5
Anchoring
- Anchors and Windlass
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Cascadia is equipped with two anchors, one forward (44# Delta with 300 feet of chain) and a
Fortress in the starboard cockpit locker along with 70’ of chain and 200’ of rode. The
primary chain is marked with poly line threaded into the links every 25 feet and there are
two lines in a row at 100, 200 and 300 ft. Additionally, there is a chain counter at the helm.
•
The scope normally used in the islands is 4 to 1, definitely not 7 to 1 (unless conditions call
for it, i.e. sustained winds over 25 knots). Most of the anchorages are well protected and
popular, so you will likely have someone anchored nearby. After you have paid out the
suitable amount of chain, 1-2 minutes of IDLE reverse sets the anchor. Here is an easy
formula for how much chain you need out; add the water depth on sounder, plus any tide
increase expected during the night, plus 5’ (to account for the distance from sounder to
roller on bow) and take that total and multiply by 4 (typical example would be 25’ of water +
6’ of tide in 5’ = 36’ x 4 = 144’).
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The electric anchor windlass receives power from the start battery. The circuit breaker for
the windlass is located behind the companionway steps in the port quarter berth. Please
note the windlass will not run without the engine is running.
•
The up-down controller for the windlass is secured inside the forward locker. Please do not
use the windlass controls at the helm as it is very easy to ding the bow with the anchor;
anchoring should be a two-person job! Also, be sure to take the tension off of the windlass
by attaching the snubber (located in chain locker) to the chain and a cleat (not the windlass),
and then running out more chain until the chain on the drum is slack.
