The ground tackle on VOYAGE yachts consists of a Delta bow anchor with 50 m of 3/8 chain, an electric windlass, a rope bridal, a Fortress Kedge anchor and 50 m of rode.

The Delta main anchor is self launching. It can be deployed and recovered by use of the up and down deck switches that control the electric windlass.

There are 2 breakers in the power supply to the windlass, both need to be on before use. One switch is mounted on the panel above the chart table, the other is positioned behind the access panel below the chart table on the lower left hand side. This second breaker should normally be left on. It is good practice to leave the windlass breaker at the main switch panel off when not in use, this prevents accidental activation of the deck switches.

Careful consideration needs to be given when selecting a suitable anchoring spot. Bear in mind prevailing weather, protection from wind and sea, tidal range, depth of water and make up of the sea bed and necessary swinging room. Good communication between helmsman and foredeck person is required.

Select your anchoring spot and stop the yacht head to wind or current whichever is stronger. Try to find an area of clear sand to drop the anchor in, avoid coral and rocky bottoms. In most of our charter locations the water is sufficiently clear that the make up of the sea bed can be seen in normal light conditions.

Open the lazerette to windlass, check chain is free to run out unhindered. Make sure no one is near the anchor, windlass or chain. Check depth of water and whilst yacht is stationary, press down switch to lower the anchor to sea bed.

At this stage only run out enough scope to reach the bottom. Reverse the yacht slowly at the same time laying out more chain. If there is sufficient wind or current it will not be necessary to use the engines to back up but do keep the bows straight. Strong wind gusts can blow the bows off and the anchor chain can run under the forward hulls causing damage.

Run out at least 4 times the depth for scope, let the yacht settle with out reverse power and check to see if you are dragging. If you are not, apply 1000 rpm in reverse on both engines and again check to see if the yacht is dragging backwards. If you are not, increase to 1500 rpm on both engines. If you remain stationary leave the motors engaged for 1 minute and this should finish setting the anchor, disengage motors.

Finally, attach anchor bridle to chain with hook and run out slack until the bridle takes the load and the windlass does not.