Capt. Rodbone
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2020
- Messages
- 172
- Location
- U.S.
- Vessel Name
- SV Stella Polaris MV Sea Turtle
- Vessel Make
- 1978 VanDine Gaff rigged schooner, 1978 Grand Banks Classic Trawler
Yesterday morning in Wrightsville Beach NC we attempted to weigh anchor. The windlass didn’t sound funny, but seemed very sluggish even with my two armed assistance. We were doing the correct things. Only trying to pull vertically and also going slightly forward on it, which has always broken it free in the past. Attached pictures illustrate while we were having a problem. A massive at least to me, hunk of chain, extremely rusted, and barnacle encrusted was on my anchor. Each length was probably 6 inches. Fortunately, the water was clear enough that I stopped my hoisting before getting it above the water so as to not strain things too much. In order to do anything other than go swimming to no avail, I was about to launch my dinghy and go around when I flagged down a small center console with two young men who kindly assisted. With them at my bow, and all four of their hands on the chunk, with me out on the bow pulpit. and my boat hook through the bar on the Rochna pulling up we finally released it back to Davey Jones.
So last night we go to a well-known Anchorage for loopers between Wrightsville Beach and Morehead city called mile hammock Bay next to camp Lejeune Marine Corps base. I have to think it is so popular only because there really aren’t many alternatives. There’s probably room for 20 boats safely. It was blowing well more than the forecast and sustained at probably 14 and gusting to 20, S to SW We were probably the fifth boat in, but after dragging and resetting, probably five times over the course of the next couple of hours four or five other boats had come in and space was getting limited. I think my wife’s final count was 16 boats. In close to 2500 miles we have dragged only one other time with the exception of when we snagged a cinder block and rope while attempting to anchor. I’ve been pleased, but as one of my friends in the anchorage suggested, maybe that weight on the Rochna deformed it in some way? We finally held in an area I was not completely comfortable with because it put a boat ramp and a bulkhead, where we had no idea of the water depth as a reasonably close Lee shore. But it held. I was likely also, aided by utilizing a suggestion over the radio to not set the anchor traditionally, but let it settle in on its own into the soft muck. Given the wind velocity, I suspect that did help. Fortunately, the wind abated around 11 PM and I was able to get some sleep. Probably aided by the back spasm meds I started taking not long after my bowsprit gymnastics I should note there is quite a bit of information online regarding the mucky and poor holding of this area, which contributes to my thinking that it’s so popular only because of no other options.
So here are my questions but first a few specs. This is a Grand Banks 42 foot classic. The ROCHNA is a 25KG/55 pound model. My wife has posted on this topic at the Grand Banks forum page and we’ve received a fair amount of information from folks helping us figure out if we need a different tackle arrangement. Based on some of the information I’m thinking people may be get confused on what is actually KG and what is LB which is easy to do. We have 60 ft of 3/8 inch chain, shackled to another 60 ft of the same with the pin wired.
I believe we have enough chain and a properly sized anchor. I also know 3/8 is what our windlass calls for. What I have to figure out is did the anchor tip bend? At first I didn’t think so. But once on the dock we are now tied to and looking at it from that level I’m not so sure. If it IS bent, maybe that contributed to last nights problem. It has an ever so slight curve at the tip; probably an inch or so long and it’s completely uniform and smooth on each side. I even speculate that slight curve helps get “the dig” started.
I’ll probably have this cloudy picture cleared up by my trawler forum brethren before I get the chance to dock walk at this marina in Morehead city but if I can spot a few Rocna anchors I will be able to compare their tip to mine. I may also be able to do that in some of the local marine store.
Lastly, if any of you think I’m undersized let me know. I’ll ask to be spared from suggestions I try another brand/style unless you had a Rocna, switched, and the new style was life changing. If so please share.
So last night we go to a well-known Anchorage for loopers between Wrightsville Beach and Morehead city called mile hammock Bay next to camp Lejeune Marine Corps base. I have to think it is so popular only because there really aren’t many alternatives. There’s probably room for 20 boats safely. It was blowing well more than the forecast and sustained at probably 14 and gusting to 20, S to SW We were probably the fifth boat in, but after dragging and resetting, probably five times over the course of the next couple of hours four or five other boats had come in and space was getting limited. I think my wife’s final count was 16 boats. In close to 2500 miles we have dragged only one other time with the exception of when we snagged a cinder block and rope while attempting to anchor. I’ve been pleased, but as one of my friends in the anchorage suggested, maybe that weight on the Rochna deformed it in some way? We finally held in an area I was not completely comfortable with because it put a boat ramp and a bulkhead, where we had no idea of the water depth as a reasonably close Lee shore. But it held. I was likely also, aided by utilizing a suggestion over the radio to not set the anchor traditionally, but let it settle in on its own into the soft muck. Given the wind velocity, I suspect that did help. Fortunately, the wind abated around 11 PM and I was able to get some sleep. Probably aided by the back spasm meds I started taking not long after my bowsprit gymnastics I should note there is quite a bit of information online regarding the mucky and poor holding of this area, which contributes to my thinking that it’s so popular only because of no other options.
So here are my questions but first a few specs. This is a Grand Banks 42 foot classic. The ROCHNA is a 25KG/55 pound model. My wife has posted on this topic at the Grand Banks forum page and we’ve received a fair amount of information from folks helping us figure out if we need a different tackle arrangement. Based on some of the information I’m thinking people may be get confused on what is actually KG and what is LB which is easy to do. We have 60 ft of 3/8 inch chain, shackled to another 60 ft of the same with the pin wired.
I believe we have enough chain and a properly sized anchor. I also know 3/8 is what our windlass calls for. What I have to figure out is did the anchor tip bend? At first I didn’t think so. But once on the dock we are now tied to and looking at it from that level I’m not so sure. If it IS bent, maybe that contributed to last nights problem. It has an ever so slight curve at the tip; probably an inch or so long and it’s completely uniform and smooth on each side. I even speculate that slight curve helps get “the dig” started.
I’ll probably have this cloudy picture cleared up by my trawler forum brethren before I get the chance to dock walk at this marina in Morehead city but if I can spot a few Rocna anchors I will be able to compare their tip to mine. I may also be able to do that in some of the local marine store.
Lastly, if any of you think I’m undersized let me know. I’ll ask to be spared from suggestions I try another brand/style unless you had a Rocna, switched, and the new style was life changing. If so please share.