NW Explorations
AQUILA OPERATING MANUAL
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17
4A: Anchor & Ground Tackle
4A1: Anchor Bridle
There is an anchor bridle stowed in the forward deck box. 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 a an even more effective “snubber”, so the boat is gently held against the pressures if wind and
tide.
Section 4: Specific 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
4D: Bilge Blowers
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
4N: Galley & Appliances
4P: Head Systems
4Q: Running Gear (Props & Shafts)
4R: Safety Equipment
4S: Sea Strainers & Thru Hulls
4T: Warning Lights, Alarms & Wipers