Anchor Rode Marker?

I use this.... http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--anchor-rode-markers--104372
104372.jpg
 
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but why do markers matter (provided there is a working transducer)?
 
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You obviously boat where there is no tidal/river current. In still waters, 5:1 would be fine, in an area with a hard running current, 10:1 is not too much.
 
When we anchor we drop the anchor to the point it just hits the bottom then push the man over board. Then let out anchor and back up at the same time. When we let out what we feel is enough chain we tie the anchor with a 1/2" nylon rope as shock absorber then push the man over board again then back up to the point the boat no longer goes back any further then push the man over board again. We now have 3 points in a row that sets what the anchor has done. We leave the man over board on for a few hours and see how the boat swings. If the swing does not exceed the last man over board we feel secure. The chain weight is 1# a foot the anchor is 44# so in 50 feet with 200 feet out we have 200 pounds on the bottom at slack water. If the boat seems to be slipping anchor we pull it all up and then repeater the process and let out 250 feet. With rope on our 28 footer we would let out 5 to 7 times the depth but did not anchor in water deeper than 30 feet.
 
SCORPIO said:
To what do you attach the counter? Is there some kind of transducer on the winch end or????
Click to expand...

don't really know.....I have never researched the counters.....but i bet you could find some info from a Google search of 'anchor rode counter'.......

cliff
 
It appears there is a sensor that attaches to the windlass and the gauge takes info from that to compute amount of rode let out. Not inexpensive accessories from what I've seen.
 
Re the questions about rode counters...they work via a magnet. There is a magnet placed in front of the windlass gypsy. It has a matching counterpart on the gypsy. Every revolution of the gypsy is sent via a wire to your helm to the rode counter. That counter needs to be calibrated. What you do is measure how much chain comes out per revolution. Once set it works great. I have 300 ft of chain and not only does it tell me how much rode we've released it is also helpful when bringing the anchor up and slowing down just prior to the anchor seating in the roller. Cost me about $600 plus install but well worth it if you anchor alot and especially if you are alone at the helm.
 
Kitchen garbage bags with the drawstring type handle/cinch tie. The drawstring is usually a bright color strip of very durable ribbon plastic. Cut off 3" piece and tie on chain or weave into the braid on the rode, at your chosen intervals. It goes thru the windlass without a snag and when it pays out with the chain or line it kind of flaps in the wind making easier to see, just like the ones you can buy shown a few posts back.
 
I also just use various colors of vinyl electrical tape every 25 feet. Inexpensive, functional and simple. We anchor out a lot, so it only lasts about one season but easily renewed every season.
 
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