Process of Packing an Anchor Chain
Packing an anchor chain is a very important process for boat owners. Few things intimidate novice boaters more than anchoring. A fouled anchor chain can make an already stressful situation even worse. There are devices, such as the electric windlass, that are designed to make the process easier. However, if the anchor chain has not been properly stowed, even an electric windlass will jam--forcing a boater to the bow of the boat to disengage the windlass manually, sometimes in less than optimal conditions.
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Do It Right the First Time
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The most important part of stowing an anchor chain and rode is to ensure that the bitter end of the rode (or chain, if you are using all chain) is made fast to the boat itself. There is nothing worse than tossing out your anchor and watching all the chain and rode disappear because you didn't tie the bitter end to the boat. In deep enough water, an anchor can become irretrievable, and that makes this a very inconvenient and expensive mistake.
Lay out the entirety of the chain and rode on the dock beside the boat. Done properly, this process will only have to be done the first time you are packing the anchor chain. Once you've ensured that the anchor chain and rode has been made fast to the boat, begin coiling the rode at the bottom of the anchor locker. On deck, a line should never be coiled because of the danger of someone stepping inside the coil while the line is being paid out. However, because it would be highly irregular for someone to step inside an anchor locker, it is fine to coil the rode here, and the line will actually pay out much smoother than if it were faked.
Once the rode has been properly coiled and stowed, it is time to pack the anchor chain on top. Do your best to coil the chain as well, though this will become more difficult as more chain is added. The important thing here is to make sure the chain doesn't foul itself by becoming tangled. It is fine for the chain to pile up as long as there is a clear path for it to enter and exit the anchor locker.
When raising the anchor, take care to ensure that the process of packing the anchor chain and rode has been completed properly. This is best accomplished by raising the anchor slowly and feeding the rode and chain into the anchor locker. If this is not possible because of a crowded anchorage, the next best method is to lay the chain and rode on the deck and then stow it properly when the conditions permit.
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