Our Anchor Drags in Sardinia! Ep.13

[@john3Lee]

You need to consider an anchor alarm, which will plot your position via GPS, an alarm will sound if you drift away from that position.

[@csteingraber]

I'm just trying to point out despite all the other great advice of alarms, bigger size, more scope that everyone is overlooking the shock absorbtion of the ground tackle system as a whole and it might have been one of the most relevant aspects of what went wrong. It might be why more scope fixed the problem. shock absorption is literally reducing by maybe half or more the loads on the anchor and your cleats! Keep shock absorption as an important part of the overall design. Such as my advice below of using rode as part of the length instead of chain. Also to avoid dealing with a stern anchor or flogging a sail to death as it will rip quickly if flogging then an option to prevent surfing is at the bow or stern to use a small sea anchor or one of those plastic rocker stoppers. one at the front and maybe rear of the boat would prevent surfing and swinging but not put you beam on if wind changes or complicate ground tackle recovery too much. Someone commented about 5/1 scope is fine w/chain according to Rocna but If what they say were true for the overall real life holding power then why did this anchor in the video hold much better with more scope? I've read in various books about how the curve of the chain from it's weight is NOT true in adding angle to the anchor because even long heavy chain does in fact lift and straighten tight like a rode would when you calculate the forces and in experimentation. That commenter shouldn't be telling others to do something potentially unsafe of using less scope that is very irresponsible. This video has real life evidence that this advice is poor advice. I think overall yes a bigger anchor would be better in the loosest of bottoms such as this and I trust Mantus more that their chart is apparently right on the money for sizing. You should have more scope you should have bigger anchor and you should account for the holding that this was loose sand bottom. I have a 45LB Mantus for my Tartan 34C which is 12,000lb or 6ton boat. Also I'm in mud mostly. Lastly I personally use Rode over chain because it has more shock absorption especially when in shallower water (my anchorages are typically 3-8meters depth only) (as chain weight lifting isn't there to absorb shock in shorter lengths for shallower water as much). This same situation with rode might have absorbed those shock loads better of the surfing. If it's inpractical or expensive to add or keep more chain consider having longer section of appropriately sized rode because peak loads cause a lot of problems not just jerking on anchor but your cleats as well so a chain might rip a cleat off before a longer length of rode would. Something to think about. In my university studies in mechanical engineering jerk loads (yes jerk is a technical term) are very important. For example if you hit a baseball with a ceramic bat it would probably shatter right even if you had a thin layer of rubber it would as well. some shock absorption might not be enough. A peak load can really create dramatic loads sometimes approaching infinite loads in some circumstances (such as a super tight jack line that is long and you are clipped to the middle and fall with full weight that approaches an infinite load so jack lines must have a specific amount of slack and not let you go past the life line for example). A short snubber isn't that much shock absorption possibly compared to some length of the line being rode. Oh and I have no windlass whatsoever and no bow roller and I can easily get my 45lb Mantus anchor up from mud (yes buried) by hand or with winch if you have certain techniques such as doing at a speed that boat is allowed to drift to anchor as you pull and also when above it only pull when boat dips in waves to take slack and then let the wave pushing boat up pull on anchor and repeat. You can also pull perpendicular at the middle of a long line that is tight at both ends (like jack line example but in this case the anchor rode or a halyard as another example) and you have huge leverage then u take that slack out as you let back from that sideways pull in the middle of the length. I do that for dock lines too. Trick I learned from someone else. Saying this to convey don't let the bigger anchor intimidate you into not getting it for anyone.

[@TwoGetLost]

We freaked out when we dragged anchor in our first season. I think it's kind of a good thing - makes you way more cautious. Everyone we've spoken to since has admitted to dragging anchor at one point or another, so thank god you were there and everything worked out fine!!

[@NavikaSailing]

Yeah such a good point. We've dragged before but with older style anchors. What surprised us most here is that we had already be holding for over a day and the wind didn't seem to change much. Nothing noticeable, but then suddenly we're back 30m...! Next time we'll think to set an anchor alarm.

[@TwoGetLost]

@@NavikaSailing The exact same thing happened to us this year! We held all day and night, I was watching out track and we just suddenly started dragging, quite fast too. I guess maybe it was a slightly bigger gust, just enough to unset it. Really spooked us though! I should have a degree in anchors the amount I've read about them since getting this boat!

[@eddieohearn17]

Some suggested an anchor alarm, great idea. Also carrying a second anchor that can be set is also a great idea. The second anchor will come in handy later as you travel to areas where you will set a bow and a stern anchor. You will only need a small amount of chain for the second just enough to help it dig in.

[@BitcoinNewsTodayLive]

If you had a ketch rigged T37, you could raise the jigger to keep her pointed into the wind. Mines a Cutter rig too so not an option but my previous owner bought a riding sail that attaches to the backstay I'm going to try when appropriate.

[@westcountry_sailing]

An anchor riding sail, attached to your backstay will prevent the wildest of your pendulum motion, by backwinding at the furthest swing, pushing your stern back towards midline. If you've got a Hank on storm jib on board, you could experiment with the idea. An anchor alarm has already been mentioned, I use anchor Pro in my phone, costs about £5. Really enjoying your channel, thanks for sharing.

[@NavikaSailing]

Thanks for the kind comment Alex. That's a really good idea for using the storm jib as a riding sail! We have a hank on one, so worth a shot. Going to try rigging it before we next need it. I'd thought about a riding sail but didn't think about the possibility of the storm jib - thanks!

[@westcountry_sailing]

Pleasure, let us know if it helps. I'm sure others here with more experience than me will be able to refine the storm jib idea. Happy new year from blighty.

[@kotbob6292]

So many words and deep emotions...you are cool

[@NavikaSailing]

Haha thanks Kot! 😄

[@koruoceanvibesproject7510]

Great Video guys! As mentioned before in the comments, we saw a lot of Monohulls with a small sail on their backstays to prevent this "sailing" back and forth. We don't get this too much on the cat.... 😅⛵️

[@NavikaSailing]

Thanks guys! Yeah a riding sail is a good idea, never had to rig one before but Navika really does seem to surf when the wind picks up. Going to try this next time. Hahah yeah dont rub it in...!

[@juliaweeks5075]

Do you have the M2 anchor? We purchased the M2 last November/December. Mantus has made a modification since then to the shank, which prevents it from dragging. There was a problem with the shank on the earlier M2 models, and it was not discovered until sometime this year. Maybe contact Mantus to check if you have the old model or new model of the shank?

[@thesecretsofearth]

Great great video .

[@NavikaSailing]

Thanks Pinay for watching and following along that's so nice to hear!

[@timkenney820]

You have a great channel. I really enjoy your videos.

[@NavikaSailing]

Hey Tim thanks so much! That's really nice to hear. Happy New Year!

[@cosmich2o122]

👍👍

[@kerimgonenli]

Hey Guys, if you want an anchor that doesn't drag go for the Ultra marine anchor. The best I have used so far.

[@denbeech6647]

Excellent series, well shot and edited about life on a brilliant sailboat! Thanks for sharing. I hope you both decide to do a detailed boat tour in future as the background clips of the interior look amazing.

[@NavikaSailing]

Thanks Dan for your comment! Really great to hear you like the videos. We definitely plan on doing a boat tour, it's long overdue! We're finishing up some interior jobs, looking forward to sharing once they're done! Stay tuned ;)

[@BitcoinNewsTodayLive]

As much scope as possible and multiple anchor alarms is all I can suggest.

[@MrAthlon4800]

You need to request Mantus send you their updated shank. My guess is you are using the first release of the Mantus M2 which is prone to dragging. It might just be that the sand was very loose and no anchor would hold in strong conditions.

[@NavikaSailing]

Hey Ross - thank you for this I think you're right. Both about the shank (we still need to call them) and about the fine sand.

[@MrAthlon4800]

@@NavikaSailing - You are welcome. :-) You may be interested in this recent Mantus M2 independent test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSYf2Stlt-dra8

[@cnc75adventures49]

Would a stern anchor help in that situation a long with the bow anchor to stop the swinging?👍👍

[@NavikaSailing]

Maybe! I guess if the wind was really in one direction maybe, my concern with a stern anchor would be that if the wind shifts it could hold you slightly beam on, increasing windage etc. Have you tried that before?

[@samholroyd9548]

anchor alarm. every time you drop the hook. Set it while you're on top of the anchor to allow for scope.

[@NavikaSailing]

So true!

[@samholroyd9548]

@@NavikaSailing where to next?! where to next?! so excited! Is there any way to transport Navika to SriLanka or India??

[@brentengle7302]

You might have considered dropping a second anchor, Drop a second off the west cost of England back back in 87. Yes it make for a fun recovery. Ours were 9 ton each, but it better then a 500 foot ship that carries explosives washing up on the shore.

[@StevenPendleton]

Download one of those apps for your phone! It will monitor your position and alarm you if it moves, even if your on shore!

[@NavikaSailing]

Yes! This would’ve solved it. And we have one but just not in the habit of setting it during the day...

[@nnn5666]

How deep the water was and how much chain did you put down when you dragged the anchor? Thanks

[@NavikaSailing]

The water was about 4m deep and we had 45 metres out when we dragged... so could've had more out!

[@nnn5666]

@@NavikaSailing Chain only or chain and robe? If you did just chain only you do not want to drop more then 7 times depth of water. You need to check your anchor spec. Make sure anchor handles Weight of your boat. Always nice to go 1or 2 size up if you can. You want to make sure your anchor windlass will handle the weight anchor. I always drop chain 6 or 7 times the depth for any weather condition. If he gets extremely bad I will go maybe 8 times of depth.

[@brucedorrell3693]

Keep your Snubber at the bow , that will reduce you sailing around having it back 10' would give you more swing !

[@NavikaSailing]

Hmm thanks yeah you might be right. We’ve been experimenting with both and it’s not obvious - the main reason also was to get the extra stretch. But suppose we could have a longer snubber length in the water too

[@gerarddavis692]

@@NavikaSailing consider doing a stretch wrap (or spring) in your snubber which will give you the greater safety factor you're after by placing the connection point amidship.

[@miketcq8]

Scary times. Do you not use an anchor alarm?

[@NavikaSailing]

We do at night but didn't think to use it as we were onboard and checking regularly that day! We will do in the future though as you really can't see anything when you're down below

[@miketcq8]

@@NavikaSailing today we so fortunate to have the tech to help us be safer 24/7.... Enjoying your channel, well done.

[@john3Lee]

You need to consider an anchor alarm.... As soon as you drag, an alarm will go off !! You can set the amount of drag in terms of distance before the alarm sounds, its linked to you exact position via GPS... good luck, interesting video

[@NavikaSailing]

Yeah this is a great point. We usually have one on at night in those conditions. Didn't think to set it during the day since we had been holding for so long - but once you're down below working or cooking you cant really see anything that's going on. So worth getting into the habit when there's high wind of having it set all the time. Thanks!

[@john3Lee]

@@NavikaSailing And - Best wishes for 2021 to you both..

[@NavikaSailing]

Thank you the same to you :)

[@simergr]

40 m of chain is way to little for these conditions. It is not the anchors fault but a scope one. You have a heavy boat and you should consider 80 to 100 m of chain to carry on and at 40 knots of wind you let out all chain 80 m or more if you have. Carrying 70 m of chain i would say is on the almost enough side, consider adding at least 10 m more and use it when in trouble.

[@NavikaSailing]

More chain would've prevented this for sure. The only reason we didn't lay more out was because another boat came in right behind us. We should've reanchored in hindsight though... Heard a great definition of seamanship recently as "Just doing the things that are a massive pain in the ass". In reality we would love to have 100m on board.

[@philsmith9807]

@@NavikaSailing Hi, if you check the geometry, you'll see that beyond 5/1 of scope, you don't significantly change the angle of the rode. And the weight you add on your rode doesn't make any significant difference either (dixit Peter Smith, designer of the Rocna). With more chain, you just increase your swinging area and the trouble to weigh anchor. Not all bottoms provide a perfect even holding. No anchor is 100% safe. And the Mantus, despite its pupularity among Americans, isn't the best performing in the various tests. You can check the excellent SV Panope's youtube channel on the subject.

[@tracksensations]

SPIN BABY SPIN

[@NavikaSailing]

Such a good feeling!! Silver lining of heavy wind

[@Cooldudeblue261]

Don’t mess about . Go two sizes up , anchor alarm and sleep like a baby

[@NavikaSailing]

So true. 2 sizes up is a lot more expensive though! But worth it in the long run I think.

[@jackyotes3189]

you have to small anchor. Get the anchor alarm.

[@NavikaSailing]

Yep we've got the anchor alarm, just need to remember to use it now! And yeah looking back, we could've gone one size up... thanks for watching!

[@SOLDOZER]

Anchor too small for that wind.

[@mrdave22]

next time you get an ear infection put a few drops of apple cider vinegar in your ear, daily

[@NavikaSailing]

Oh wow good tip, thanks! Will try that out next time

[@BarracudaHawk]

Rocna anchor 32 kgs , every time...

[@NavikaSailing]

that would've done the trick I'm sure