If the anchor is not heavy enough, it won''t hold or it won''t set.Myself,I don''t believe in them.You should be prepared to deploy more or heavier chain and or anchors.

Dennis