windlass question

[ScottM]

ABL,
Just something to think about as an alternative to a windlass - on our Sceptre we run a dock line from the spring cleat to the bow cleat on one side and attach the anchor line to that by running the dock line through the thimble. When you want to deploy the anchor you merely attach the anchor line (we have a line already cut to the length in which we're anchoring and have it stored in a plastic bin) to the dock line and let it out from inside the cockpit. Either drift back or back down to set the anchor. When you want to retrieve it, motor forward until you can grab the line (no too far or you'll foul the prop) and haul the anchor in. When you head for the dock, pull the dock line tight so it's not hanging too low, cleat it off, and you're good to go. This is a good way of anchoring in areas that may be choppy or have a lot of boat traffic. As you probably know, the bow on a Sceptre is a precarious place to be in a 3' chop, with or without the raised bow rail.