anchor technique

[torcano]

I used my electric windlass to drop my anchor for the first time today. I left the anchor line on the pully. I noticed a small cleat inside the anchor locker. Should the anchor line be cleated in some way. The anchor line on my boat seemed to thick to fit on the cleat in the anchor locker. Should I have secured the line to the bow cleat?
RK

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: anchor technique

I would think that cleat is for the bitter end of the rode to keep from losing the anchor. For calm day use, most folks just leave the rode tugging directlky on the windlass. For overnight or storm anchoring, you should cleat the rode off to take the load off the windlass. If that cleat is too small for the rode, it's probably too small to hold the boat.

 

[torcano]

Re: anchor technique

Thanks. I can't imagine the cleat inside the anchor locker which is located next to the windlass is for the bitter end of the anchor rode because it is too small. My anchor rode looks to be at least 5/8 inch , maybe more. There is actually a small line on this cleat that has a fastener on it to hook onto the chain when the anchor is retracted. I did not let my anchor rode all the way out today, but I should probably be sure the bitter end is cleated off less I am ready to loose my anchor.