Windlass anchor drops in reverse

[Dadof3girls]

Almost every time I drop my windlass on my R7, it swivels and drops in reverse. So it doesn’t hold my boat. Is there something I can do or check on the swivel to keep the anchor from dropping like this? You can see it spin right before it hits the water.

[billk2632]

My all chain rode tends to get twisted, especially the section over about 40ft that I don’t let out much. About once a year I let all of mine out and straighten in up. That said I can’t say I pay much attention to which direction my anchor is pointing as a let it out. It shouldn’t matter - when you back down on the anchor to set it, it will flip around to the right direction.

[Dadof3girls]

I guess I really never paid attention until the past several times as I didn’t back up and set it. I always drag now, and pretty sure it is because when it hits the bottom, it is facing the wrong way. May just try and make sure I back up to make sure it is setting.

[billk2632]

Assume you are letting enough rode - at least 3:1 or so for a “lunch hook”.

[Dadof3girls]

Assume you are letting enough rode - at least 3:1 or so for a “lunch hook”.

Yeah I try and stick to the 3:1 methodology, but if it is shallow (10 ft), I may just do closer to 2:1. Never been an issue in the past, until recently.

[billk2632]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I do -- only thing I can figure is you need to back down on it to set it, I don't go crazy being just for a few hours, but enough to pull rode out and let the anchor set -- otherwise the anchor and rode just end up in a big pile on the bottom.

[Kate]

". . . it swivels and drops in reverse."

What type of anchor? Fluke or Delta style?

". . . when it hits the bottom, it is facing the wrong way."

Depending on the type of bottom, that can happen with a fluke anchor. It lands on its side or back. And dragging it won't necessarily right it.

If it's a fluke, try this: Drift back slowly (or use gentle reverse) as you drop the anchor. The flow of water orients the anchor to the correct position. Once you hit bottom, lay out the rode, then gentle tug to set the anchor. You should see the rode tighten and feel the tug.