FORMULA 45 - ANCHORING


Sapone,

Sounds like you do a lot of good cruising. I wintered in Ft. Pierce this year lived on 40 pc for 3 months.I am planning next winters trip to the Bahama's. Headed for possibly Marsh Harbor.Would like to know if you have any info on it.
 
Rick,
Thanks for the photo.
It looks to me like you and gwazoo have an even bigger problem than I do.
If your 40PC's swing like my 45, I can see your gel coat will be damaged.
The 45 has a stainless steel sheet metal enclosure surrounding the bow rollers,
but when the anchor chain bears against it, there is plenty of noise and I believe
the anchor chain will quickly damage the enclosure.
I really think the bow roller should be forward of the bow, as was the case with my Sea Ray.
I'm still waiting to hear from Formula on this.
I guess there aren't any other 45 owners reading this forum.
 
gwazoo,

Marsh Harbor is a good place to spend time because ( relatively speaking ),
most things you will need for an extended stay are there. The only comparable
location I am familiar with is Nassau which is good for provisions, restaurants, etc.,
but not so good for an extended stay. I have never been to Grand Bahama.
Let me know where you want to go, and I can probably help with suggestions
for the Abacos and the Exumas. Most of my time has been in the Exumas as far
down as Sampson and Staniel.

I have a rule of thumb that I don't want to spend time in the Abacos from December
to March because it is too cold for me, and the wind is usually blowing. The Exumas
are a little better because they are further south, but still not the best time of the year.
My favorite time is May and June, before the hurricanes start.
 
sapone

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I still have to go to work but I am able to take off from Dec to March.I guess thats not so bad.How much further are the Exumas.
 
Exuma islands are about 50 to 85 miles East of Nassau.
There are three marinas I use.
Highbourne Cay Marina is the closest to Nassau at 50 miles.
Sampson Cay and Staniel Cay are south of Highbourne.
Get the EXPLORER CHARTBOOK EXUMAS from
www.explorercharts.com and plan your trip.
If this is your first crossing, you should also have
EXPLORER CHARTBOOK NEAR BAHAMAS.
From Miami, I would cross to Bimini or Cat Cay.
If the weather is good, continue to Chub Cay for fuel,
and cross to Nassau.
There are some good anchorages a few miles East of Nassau at Rose Island.
Just remember, it will be blowing and you should plan
your crossings accordingly.
 
Sapone

I have the near Bahamas chart book.Guess I better get the Exumas. Kind of hard to find in my neighborhood. I'll be in Florida next week and I'll pick it up. Thanks for your input.
 
I have just taken delivery of my 45 yesterday we will be doing a lot of anchoring and would be glad of any photos of the methods mentioned above. If there is anyone with photos My email address is jake@vixencnc.com
What strength Karabiner or clip should be used through the chain link?

jake
 
The ABI chain grabber is a good set up. It requires two shackles to be attached, and then line between them and each bow cleat.

At the Annapolis show, I found some new lines which are very nice, as were the people selling it. I actually talked with them extensively about this set up. Their lines actually have a small diameter snubber incorporated inside the line near the loop end. It is a great concept, as snubbers always seem to be short lived due to UV damage. This design keeps the snubber from growing old before its time, as UV rays never get to it. For me, two of their 5/8 snubber lines, and the ABI chain grabber will do the trick, and I believe be much stronger and safer to install than the caribiner set up. I'll be giving it a try, and will plan on providing pictures at a later date.

Here's a link to the lines: www.synergymarine.com
 
I have fouund that the best thing to do is drop 2 anchors when spending the night. i use the factory anchor as well as a fortress which is easily stored. I have slept much better knowing that i am nor going to move with that fortress in place.
 
Alex,

Where do you attach the second anchor ? Do you have a 45 ?

I started this thread on anchoring on 03/25/08. I haven't seen any comments from other 45 owners,
so assume none are reading this forum. I recently spent 3 months on my 45 in the Bahamas and tried various methods anchoring. My experience is that you cannot connect a snubber or bridle to the forward deck cleats because they wrap around the bow and spot light when the boat swings. The boat often pulls at a 30 to 60 degree angle to the anchor rode. For this reason, I have not used a second anchor.

The only solution I have found is to attach a 10-foot nylon line between the towing eye and the anchor chain rode using a chain grabber with shackle to the line.
 
Would be happy to send pictures of my"snubber" for my 37 pc..has worked well in heavy winds. over 40 mph ..so much so that nylon line was frayed and had to be replaced.
This topic was covered extensively earlier .
seadoc2@aol.com
 
Sapone - I do not have a 45 - I have a 40 PC. I tie rode to the forward cleat on either side and the boat harley swings as compared to the chain for some reason.
 
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