How to Anchor and Set Up a Bridle on a Catamaran | TMG

In our first episode of the Inspire and Learn Series, catamaran expert Joe Fox talks us through the best technique for a safe and secure anchor, as well as how to set up a bridle.
This demonstration was conducted on a Lagoon 42.
We go through the step by step process and concentrate on the 6 main components of anchoring.
We hope you enjoy this video.
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If you would like to read our written blog find it here...www.themultihullgroup.com/inspire-and-learn-how-to-anchor-and-set-up-bridle/
Contact us here... www.themultihullgroup.com/contact/
Or find out more about the Lagoon 42 here...www.themultihullgroup.com/lagoon-42/
Contents of this video
0:00 Intro
0:37 6 Main components when anchoring
1:26 Anchor set up
1:46 3 Prep Steps
2:40 Wind Conditions
3:05 Amount of chain
4:40 Communication
5:18 Anchoring Process
8:11 Bridle Set Up
9:33 Lifting Anchor
11:30 Outro

[@mickkollins]

The BEST Cat tutorials on the Net..Thanks mates!!

[@TMGYachts]

Thanks for your great feedback! We appreciate it.

[@jackhedley232]

I have never sailed a catamaran but have chartered a Leopard 45 next month. These videos have been a godsend and I have learnt so much. Many thanks

[@TMGYachts]

I am so glad these helped!

[@Amphictyon1]

TMG, well done. Clear, concise, yet comprehensive.

[@TMGYachts]

Thank you.

[@ioane1979]

You guys are really really good! Your videos and tutorials are probably the best out there. Thanks for that. They are so useful.

[@jeremiemarin4055]

Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time out for teaching the basics . Will become self taught threw these very easy to follow lessons. Cheers

[@TMGYachts]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@markowsley4954]

I've never even sailed on a sailboat before but I have found all of these videos to be very informative and educational.

[@TMGYachts]

Glad we could help Mark. Thanks for watching, Joe

[@royrucker2928]

EXCELLENT!! Thank you so much for a clear and concise lesson!!

[@bbsara0146]

these are great videos of how to manuver a catamaran. I am chartering one and dont wanna crash it and look like a simp

[@TMGYachts]

I'm glad you're finding these helpful.

[@steveflanagan5206]

Great stuff! An outstanding refresher for the most stressful part of cruising!

[@markberger5739]

Thanks, would love to see a series on single handing a big catamaran

[@TMGYachts]

Hi Mark, the Inspire and Learn series is all about giving you the confidence to manage a catamaran yourself. All of these things are able to be done single-handed with a bit of practice. We will definitely consider some videos specifically only featuring single-handed usage.

[@kingdommindset1462]

Excellent as always! Thank you!

[@rustyclark7994]

Very clearly illustrated and described Cool job Joe.

[@RusstafaB]

This is the best anchoring tutorial I have seen on YT very well explained thank you.

[@workwithjoshua]

Awesome stuff guys, I searched for tutorials 2 years ago and didn’t find much. Great to see TMG putting their hand up 👍

[@TMGYachts]

Thanks Joshua! So much more to come!

[@Trendist75]

Great video. Very well prepared and informative 👏

[@TMGYachts]

Glad you liked this.

[@MotoryachtsUnlimited]

Great work!

[@TMGYachts]

Thank you!

[@brandonspain3483]

Thank you, I've so much to learn my wife and I are planning a trip next year this is just our beginning Thank you can't wait to learn more .

[@TMGYachts]

Thanks for your comment. We wish you both the very best in your journey if you need any help or advice don't hesitate to reach out to us directly at [e-mail]. Or continue following this series for monthly instructional videos.

[@SUPERCIVILIAN44]

These videos are awesome!!

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Perfect. Now I hope I get to use this bit of information.

[@kurttosczak8544]

Great stuff. A suggestion for another video. Hooking up to a mooring ball and what to look for in confirming a safe/unsafe mooring ball.

[@TMGYachts]

We will add this to the list if we see more people seeking out this information.

[@RichardBurgmann]

Thanks for this, really enjoy the tutorials. All part of the journey for me to get my own Lagoon :-)

[@TMGYachts]

Thanks Richard. So glad you enjoyed it and excited for you to begin the adventure!

[@Mike-ccu]

Awesome techniques.

[@francismontocchio9910]

Another fantastic video! Thank you!

[@TMGYachts]

We are glad you liked it!

[@JonniArmani]

Thank you,)

[@alanbuckley7000]

great tutorial !

[@TMGYachts]

Thank you!

[@Thebink21]

Heading out to Key West next week on a Bali 45......good quick review. Love your videos!

[@TMGYachts]

Thanks Brendan! Enjoy!

[@MilesCarterUK]

Thanks this is a really helpful video.

[@TMGYachts]

We are glad you liked it Miles!

[@petesweitz2858]

Your videos are very well done, Thank you! Did I miss the part where you said “anchoring in a mooring field is a big no-no!” ?

[@SeaHeroesSailing]

Hi TMG, I think that i am missing the part where the anchor is pulled in to the ground. Now in the video it looks like you pull on the anchor with the windlass but in reality the bridle should be used to pull the anchor in the ground with +- 1500 rpm backwards.

[@TMGYachts]

Hi Sea Heroes, hope you are enjoying your Lagoon adventures. You are right in saying this is another approach, both work and this is just the way we personally prefer.

[@rogerbsailor]

I agree with the comment. With the method shown, you're in reverse with the engine powered up to ensure a good set, and all the force is on the windlass. That's what you warned not to do via pulling the boat forward with the windlass. With this boat it would seem that, before you are ready to back down harder on the anchor, you could attach the chain shackle to the chain just aft of the bow roller and cleat the snubber line off on that mid ship cleat. Then you can back down on it and the cleat is taking all the force, not the windlass. Once set, attach the bridle.

[@PeterSedivec]

100% agree with both comments. The video is very good at teaching the basics and helping beginners learn good techniques, however if you're going to publish authoritative videos you should make sure that critical feedback is taken and the videos are instructing the best approach. As both comments have already pointed out you should not back down on the anchor using the windlass to hold the anchor. Two reasons for this, one is the strain on the windlass and second the bridal attachment will change the scope significantly, especially in shallower anchorages. Other tips can be provided as well like marking the chain with paint, chain markers, zip ties to measure distance. My last bit of feedback is maybe don't do these videos in the most perfect conditions,you don't need to demonstrate in 20kts in a tricky anchorage but having some breeze, common will greatly help make them more realistic

[@yosb961]

great staff and very professional guys, well done, is there by chance a short clip explaining the usage of the Dingi lifting equipment?

[@TMGYachts]

Hi there. We do not have a video like this. This type of equipment is very much individual to the specific design.

[@KP-lt4kt]

👍

[@delfersi79]

Hi, Thanks for this great video. Any tips when having to anchor stern as well?

[@TMGYachts]

A stern anchor is not an option on these catamarans so it won't be a demonstration that we can offer, unfortunately. We recommend talking to the dealer of the specific boat that you would like to anchor from the stern.

[@dudeiplayhockey]

@@TMGYachts is that a common option? Just curious.

[@dannyboyspace]

Would you ever set a second anchor off the bow for extra holding (about 60 degrees apart) - we do this with monohulls. Not sure how you would do this in a catamaran. (Same with a Bahamanian anchor setup - two off bow at 180 degrees).

[@vanessahajzus3115]

Is it possible to tell where you got the anchor bridle snubber latch that you have? Ours doesn't have a latching system and did come lose from the chain, it's an open hook. I'd like to get one like what you show, but I haven't been able to search one like that. Thank you for any insight.

[@davidshafer1872]

Can/should you put an anchor buoy on?

[@SalvatorePatane-mm5ys]

Lagoon 42 catamarans no longer come with the chain grip that has a locking pin. Our chain grip keeps falling off the chain. How do you stop this from happening? We have tried to purchase the Richard 2985 chain grip containing the locking pin, but have been told that these are old models and no longer produced.

[@nickthequick]

Do you not mark the position of the anchor with a mooring ball for others to see?

[@TMGYachts]

This is a great idea, definitely something people could do but it is not that commonly seen.

[@alexanderdau4990]

About the bridle snap shackle used in 8:55 who is manufacturing this?

[@TMGYachts]

It is Wichard.

[@rossbrashear535]

Let me start with I've never sailed a boat before. I'm just a youtube watcher. In watching videos on anchoring it would seem to me to be beneficial to attach a rope that is attached to a floating object to the anchor to keep up with where the anchor is located. If you are in 4 meters of water then attach a rope with 5 meters of slack to the anchor. Then you could easily look out and see what your location to the anchor is at all times. The fact that after 1000s of years of sailing nobody does this there must be a logical reason why that wouldn't be a good idea.

[@scottmarkham9466]

Is that Elayna from La Vagabond ?

[@stevenpeyton7476]

I would've just grabbed one of those empty balls 😂

[@JamesHitt]

Not a ship.

[@TMGYachts]

Definetely not, much more fun!

[@SenpaiSchuda]

Pro and cons ...please ... single or double anchor???