Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
We anchor out quite often, sometimes in difficult conditions, so our process needs to be as smooth and foolproof as possible. We have a problem because the 1/2" nylon line is attached to the chain with a thimble that measures about 2" and this is too big to ride smoothly on the anchor holder/roller when I raise/lower the anchor, especially as I also have a Harken roller furling drum to contend with at the bow. I currently have to let out the chain til I get to the thimble, then lift the chain off the roller around the furler drum and lower the thimble past the anchor roller and then get the nylon line back on the anchor roller to lower the rest of the nylon rode. Weighing anchor requires the reverse. This can get tricky in windy/wavey conditions and I risk getting my hand/fingers caught.
Does anyone know of a way to attach the 1/2" nylon line to the chain without using a thimble or bulky mechanism that would catch on the anchor holder/roller? I have considered cutting off the thimble and splicing the nylon line directly to the chain or tying a bowline or anchor knot, but I know that any knot will reduce the breaking strength of the line, which is currently spliced around the thimble.
Any suggestions that would allow me to simply raise/lower the anchor over the anchor holder/roller would be much appreciated.
Also, if you have any suggestions for how to raise/lower the stern anchor over the transom without damaging the gelcoat, I would love to hear them as well. We sometimes anchor in areas where I want to limit the swing room, which a stern anchor together with a bow anchor does quite nicely, but I'm worried that pulling the line, chain and anchor over the transom to get it into the stern locker will leave marks. We have a stern stainless pushpit which I'm also dodging as I do this. So far I have been lucky in handling it carefully to avoid chain or anchor touching the transom gelcoat, but I know that one of these days I'll likely drop the chain or even worse, ding the transom with the anchor.
Thanks,
Frank
Does anyone know of a way to attach the 1/2" nylon line to the chain without using a thimble or bulky mechanism that would catch on the anchor holder/roller? I have considered cutting off the thimble and splicing the nylon line directly to the chain or tying a bowline or anchor knot, but I know that any knot will reduce the breaking strength of the line, which is currently spliced around the thimble.
Any suggestions that would allow me to simply raise/lower the anchor over the anchor holder/roller would be much appreciated.
Also, if you have any suggestions for how to raise/lower the stern anchor over the transom without damaging the gelcoat, I would love to hear them as well. We sometimes anchor in areas where I want to limit the swing room, which a stern anchor together with a bow anchor does quite nicely, but I'm worried that pulling the line, chain and anchor over the transom to get it into the stern locker will leave marks. We have a stern stainless pushpit which I'm also dodging as I do this. So far I have been lucky in handling it carefully to avoid chain or anchor touching the transom gelcoat, but I know that one of these days I'll likely drop the chain or even worse, ding the transom with the anchor.
Thanks,
Frank
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