Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

[dirtyoldman]

Today while boating I forgot my anchor. I have a 21' Sea Ray with a 10# fluke anchor I keep connected to the bow cleat. My wife was fussing with the kids and I started the blower. I was thinking about the anchor, but we were close to shore and I didn't want to pull it yet because it could take a while with the kids. She usually sits up front anyway and pulls the anchor herself.

Anyway, she sat in back next to the engine doghouse. I forgot about the anchor and took off fast. I noticed a odd acceleration and made a note to check the fuel filter as I haven't done it yet this year. As soon as I thought that I heard a bang, than another quickly. My wife screamed that we forgot the anchor. I stopped the boat and looked back. The anchor had come out of the water, over the top of the transom, and was sitting right next to her in the boat. It could have killed her, or at least hurt her very badly.

I realize it was wrong to forget the anchor...but mistakes happen. I'd rather set it up so it can't do that even if I do forget it. How did the anchor do that? I don't have a chain on it. Does the chain keep it from taking of like a parasail? Is this just a dangerous setup and I need another kind of anchor?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Guest]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Better count your blessing dirtyoldman that was way to close for comfort.:facepalm:

 

[Triton II]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Wow, what a story! Fluke anchors can turn into flying missiles - a chain will help but not eliminate the problem. After anchoring a gentle take-off will, as you'll notice the pull of a set anchor far more easily with a low throttle setting when leaving your anchorage.

TII

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

if you are afraid you'll forget again... get an orange or red flag with a clip on it.... clip it on the steering wheel when you drop the anchor and clip it on the anchor when you stow it

ALSO the "she usually" line is the root of the problem... too many captains on the boat..... if you are to be the captain then YOU turn on the blowers when it is time and YOU either pull the anchor or tell (ASK lol) her to pull the anchor when you are ready. ie "OK hun pull it up" .... "everyone ready? OK then here we go"

That way there is one person making all the decisions and not assuming someone else handled it

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

if you are afraid you'll forget again... get an orange or red flag with a clip on it.... clip it on the steering wheel when you drop the anchor and clip it on the anchor when you stow it

ALSO the "she usually" line is the root of the problem... too many captains on the boat..... if you are to be the captain then YOU turn on the blowers when it is time and YOU either pull the anchor or tell (ASK lol) her to pull the anchor when you are ready. ie "OK hun pull it up" .... "everyone ready? OK then here we go"

That way there is one person making all the decisions and not assuming someone else handled it

Totally agree with Smokeonthewater (SOTW for short?). Asking these questions everytime will probably tick her off at first, but she will soon adjust to your verbal checks and will learn to respect your boating skill. And as was mentioned, you do not hammer down unless you are racing, take a few seconds to verify safe conditions exist, before throttling up.

You guys were very lucky that no one was injured, so a lesson was learned and a tragedy averted. Now it's up to you to learn from this experience (you - as in all of you). If you (both) haven't taken a Boating Safety Course then do so. If you have do it again, one that is proctored, and ask questions. You can learn a lot more from a course that is taught live than one on line.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

dirtyoldman, I did the same thing a few years ago.

I forgot to pull anchor & dragged my anchor halfway across the lake. :facepalm:

We all make mistakes at times .. Welcome to the Oops Club.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

mistakes happen. But you do need chain on your anchor.

 

[mrlassi1]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

As to why the fluke anchor became airborne - I'd say that the flukes acted as hydrofoils and when the direction of travel was up there was enough speed and momentum to launch. The anchor rope pivoted at the transom and the anchor curved into the rear of the boat. You dodged a bullet on this one - thanks for sharing. I like the suggestion from Smokeonthewater.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

if you are afraid you'll forget again... get an orange or red flag with a clip on it.... clip it on the steering wheel when you drop the anchor and clip it on the anchor when you stow it

Or you could be like the other 99.9999% of boaters in the world and verify that the anchor is up before accelerating. You made a mistake, learn from it. Depending on flags, clips, etc, is just going to give you another opportunity to repeat your mistake when a kid removes your flag, flag falls off, forget to attach flag, etc.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Thanks for sharing your story. Mistakes happen, if no one gets hurt we call them a learning opportunity. I bet you (and several others on here) don't do it again anytime soon. The anchor does need a chain, but I don't think it will prevent it from flying out of the water, that's just a function of the shape of a fluke. If really concerned, switch to a navy or mushroom anchor - but it may not hold as well depending on your bottom condtions.

Mental checklists are good, as long as it becomes routine to go all the way through them each time we do something.

My only other thought is to check out the bottom of the boat - those bangs were most likely the anchor bouncing off the bottom of the boat.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Or you could be like the other 99.9999% of boaters in the world and verify that the anchor is up before accelerating. You made a mistake, learn from it. Depending on flags, clips, etc, is just going to give you another opportunity to repeat your mistake when a kid removes your flag, flag falls off, forget to attach flag, etc.

Not to be difficult - but how is trying harder to remember learning from my mistake? I want a solution that won't let it happen again even if I do forget. I think I'm going to look at different anchors.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

you could get a different anchor but that won't really eliminate the danger.... other types can pop out of the water too and next time you might get the rope in the prop which can do all sorts of BAD things at WOT..... the real key is fixing your procedures and chain of command.... Best of luck and happy boating.


Don't get me wrong tho... poop DOES happen... A couple years ago I had a floating basket full of crappie tied to the back of my cuddy all nnight while I slept.... In the morn I woke up and was focused on bathroom, breakfast, and getting home.... I heard an odd sound as I got on plane and looked back to see that I had shredded the fish and the basket from flopping in the water behind me..... OOPS

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

I just got off the phone with the boat dealer who told me the same thing. He said they all pop out of the water.

I think I'll make sure to accelerate slowly at first and work on not getting out of my routine. I also think I won't ever let out 25-30' of anchor again. I had 50' of line and could have let it all out. If it popped up it would have been way behind the boat when it did.

 

[Boobie Trap]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Not to be difficult - but how is trying harder to remember learning from my mistake? I want a solution that won't let it happen again even if I do forget. I think I'm going to look at different anchors.

One solution to 100% guarantee that it will never happen again is to sell the boat. Stuff happens on a boat and always will, sooner or later. You did dodge a big silver bullet though!!

You have learned from this mistake, you WILL not let it happen again. It is human nature to safe guard near tragedies and not let them occur again.
Every time you get ready to leave after you have anchored, you WILL be checking the anchor is up and stored.

I hope there was no booze involved. If there was, people tend to forget just how close they came to disaster.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

I hope there was no booze involved. If there was, people tend to forget just how close they came to disaster.

Never on my boat! Not for me anyway!

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Dang man that gives me chills. Atleast no one got hurt.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

Not to be difficult - but how is trying harder to remember learning from my mistake? I want a solution that won't let it happen again even if I do forget.

Do you remember to turn on your blower for 3-5 minutes before cranking your boat? Make pulling the anchor part of your blower routine. Turn on your blower then go pull and stow the anchor. By the time you're done the blower will have plenty of time to run.

I also think I won't ever let out 25-30' of anchor again. I had 50' of line and could have let it all out. If it popped up it would have been way behind the boat when it did.

Letting out 50' of line may have let it just build up speed and gain an additional 20' of altitude before it hit the boat. No way to predict what is going to happen once you start playing flying anchors.

You are aware that you generally want 7 times the water depth of anchor line out when you're anchored? Only 50' of line isn't going to hold you very well in any kind of depth.

You may want to look into a boating course if you haven't taken one yet.

Basic article on anchors and anchoring here:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/34.htm

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

I know that a lot of people use more line on their anchors, but in the lakes around here there's no big current or waves. I try to use 3:1 on the line and have let out more on occasion. I had 100' of line until I lost my anchor last time I forgot it. I need to get more line on that.

The issue here is that there are other boats and obstacles around. I like to get in a cove and hang out. It's usually about 25-30' deep. If I let out 210' of line and the wind changed directions the boat would be in the rocks. I do have larger anchor than required by my boat. It seemed like a good idea at the time, a larger anchor with less line. Now, not so much.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

well if you are going to short anchor you can ditch the fluke anchor.... the flukes will be worthless when used in this manner... a mushroom anchor or even a bucket full of concrete and an eyebolt will work just as well for the same weight and take much less storage space

 

[mayatan]

Re: Got lucky today...what did I do wrong?

I agree with SOTW You are the captain you do it all yourself. I have been boating over 48 years and when ever I have guests aboard, they are there to enjoy themselves. I know they are having fun and I am happy if the last one in after a swim puts up the ladder!. Thats what I like about boating is that you can take your time, check, check, and check again before heading to the next spot on the lake. Never in any rush