Carver Mariner 350 Anchoring Technique

[amanphoto]

I know how to anchor. My question lies in how do you secure the deployed anchor to the boat? Obviously the anchor is deployed by the windlass and held fast by the chain gypsy. The gypsy is just a clutch and can move under enough load, Plus I've heard that it is not good the the windlass to have all the boats weight yanking in it at anchor. I've watched a lot of sailing videos over our long winter her up North (there are not that many power boat ones). It seams the popular way to secure the rode to boat is to uses an "Y" shaped anchor snubber attached to the port and starboard bow cleats and clip it to the chain. The "Y" shape helps steady the boat at anchor. Then let some slack out to remove tension from the windlass. That is all well and good, but on my Carver Mariner the port (1) and starboard (3) cleats do not have any backing material under them. They through bolted into just fiberglass. Clear #2 has a metal backing plate. If I attach to the center cleat (2), I don't have much stability. If I attach to the cleats 1 and 3, I'm afraid that I'm going to damage the deck. I might try to attach a metal backing plate to cleats 1 and 3, but I'm not sure it will be enough surface area because of it's location next to the deck storage lockers and the hull.

What do other people do?

[CaptBob]

Just judging the layout, I would think that cleat #2 was put there just for the solution you need. The previous boat I had (Cruisers) had a cleat there and since we had chain and rode we would anchor, add some slack and take it up on the cleat. That would get the slack off the windlass. Our 360SS has all chain, so I had to get a snubber to attach the chain to the cleat, and yes, there is a cleat right there by the windlass. For a lunch hook, I generally just let it hang, but then again, we are on a pretty calm lake. (as long as the wind stays away)

I think it's there for that purpose. At least, I sure hope it is, that's what I use it for.

Surprised the others don't have backing plates, I now have to check mine. I've held a lot of load (rafting) on those. Seems that many peoples anchors are "defective" and don't get a really good hook.

[Viper]

No windlass should be taking the load when anchored unless it is specifically designed to do so. That Maxwell you have (Freedom) is not. There are stoppers or locks on the market that are thru-bolted and designed for that and to prevent accidental deployment while underway. If the cleat you have there is robust enough and thru-bolted with a heavy and wide backer plate, you can custom make a stopper with a shackle or snap hook of the proper rating. A snubber has a function but it does not take all the load off a windlass.

https://www.google.ca/search?biw=1536&bih=772&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=slWIWqiYF4y6jwTtpoqIBg&q=anchor+chain+lock&oq=anchor+chain+lock&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l4j0i24k1.53095.55421.0.57116.9.8.0.1.1.0.117.797.3j5.8.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.8.687...0i5i30k1j0i8i30k1.0.MrcoNqsIxyY#imgrc=_

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost Just judging the layout, I would think that cleat #2 was put there just for the solution you need. The previous boat I had (Cruisers) had a cleat there and since we had chain and rode we would anchor, add some slack and take it up on the cleat. That would get the slack off the windlass. Our 360SS has all chain, so I had to get a snubber to attach the chain to the cleat, and yes, there is a cleat right there by the windlass. For a lunch hook, I generally just let it hang, but then again, we are on a pretty calm lake. (as long as the wind stays away)

I think it's there for that purpose. At least, I sure hope it is, that's what I use it for.

Surprised the others don't have backing plates, I now have to check mine. I've held a lot of load (rafting) on those. Seems that many peoples anchors are "defective" and don't get a really good hook.

+1.....that is how we do it.......

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost

Qr Bbpost Just judging the layout, I would think that cleat #2 was put there just for the solution you need. The previous boat I had (Cruisers) had a cleat there and since we had chain and rode we would anchor, add some slack and take it up on the cleat. That would get the slack off the windlass. Our 360SS has all chain, so I had to get a snubber to attach the chain to the cleat, and yes, there is a cleat right there by the windlass. For a lunch hook, I generally just let it hang, but then again, we are on a pretty calm lake. (as long as the wind stays away)

I think it's there for that purpose. At least, I sure hope it is, that's what I use it for.

Surprised the others don't have backing plates, I now have to check mine. I've held a lot of load (rafting) on those. Seems that many peoples anchors are "defective" and don't get a really good hook.

+1.....that is how we do it.......

+2.... After the anchor is set we tie off to that cleat with a snap hook on the chain.
Cheers
Fraser......

[denpooch]

Viper you state: "..A snubber has a function but it does not take all the load off a windlass."
Besides acting as a shock absorber on all chain rode, regarding load, I am under the impression that is the function of a snubber.
Set the anchor, attach the snubber and let out a bit of chain to release load.
I know that you are a wealth of knowledge and I'd ask if you can you kindly explain what you mean?
Thanks.

[Viper]

A snubber will absorb shock and therefore some load but it won't take all the load. Some of the load will still be on the windlass. When a snubber is maxed out due to conditions, all the load will transfer to the windlass. Just to clarify, I'm talking about the rubber snubbers that fasten to the chain at both ends, not the snubber bridles that hook up to the chain and cleat. Those will relieve the load on the windlass IF set properly.

[g36]

Backing plates may be molded into the fiberglass during build and may not be visible just by eyeballing the bottom under the cleat

[Viper]

Agreed.

[bud37]

Qr Bbpost Backing plates may be molded into the fiberglass during build and may not be visible just by eyeballing the bottom under the cleat

I believe it mentions Aluminium backing plates in the brochure build specs sheet......