Anchoring a Cutter with Bowsprit

[gene3521]

Hello, I am a new forum member,

Having had a cutter with Bobstay and Whisker stays I was never able to resolve how to anchor from bow without anchor line chafing on stays. Anchoring from end of bowsprit was not an option as it would not withstand the jerking action that is normal. Did anchor from stern often.

How did some of you resolve this problem?

Thanks- Gene

[sailboy3]

Pictures?

[johngsandusky]

Put the boom out to the same side as the anchor line. The boat will tend a little the other way in the breeze, leaving the lines clear. I also put chafing gear on the bobstay.

[Ian McColgin]

I have anchored three different boats most satisfactorily from the end of the bow sprit. On all my boats, the anchor rollers were about half way back from the end so the anchors could drop inside the whiskers.

I kept a tag line one end bent to the end of the bow sprit and the other able to be flopped over something - different on each boat - that would guide it and then back to the bow. Once the anchor was down, I'd reach out to pass a bight under the rode, flop the running part over the guide, and heave it tight, bringing the rode up under the end of the bowsprit. I had a bit of clear tubing in the line to act as a chafe guard.

The end of the bow sprit is supported by the jib stay and whiskers so it's not going anywhere and the loading even on the mooring (2:1 scope) much less at anchor in a storm (7:1 or more if a real howler in exposed place) is not anything like the line pull.

So, no worries.

[martin schulz]

1. My anchor drops inside the whiskers
2. I always loose the bobstay and hoist it up to prevent chafing of the anchorchain on the bobstay.



I hope one can see that there is a rope leading to the block that tightens/loosens the bobstay as well as the "string" I use to haul up the bobstay to keep it away from the anchorchain

[SchoonerRat]

This is a bit extreme, but a hawse pipe through the hull a few feet aft of the stem would solve the problem.

[paladin]

always anchored with a bridle with the lines run through a piece of old water hose from the hawse pipe to just ahead of the sprit....

[nautiguy]

In Brion Toss's Book "The Complete Rigger's Apprentice" he discusses a method similar to Ian's. Attach a block to the end of the bowsprit and run a line through it. In use, first set the anchor. Then take one of the line through the block and through a rolling hitch on the chain outboard of the bow roller. Then pull the anchor chain out to or near the block and belay the line to a post or cleat.
I find this system simple and easy to use on my boat which has two bobstays.

[Vinny&Shawn]

We also drop our anchor between bobstay and whiskers our anchor rollers are 16" off the bow. I've taken to covering the bobstay with reinforced clear hose. This eliminates chafe,for the most part. Rode out 60 mph winds and 3 ft chop like this.
Though I have thought about using Ian's method,and will give it a try.
The other method you are using is recommended by Tom Cunliffe for traditional cutters,and I don't think this an extreme method just one of choice. I have also thought of using this method,but have to have it just so and handy to execute.
For most cruising and anchoring situations the chafe gear works great and is never my worry when it is time to turn in.