Better Anchor Holding With A Sentinal

Better Anchoring with a Sentinal

 

I love staying overnight on Snickerdoodle.  I especially like staying overnight while anchored out.  There is something particularly restful about “swinging on the hook”.  One of the Barnacle Bill Blogs in 2011 talked about anchoring.  You sure want to have everything ready before you arrive at your anchorage…… anchor rope, anchor chain, anchor……

  This drawing shows a boat at anchor with everything set up pretty well.  Notice that there is about a five to one ratio (scope) between the length of anchor rope and chain to the depth of water.

Sometimes though when you are anchoring, the weather forecast indicates that a storm is coming.  And, while you have selected a good anchorage, there isn’t enough room to let out more scope to help the anchor stay dug in during the storm.  Having a weight attached about half-way down the anchor line will help the anchor stay in place even if the wind pipes up.

 

I have two three-pound sash weights to use as a weight (often called a sentinel).  Sash weights are the iron weights that used to be used on windows in homes to help you raise or lower the window in its frame (or sash).  The sash weights have a hole drilled in one end and I can clip a snap hook through the hole.  I secure a light line to the snap hook and then snap the hook onto the anchor line and lower the sentinel about half-way down the anchor line.  The sentinel changes the anchor line angles and keeps the anchor line at a lower angle which greatly improves the anchor’s ability to stay dug in the bottom.

So, if you are thinking about anchoring your boat, consider adding a sentinel, snap hook and light line to your anchoring gear.  You might sleep much easier in blustery weather.