Parking on the water is one of the most enjoyable moments for any boater, whether he is a keen fisherman or a lover of relaxation. floatboat It is very different from the control of a heavy boat or a metal "Kazanka", the lightness of the design, high sailing and the specific shape of the bottom require a special approach to the choice of equipment and maneuvering techniques.
A mis-harvested anchor can not only lead to the loss of precious time and fishing space, but also pose a real threat to the safety of the crew. In this article, we will examine all the nuances, from the choice of cargo type to the layout of the strong current, so that your stay on the water was comfortable and safe.
Many beginners make the mistake of thinking that it is enough to just throw a heavy object overboard, but in practice it is important to understand the physics of the interaction of anchor rope, wind and current, so that the boat does not begin to drift undesirably or, worse, does not lag to the wave.
Choosing an anchor for an inflatable boat
The first and most important step is to choose the right anchor device. PVC The weight of the equipment is critical, as each extra kilogram has to be carried to the water and placed in a confined space of the cockpit. The classic Admiralty anchors here are poorly suited because of their bulkiness and the risk of damaging cylinders with sharp legs when lifting.
The best solution is folding structures, such as anchors such as Denforth or Grapple, which take up a minimum of space in the bag and provide reliable ground engagement. Cat anchor It is also popular, but its effectiveness depends heavily on the type of bottom: on soft silt or thick grass, it can simply slide without burrowing.
⚠️ Warning: Never use just heavy objects (stones, bricks, bundles of reinforcement) as anchor without special binding. Sharp edges can cut through the cylinder when rocking the boat, and the absence of paws does not guarantee a reliable hook.
When choosing a steel, consider the material that is made. Steel is reliable but corrosive, whereas galvanized or polymer-coated options last longer. The weight of the anchor is usually chosen at 10% of the displacement of the boat, but PVC is often enough and less weight due to the sailing of the boat itself, which creates additional resistance.
- 🪢 Folding anchor-mushroom is ideal for a muddy bottom and overgrown reservoirs.
- ⚓ The two-horned anchor (Denforth) is the best choice for sandy and clay soil.
- 🪨 Plastic anchor with weighting - safe for cylinders, but requires a very long rope.
Equipment required: rope and buffet
The anchor itself is only part of the system. anchor-ropeIt's a very tough, rip-resistant, and critically inflatable boats, it's not going to sink in water, and it's not acceptable to use a thin line or a capron cord, because it can hurt to cut your hands when you pick them up, and if you get hooked, it's hard to pick them by hand.
The optimal diameter of a nylon or polypropylene thack is 6-8 mm. Such a rope does not cut the hands, lies well in the hand and has enough weight to create the necessary deflection (catenar), which works as a shock absorber of jerks. The length of the rope should exceed the depth at the parking lot in 3-4 times to ensure a reliable angle of attack of the anchor paws.
The second critical element is buyretIt's an extra molt tied to the top of the anchor (a ring opposite to the one the main rope is pulling) and it allows the Buyrep to release the anchor if its paws are sucked into the silt or stuck between the rocks just by pulling the boat back.
Always mark your anchor rope by tying a bright foamstone milestone or a buoy with a phone number to help bring back the anchor if you have to throw it in a storm or in an emergency retreat.
To store the rope on a PVC boat, it is best to use special plastic coils or bags with carabiners. Wrapping a rope in the hand or throwing a chaotic throw into the cockpit can lead to confusion, which in an emergency situation can lead to loss of control.
Anchoring technique: step-by-step instructions
The anchoring process requires coordination, especially if you're on a boat together, and the rule is that you never throw the anchor off a moving boat unless it's an emergency, and you take the boat to the parking lot, and you evaluate the direction of the wind and the current.
The following is a well-developed algorithm of actions: a violation of the sequence can lead to the fact that the anchor shaft winds on the engine screw (if it is lowered) or becomes confused for the elements of the boat design.
☑️ Anchoring algorithm
Once the anchor has touched the bottom, you have to slowly step back, pulling the rope, and when the required length is etched, the rope is pulled abruptly several times so that the anchor's legs turn over and crash into the ground, only after that the rope is attached to the ground. squirt-ring on the bow of the boat.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to attach the anchor rope to the transom or other elements of the stern. When a strong jerk, the boat can instantly turn lag to the wave, which will lead to a sharp roll and possible rollover, especially in choppy conditions.
The wind can carry it faster than the current, so you should focus primarily on the direction of the wind, and not only on the movement of water.
Arrangement schemes: nasal and stern
There are two basic anchoring schemes, and the choice between them depends on the conditions on the reservoir. nose-pattern This involves mounting a rope in the bow, in which case the boat stands up against the wind or the current, which is the most stable and safe position.
The stern scheme is used less often, mainly when fishing for a throw from the side or if necessary stand in a narrow fairway. However, on PVC boats, stern anchoring is extremely dangerous: with a strong jerk of the stern can go under the water, and the boat quickly collects water through a tray or spray valves.
The secret of the "dead" anchor
If the ground is very slippery, use two anchors, one of the main anchors is thrown in a pattern, and the second, less weight, is lowered from the opposite side at the short end, which creates a stretching effect and prevents the boat from turning.
When using two anchors (helicopters), the boat is fixed more rigidly, but the risk of entanglement of the ropes increases. On a strong current, it is better to use one heavy anchor with a long rope, allowing the boat to freely scour within a circle with a radius of the length of the rope.
- 🌊 On the current always be nose against the jet - this reduces resistance and the risk of tipping over.
- 🌬️ With side wind and weak current, the boat can turn around, use a second anchor or floating anchor.
- 🚣 In shallow water, use a shortened rope so as not to touch the bottom with oars.
Table of selection of weight anchors depending on conditions
Choosing the weight of an anchor is always a compromise between the reliability of holding and the ease of transportation: An anchor that is too light will not keep the boat in the wind, and an anchor that is too heavy will create problems when lifting and will unnecessarily load the bow of the inflatable board.
The table below gives the approximate anchor weights for inflatable boats ranging in length from 2.8 to 4.2 meters.
| Boat type (length) | Conditions (smooth/low current) | Conditions (winds up to 5 m/s) | Conditions (high current/wind) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8. - 3.2 m | 1.5 - 2.0 kg | 2.5 - 3.0 kg | 3.5 - 4.0 kg |
| 3.3. - 3.6 m | 2.0 - 2.5 kg | 3.0 - 3.5 kg | 4.0 - 5.0 kg |
| 3.7. - 4.2 m | 2.5 - 3.0 kg | 3.5 - 4.5 kg | 5.0 - 6.0 kg |
| 4.3 m or more | 3.0 - 4.0 kg | 5.0 - 6.0 kg | 7.0 kg and more |
It is worth noting that these values are true for anchors with paws (Denforth, Grapple). If you use an anchor-mushroom or stone, their weight should be increased by 1.5-2 times to provide comparable holding power.
Frequent errors and security measures
One of the most common mistakes is to tie a rope to a pole-holder These are not designed to carry a load of several hundred kilograms that occurs when a boat snags on a wave, at best you lose anchor, at worst you damage the boat.
Another dangerous situation is the anchor candle, which occurs when the boat is suddenly lagged to the wave due to anchor hook or control error, and the inflatable boards are then hit by the wave area, which can lead to loss of stability. Always make sure that the rope comes out of the nose rim.
⚠️ Warning: When lifting the anchor, never wrap the rope on your arm or body! A sharp jerk when the anchor is removed from the ground can cause serious injuries to your fingers or hand. You only need to choose the rope with your hands, intercepting it.
Also, remember the "clean screw" rule: Before throwing the anchor, make sure the motor is raised or tilted, and the rope has no chance of being under the rotating blades. Tangled rope in the screw is guaranteed loss of anchor and risk of damage to lower unit.
Safety on the water begins with the proper organization of the anchor site. Always check the rope attachment to the roach before releasing it overboard.
Lifting of anchor and completion of parking
Removal from anchor is a process that requires carefulness, approaching the anchor against the current or the wind, slowly choosing the rope with your hands. When the boat is above anchor, the rope must go vertically down, at which point a sharp jerk is made up and forth to rip the legs from the ground.
If the anchor fails, you don't have to pull the boat with the engine, which is a direct route to a rope break or a transom break. You better use the rocking method: when you approach the anchor, walk over it with your nose, pick a slack, fix the rope and let the boat pull in the wind, then back up abruptly. buyrepa.
Once lifted, the anchor must be cleared of dirt and silt before being put into the bag. A dirty anchor rusts faster and stains equipment. On a wet inflatable boat, the mud-slip anchor poses an additional danger to the legs.
- 🧼 Wash the anchor with fresh water after each fishing trip in the salt water.
- 🔍 Check the rope for rubbing before each trip.
- 📦 Keep the anchor separate from the rest of the gear in a ventilated bag.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I use a cat anchor for a PVC boat?
Yes, but with caution, the cat anchor holds well on the rocky bottom, but its legs often bend when stuck, the main thing is to carefully wrap the sharp edges of the legs with tape or rubber so as not to damage the cylinders when lifting.
How long should the anchor rope be?
The rope should be at least 3 depths in the parking lot, and in windy weather - up to 5 lengths. This provides a gentle angle of attack, in which the anchor is buried in the ground, rather than pulled.
What if the anchor is stuck dead?
Don't drive the boat. Try to pick a slack, fasten the rope on your nose, and use current or wind to shake the anchor. If you have a buyrep, pull it. At the very least, you have to sacrifice the anchor by tying the floats to the rope.
Do I need a vertebra to anchor on a PVC boat?
The vertebra is useful because it prevents the rope from twisting around its axis when the boat turns, but a quality nylon rope itself is well-rotated, so having a vertebra is not strictly mandatory, but desirable.