How to Raise Anchor with a Windlass: Safe Anchor Recovery Steps

NauticEd's Anchoring Course - https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-courses/view/anchoring-a-sailboat?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=D_LkyO7Aexg Check out IMTRA the windlass experts - https://www.imtra.com How do you safely raise anchor with a windlass? In this video, we walk through the basic anchor recovery process, including starting the engines, driving forward toward the anchor, recovering the ground tackle, breaking the anchor free from the seabed, rinsing the anchor, seating it in the bow roller, and securing it with a safety lanyard. Before raising anchor, make sure everyone aboard knows the boat is about to move. Start the engines before operating the windlass because the windlass draws a significant amount of electrical power, and you want the alternator helping support the system. Once ready, begin driving slowly forward toward the anchor, usually into the wind, while recovering slack in the ground tackle. If you anchored with a long scope, there may be a lot of rope and chain to bring in. The goal is to avoid using the windlass to pull the boat forward. Instead, use the engine to move the boat and use the windlass to recover the slack. As the boat comes up over the anchor and the rode becomes nearly vertical, the motion of the boat and sea state can help break the anchor free from the seabed. Once the anchor is free, raise it carefully, rinse off mud or sand if needed, and seat it properly into the bow roller. After the anchor is seated, secure it with a safety lanyard. This is important because if the windlass accidentally deploys or the clutch loosens, the safety lanyard helps keep the anchor onboard instead of letting it drop into the water, run down the hull, or potentially foul the props. If your boat has a devil’s claw and chain snubber system, you can use it to pull the anchor tight into the bow roller and reduce rattling while underway. #sailinggear #boating #boat #sailboat #catamaran