Section 4: Specific Discussion of Boat Systems &
Operations
This section of the operating manual will discuss each of the boat’s systems. The systems and
major components discussed are in alphabetical order as follows
:
4A: Anchor & Ground Tackle
4B: Barbeque
4C: Bilge Blowers
4D: Bilge Pumps
4E: Dinghy, Davit & Outboard
4F: Electrical Systems, AC
4G:Electrical System, DC
4H: Electronics
4J: Engines & Transmissions
4K: Fresh & Waste Water Systems
4L: Fuel
System
4M: Furnace/Air Conditioning
4N: Galley & Appliances
4P: Head Systems
4Q: Running Gear (Props, Shafts, Stabilizers,
Bow & Stern Thrusters)
4R: Safety Equipment
4S: Sea Strainers & Thru Hulls
4T: Warning Lights, Alarms & Wipers
4A: Anchor & Ground Tackle
4A1: Anchor Bridle
There is an anchor bridle stowed on the boat in the Portuguese bridge. Use it when
anchoring overnight, as it accomplishes three goals:
•
It takes the strain of the anchor off the windlass, pulpit, and pulpit pulley and directs
it to the bow cleats which are more suited to hold it;
•
It reduces substantially the “chain noise” transmitted to the occupants of the forward
cabin;
•
It allows the anchor rode to have a lower angle relative to the sea bottom, thus
increasing the anchor’s holding power.
To use the bridle:
1. Lower the anchor normally (see page 4.2) then, after it is set,
2. Hook the bridle on the chain just in front of the anchor pulpit bow roller;
3. Then secure the bridle rope ends through the side-coaming hawse pipes, to the bow
cleat on each side so the bridle lines are equal in length and as long as possible;
4. Last, operate the windlass to pay out anchor chain so the chain slacks and is
supported by the bridle, the chain forming a loop right in front of the boat’s bow.
If you wish, you can pay out additional chain to form a long hanging loop between the
boat and bridle, which weights the chain down in front of the boat well below its normal path;
thus the chain itself becomes a “kellet” or “sentinel”, lowering the chain angle more than the
bridle alone. The weight “drooping” the chain down like this then forms an even more effective
“snubber”, so the boat is gently held against the pressures if wind and tide.
Section 4A: Anchor & Ground Tackle 4.1
