BENETEAU Oceanis 41.1 2017 Owners’ Notes page 8

Interlude Owners' Notes
Deploying the Anchor
1. Check the tide tables to determine high and low water levels while you are anchored. We prefer
to anchor in 20-25 feet of water; the tidal range in the Islands ranges from 6-12 feet. The
bottom can slope upwards sharply near the shore; make certain you will have enough water
under you as the boat swings with the tidal currents.
2. Check the weather forecast for expected wind conditions overnight to anticipate how the boat
will swing at night and if there's going to be a strong wind requiring a secondary anchor.
Monitor VHF Channel 3 or 4 and listen for "Northern Inland Waters."
3. Normal scope for the islands is 4:1. To calculate the amount of chain rode to deploy, use the
following formula (all units in feet):
For example, if the current water depth is 25 feet, the expected tidal rise is an additional 10
feet, and the freeboard (bow to water line) is 5 feet, then the amount of rode to use is
(25'+10'+5') x 4 = 160'. The chain is marked
mark just disappears over the bow and into the water you'll be nearly spot on!
4. Check the windlass breaker in the port aft cabin near the battery switches (we always leave this
on). The windlass remote control is in the chain locker. "UP" and "DOWN" buttons control the
windlass.
5. Pick the spot where you want to stop the boat when the anchor is set, turn into the wind or
current, and motor forward 3-4 boat lengths.
6. The anchor will swing between the bow and the water line. Proceed slowly using short bursts of
the windlass until the anchor is in the water. We like to hand-push the anchor forward, keeping
the shank level before gradually allowing it to ease into the hanging position. Then we lower the
anchor using the windlass remote to approximately the number of feet on the depth sounder so
it is on or near the bottom (the
7. Signal the helmsman to put the transmission in Idle Reverse and deploy the desired amount of
chain rode while backing down to your desired anchorage point. Use hand signals to instruct the
helmsman or use the portable radios to communicate (see "Communications").
8. Once all the rode is deployed, allow the anchor to set and stop the boat while continuing in Idle
Reverse for 30 seconds or so. Line up two objects on shore - you're holding firm if the boat is not
moving relative to the targets.
9. Finally, always set the snubber line. Tie-off the snubber on a bow cleat and hook the chain below
the roller. Keep some tension on the snubber and use the windlass to ease out some chain so
that the snubber takes the load and the chain is slack. Now relax and enjoy a lovely evening!
Retrieving the Anchor
1. Start the engine; take the boat hook forward (to fend off the anchor so it doesn't hit the bow);
turn "ON" the anchor wash-down hose in the anchor locker.
Rode = (Current Water Depth + Max Tidal Rise + Freeboard) x 4
Blue mark starts at 25 feet).
Red at 150', so if you deploy the chain until the
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Red