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Sealing Anchor Chain Spill Pipes

Anchor lockers are a convenience to coastal cruisers but no friend to offshore sailors. Passagemakers often forgo a deck-clearing locker for a belowdecks anchor-chain well. An angled spill pipe leads the anchor chain from the deck to the well, which often is under the forepeak and behind a watertight bulkhead. The setup not only eliminates the flooded-bow worries inherent with an on-deck locker, but it also moves the chain and anchors’ weight lower and further aft, where it should be to avoid hobby-horsing.

Practical Sailor Classic: The Load on Your Rode

Our time spent testing anchors has prompted some important musings; we offer the following thoughts regarding the forces and factors to be considered before purchasing anchors and rodes.
We like going one size over what is often recommended for smaller boats. The advantages are a.Less stretch. Nylon can be too stretchy, but polyester not stretchy enough. One size over can be a Goldilocks answer. b.Better wear resistance. Because we like using short chain when hand-hauling, we cover the first 10 feet with a webbing chafe guard. This is very cut resistant, because unlike the rope inside, it is floating and not under tension. c. Better grip. ⅜-in. is pretty hard to grab with the wind is up. ½-in. fits our hands better. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Polyester vs. Nylon Rode

In order to minimize the strain on our anchor, we expect the rode to absorb impact forces imposed by waves, yawing and gusts. These...

Windlass Replacement on an Island Packet 40

At first I thought that standing on the V-head toilet and climbing awkwardly into the chain locker was funny. I tried not to think...

Mud Anchoring Wisdom

For as long as I can remember, and probably for generations, it has been Chesapeake Bay lore that the longer an anchor soaks the...
Replacing AGMs with Blue Nova lithium batteries. This was way above my pay grade! After trying to install twice with the help of "mates," I eventually found a brilliant young engineer in Cape Town. (Photo/ Brett Campbell)

Boat Improvements for the Technically Illiterate

My wife Amanda often asks fellow cruisers the question: Would you prefer to sail with an experienced mechanic who knew little about sailing, or...
You don't need to keep a full-size SCUBA tank onboard for underwater emergencies. Mini SCUBA tanks like this Spare Air don't take up much storage space, and offer sailors the ability to dive on an anchor or work on the prop longer than you'd be able to with snorkel alone.

Compact Scuba Kits for Sailors

In general, many cruisers prefer the freedom of snorkeling to scuba diving, yet there are situations when extending the time you can spend underwater becomes a safety issue.

Checking Rope Strength

We like nylon for docklines, anchor rode and chain snubbers because it stretches, absorbing jolts that would otherwise be transferred to the boat and...
While setting anchor after nearly 100 days at sea, John ripped off part of his pinkie finger. He communicated with the author via voice memo to help this article come to life. (Photo/ John Jones)

Pacific Dismasting: Lessons Learned from 100 Days at Sea

We are all subconsciously aware that an atrocity may occur when we embark on an ocean passage; but dismasting rarely crosses our minds. Until...

Chain, Chain, Chain:Mooring Rig Test Begins

Slips too expensive? A mooring may be your answer. We search for the toughest chain.