How to deal with snatch loads in an anchorage
If you anchor o ft en enough a time will occur when your yacht is brought up abruptly against the hold of your chain and anchor. Initially it might be a gentle bump, but as the wind increases it can become quite aggressive and frightening. It’s not only wind that causes this snatch loading. As the wind increases so does the wave action, especially in ocean anchorages with a bit of fetch. You only need a gust coinciding with a peak wave and swell, and you have a classic anchor dragging situation.
Historically, the easiest solution was to deploy more chain, move to a more sheltered location—if you could find one—or rig a riding sail, which reduces veering.
Yet another option is to equip your boat in advance with heavier chain. However, while heavier chain is advantageous (up to a point), if you upgrade your chain you will also need a new gypsy, and as soon as you discover how much that costs, added to the cost of the new chain, your enthusiasm may well be tempered. Moreover, upgrading from, say, 300 ft of 5/16in chain to 300 ft of 3/8in chain will add an additional 220lb in your bow locker, which may be good for catenary, but will most definitely not be good for windward sailing performance, especially if you have a modern lightweight yacht.
Beyond that, with larger chain you might need a more powerful windlass, which in turn will need more power in the form of a larger battery bank and heavier power cables (all which will cost more money). If your chain locker is shallow, more and heavier chain will also takes up more room and “towering” I will occur with increased frequency, as piles of heavier chain are more difficult to topple.
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Sail.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Sail.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Solaris 50
An award-winning Italian performance cruiser with an elevated sense of style
Fareast 23R
Another rocket ship from China that won’t break the bank
Spar Check
Don’t take your rig for granted. Show it some love before you start the season
Aegean Odyssey
Newbie sailors take on an ambitious voyage in unfamiliar waters
Xc 45 Next Generation
An updated classic continues to thrive
The Long Way Home
Solo sailor Jeff Hart Joy winds up his circumnavigation, but not without a few more setbacks. In this fourth and final instalment, we join him off Australia’s Cape Leeuwin
Fuel's Paradise
How to put together a homegrown fuel fi ltering system
When and Why to Use a Charter Broker
What does a middleman add to your bareboat charter vacation?
Setting Sail For The Cup
Dozens of racers and cruisers are bringing their own boats to AC35.
A Season For The Record Books
The resurgent J Class is in the middle of a historic summer of racing