Chaparral 267 SSX, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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Your Chaparral dealer can help you select the proper anchoring
equipment for your boat.
Use a burying anchor, such as a Danforth or plow anchor, which
grips into the bottom and holds your boat secure. Holding power
should be more important than weight. For anchoring in relatively
quiet waters, you can use a mushroom anchor as an alternative.
The length of the anchor line should be six to eight times the depth
of the water to ensure that the anchor bites into the bottom. The bot-
tom end of the anchor line should be galvanized chain which holds
up well as the line moves back and forth on the bottom. The rest of
the line should be nylon anchor line which stretches to soften the
impact of wind and waves on your boat.
Following are general guidelines for anchoring your boat:
• Secure the anchor line to the bow eye or deck cleat. Do not tie
line to hardware not designed to support this stress.
• Use two or more anchors if anchoring overnight or extended
periods of time. Otherwise, make sure your boat has enough
space to swing full circle in case of shifting winds.
• Keep the anchor and line in an area where it will be readily
available in an emergency.
Dropping Anchor
1. Have a crew member carefully lower anchor, keeping a slight
tension on the line as the anchor drops. Maintain tension after
the anchor reaches the bottom. Simply throwing the anchor
overboard usually fouls the line and requires starting over.
2. Maneuver the boat backwards slowly until the proper length of
line is run out.
3. Fasten the anchor line around the bow eye or deck cleat.
Anchor flukes should dig into bottom and hold boat in position.
4. Check shoreline landmarks at the time anchor is dropped and
check again 30 minutes later. If position has changed, anchor is
dragging and must be reset.
5-15
Note: Manila rope, the standard for many years is not as strong as some ropes
made of synthetic materials. For mooring, its ability to stretch is an advantage, but
it tends to shrink whenever it gets wet. Nylon rope is strong and elastic. Because of
its elasticity, it works well for mooring lines and anchor lines. Rope made of high
tensile strength polyester fibers like Dacron™ is just about as strong as nylon rope,
but it does not stretch. Kevlar rope is strong and does not stretch, but it is quite
expensive. Polypropolene rope tends to deteriorate rapidly when it is exposed to
sun light. Because it floats, it is well-suited for use as a tow rope for water skiing.
Use for other nautical purposes is not recommended.
Figure 5.6 Mooring Lines