Anchoring best practices

[Z-Worthy]

I have a 1997 400DA with a Good 500 rope-only windlass. I love that thing because it's a beast and NEVER gives me any problems. But while I was weighing anchor a few weeks ago my father started scolding me for using the windlass to pull the boat forward and bring in the scope. He insisted that you should always power the boat forward with the engines and only use the windlass to bring in the slack. How many of you guys power forward and how many use the windlass to pull forward?

I also mark my anchor with a small cheap fender tied to the shackle. But I've heard other boaters complain about people like me because our markers get in the way in a crowded anchorage. Isn't that the point? To keep other boaters away from my line? How many other boaters mark their anchors with a small buoy?

 

[Woody]

When retrieving I always bump in gear toward the anchor then windlass in the slack. But I do let the windlass pull the boat a bit as long as it's already moving from the bumps into gear. On a calm day I don't think it makes much difference but when it's windy/wavy I try to take all the load off the windlass.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Z, you should listen to your father. To ease the stress on your windlass you should always move the boat forward under it's own power and only use the windlass to bring in the rode.

As to using a fender to mark you anchor, that's not a common practice out here in the PNW. Some fishermen do it in the river but I think that's as much to give them a line to use to lift the anchor should it foul on the bottom.

When we anchor out for our Water Follies Hydroplane Races it gets pretty crowded. I usually have about 150' of all-chain rode out and people are almost always anchored over the top of my anchor. That isn't a problem until it's time to leave. I have to wait for them to leave before I pull the anchor, but that just gives us more time on the boat so it's not a big deal.

 

[RollerCoastr]

A little tension on the rode can be helpful to keep the rode on the capstan, esp with all rope. Just make sure the windlass isn't straining.

There's no such thing as a small cheap fender... oh wait, you meant small fender. Maybe it's just me, but if someone thinks a fender above your anchor is in their way, then GOOD - keep it in "their" way!