boat owner

Every now and again I go to
sea with sailors who do not
anchor very often. Inevitably,
with yachts which are more
reliable than before, and with the plethora
of marinas giving simple berthing, we are
encouraged to take the more convenient
option of a pontoon berth. It is important
that those who have to anchor are aware
that the windlass is a device for laying
and weighing an anchor: it is not to be
used for digging the anchor in. Many
years ago I was on a charter boat
where the anchor had been dug in
by going astern with some force, I
assumed with the chain still on the

gypsy. The windlass had been torn

completely off its mountings.

It is essential, therefore, to rig a snubbing

line which will take the strain when digging

in your anchor. A good old rolling hitch

is tied onto the chain and taken to a cleat

rather than the windlass. It is important also

that the warp you use for this is nylon, which

is up to 30% more elastic than polyester.

Nylon will absorb the energy generated

when a yacht moves, giving you a more

comfortable rest when at anchor. Provided

you have plenty of room to swing at anchor

and if there is a forecast of a wind increase,

it is worthwhile letting out more warp to

give you a greater length of elasticity.

Seamanship tips from PBO readers and experts

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Nautical know-how

More sticky situations

Sticky Stapylton dispenses a few more hard-won seamanship tips

Engine

checks

Daily engine checks
are an essential part
of ensuring that you will be able to
get home or out of trouble when
the wind dies. The photo (right)
shows an accumulation of black
dust in the engine compartment
where the alternator, cam and
crankshaft wheels may have
become misaligned and caused
excessive wear on the drive belt.
The belt could be depressed
at least ¾in and the engine
compartment was covered in
fine black dust, which showed
that the belt was wearing away.

TIP

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Extemporisation

panned out well

No anchor ball on board? We used a two-

handled saucepan to indicate we were at anchor!

Digging in your anchor

Umbrellas

on boats

There is an old saying that one

of the most useless things on a

boat is an umbrella. I disagree. Once, when

fitting a lifebuoy holder onto the pushpit of a

boat, I set up my umbrella underneath the

fixture point. In the cold weather, and with

a fiddly nut and bolt, I dropped the nut –

but it was saved by the umbrella!

TIP

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TIP

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TIP

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Guarding against belt failure

A close look at the nearer old belt in this photo (left)

shows that it has worn considerably narrower than

the new one. If the belt fails there is a chance of

overheating, engine damage and, almost certainly,

the need for a new impeller.