Modern fishing and recreation on the water is already unthinkable without technology that facilitates the management of the boat. boat anchorThis device allows you to forget about the physical exertion when lifting the anchor from depth and dirt on board, and also provides accurate positioning of the boat in the current or wind.
Installing an electromechanical anchoring system is not just a winch-based rope replacement, it is a comprehensive solution that requires the selection of equipment under the weight of the vessel, competent electrical wiring and an understanding of the principles of operation. winch-type vertical and horizontalIn this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the selection and implementation of an automated anchor.
Unlike handheld systems, the electrical variant requires a reliable power source. tractorIt is capable of withstanding high initiation currents and long discharge cycles, and the proper integration of all components ensures the safety and durability of the equipment.
Principle of operation and device of electric anchor
The basis of any system is a winch that drives an anchor cable or a chain, and the rotational moment is transmitted from the electric motor through a gearbox, which reduces revs and increases traction. gearbox in such devices is usually made in the form of a worm or planetary transmission, which provides high reliability and self-braking.
The process is controlled by a remote control or a button post installed in the cockpit. solenoid contactor The relay switches the powerful current from the battery to the winch engine, and the solenoids allow thin wires to be placed on the control buttons because the power cables remain near the battery.
⚠️ Attention: In the electrical circuits of anchor winches, it is critical to use fuses or circuit breakers designed to exceed the maximum operating current of the engine by 20-25%, which will protect the wiring from ignition when the mechanism is jammed.
Modern models often have an automatic stopper function, and when the anchor reaches the lock, the system reads the increased resistance and stops the engine, preventing the chain from winding onto the drum. Automation. It simplifies the process by allowing the anchor to be controlled with one hand.
Why is the winch engine warming up?
The engine may overheat due to S3 (short-term) operation. It is not recommended to use the winch continuously for more than 3-5 minutes. Prolonged operation leads to thermal failure of the winding insulation and failure of the device. Let the mechanism cool between the lift and lower cycles.
Selection criteria: thrust, weight and type of anchor
The main parameter when choosing equipment is the traction force, measured in kilograms or pounds. It should correspond to the displacement of your vessel. For light PVC inflatable boats, a force of 150-300 kg is enough, whereas for metal boats and yachts, models with thrust from 500 kg and above are required.
It is important to consider not only the thrust, but also the speed of the anchor sampling. For deep-sea fishing at depths of 10-15 meters, low climbing speed can be an annoying factor. Speed winches They work faster, but they can consume more energy.
The choice of anchor itself also depends on the type of bottom. denforth or ploughFor rocky bottoms, it's best to use anchors with paws that can catch bumps, like a Cat model or something like that. Admiralty The latter are rarely used on small craft due to their size.
When you package a system, look at the material of the chain or cable. Galvanized steel is a classic option, but it is susceptible to corrosion. Stainless steel is longer-lasting, but more expensive. Synthetic cable is light and does not rust, but can rub against stones or sharp edges of the gate.
Installation schemes and electrical part
The installation of an electric anchor begins with the choice of the winch attachment location, which can be mounted on the bow of the boat (horizontal or vertical installation) or in the tiller compartment. The vertical winch takes up less space in length, but requires more space under the deck to store the anchor line.
The electrical circuitry should be as simple and reliable as possible. From the battery's plus terminal, a thick copper wire goes through the fuse to the solenoid. From the solenoid, two power wires go to the winch engine. The minus wire also goes from the battery to the solenoid and then to the mass or directly to the engine, depending on the design.
☑️ Check before the first launch
The control panels are often wireless, running on radio frequencies, which eliminates the need to pull wires over the entire board, but the wired remote is considered more reliable, because it eliminates the risk of battery discharge or loss of signal at a critical time.
The wire section is chosen based on the length of the track and the current consumed. For currents over 50 Amps and longer than 2 meters, it is recommended to use a wire cross section of at least 16 mm2 (copper).
| Type of boat | Boat weight (kg) | Recommended traction (kg) | Cable cross-section (mm2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC (2.5-3.2 m) | 300 | 150-250 | 10-16 |
| PVC (3.5-4.5 m) | 300-600 | 300-500 | 16-25 |
| Metal (up to 1 t) | 600-1000 | 500-700 | 25-35 |
| Boat (1-2 t) | 1000-2000 | 800-1200 | 35-50 |
Automation and smart anchoring
At the pinnacle of the evolution of anchor systems is integration with GPS navigators and sonars. anchorage (Anchor Lock) allows the boat to stay at a given coordinate point, offsetting the demolition by wind and current by thrustering with an electric motor or changing the length of the anchor line.
This requires the winch to be compatible with the control controller or the use of specialized automation units, which analyze the position of the boat and give commands to etching or sampling the anchor, and this is especially true for fishing in windy weather, when manual holding of the position is impossible.
Use colored Cambrians or thermal shrinkage on battery terminals and winches. Red for plus, black or blue for minus. This will eliminate the polarity error of service that can burn the electronics of the winch.
There are also systems with load sensors that automatically tighten the anchor if the boat starts to fall heavily, or give a molt if the load exceeds the critical one (for example, when hooking for a snag), preventing the mechanism from breaking.
It is important to understand that full automation requires complex tuning and calibration. Basic systems Simple electric drives often prove more practical for amateur fishing, as they are less dependent on electronics and easier to repair.
Maintenance and care of the system
Sea water, dirt and sand are the main enemies of mechanical knots. After each application, especially in salty environments, the winch and anchor must be washed with fresh water. Regular lubrication of moving parts with special marine lubricants will prolong the life of the gearbox.
Once a season, electrical connections are recommended to be audited. Contact oxidation is a common cause of system failure. Clearing the terminals and treating them with protective sprays (for example, based on lithium or silicone) will ensure stable contact.
Checking the condition of the anchor line or chain is also mandatory, and scuffling on the cable or elongated links of the chain can lead to a cliff at the most inopportune time. Security The boat is directly dependent on the serviceability of this element.
⚠️ Warning: Never use WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricants to permanently lubricate the winch gear gear gear gear gear gear. They flush out the factory lubricant and over time cause accelerated wear of the gears. Use only specialized thick lubricants.
Common errors in installation and operation
One of the most common mistakes is to save on cross-sectional wires. Boat owners often use regular wiring, which is not designed for currents of 40-60 Amps. This leads to heating of the wires, a drop in voltage and the inability of the winch to lift the anchor from the depth.
Another mistake is the wrong location for the lock, where if the angle of entry of the chain into the lock is too sharp or the chain rubs against the board, it will cause rapid wear and tear of both the lock and the anchor line, and you need to ensure smooth entry of the chain into the winch drum.
The main mistake of beginners is the absence of an anchor stopper on the move. When a sharp braking or hitting a wave, an unattached anchor can fly overboard along with part of the chain, which will lead to the loss of expensive equipment.
Ignoring safety regulations when working with high currents is also unacceptable. All installation work must be carried out with the battery disconnected. Accidental closure of power terminals can cause sparking, melting of tools and burns.
The weight balance of the boat is also important, and installing a heavy winch and battery on the nose of a light inflatable boat can disrupt the boat's balance, making its performance worse and increasing the risk of being overwhelmed by a wave.
Can I use a starting car battery for a winch?
Short term, yes, but not recommended for regular use, start-up batteries are not designed for deep discharge and long-term operation under load, they can quickly fail. traction (GEL, AGM, or LiFePO4) that can withstand many charge-discharge cycles.
Which anchor is better: chain or cable?
The chain is heavier, which makes the anchor work better on the current, and it doesn't rub against the rocks as easily as the rope. However, the chain takes up a lot of space and requires a powerful winch. The cable is lightweight and compact, ideal for inflatable boats, but requires the use of a large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, large, small, small, inflatable boat. anchor-end (chains 1-2 meters long) between the anchor and the cable, so that the anchor lies with its paws on the bottom, and not hanging in the water.
How to calculate the required length of the anchor line?
There is a rule of "seven lengths": the length of the line should be 5-7 times the maximum depth in the parking lot. For example, for a depth of 5 meters, the line should be 25-35 meters long, which ensures the correct angle of attack of the anchor and reliable grip on the ground.
What if the anchor is stuck?
Don't try to pull the anchor at full speed, it can damage the winch or the transom. Get as close as possible to the anchoring point, pick a slack, lock the boat and slowly move in different directions, trying to shake the anchor. If you have a winch, use its thrust, but with breaks to cool the engine.