Bitt with a hole

[Figment]

Does anyone have one of these bitts with the hole for the anchor rode?

I'd love to have one less deck fitting, but the boat we had when I was a kid had one of these and I vaguely remember it being a pain in the kiester to get the rode back down into the locker. You couldn't top-feed it, you had to go below and yank it down from within the locker. I also vaguely remember that anchor rode as a very old stiff and crusty line, though, so I wonder which is the chicken and which is the egg.

[dasein668]

I bet it would be a nightmare to feed that thing!

[MikeD]

I had considered the same bitt myself, but in the end thought there was enough "activity" around a straight mooring bitt without adding an anchor rode to the mix. I'm happy with the decision, as my double mooring pendants on my 5" bitt would pretty much cover up a hole in that location.

Now I suppose I should get around to installing my chain pipe...

[Hirilondë]

I guess I just don't understand what advantage the hole is supposed to provide. Does it act as a fair lead for your rode? I have a hawse and a bit only and have yet to need anything more. My anchor chain hangs from a hook under the hawse cover for retrieval when anchoring. I use the bit for mooring bridles, dock lines or anchor rode as applicable.

[Figment]

Dave, the hole in the bit acts in place of a separate hawse pipe. The rode feeds down through the base of the bitt into the forepeak.

I think I'll just go back to using the vent cowl as the hawse pipe.

[MikeD]

Dave, where do you store you anchor when not in use? I don't see one of those "classic" danforth anchor hangers on your bow.

Rhetorical question: is it acceptable to store your anchor "at ready" in a cockpit locker, especially when you're pretty much just going out day sailing? I've grown really fond of my uncluttered fore deck...

[jollyboat]

vent cowl as the hawse pipe is a Triton approved method, the least amount of weight in the bow - priceless - no rhode, no water tank, no anchore, no pulpit, no, no, and no - come on guys - enough of this Queen Mary stuff -it's a 28 foot daysailor/overnighter/racer, tie the anchore to the mast - that is the one thing that absolutly must stay on board - I am starting to think that our Tritons are getting "obeastly". ANY weight forward of the mast on a Triton is like putting the breaks on. is there a carbon fiber mast thread page on this forum <all grins guys, don't hate me for dreaming>

[bcooke]

To answer the rhetorical question... IMHO... I would say whatever you are comfortable with.

Uncluttered decks are great. Personally I don't think anchors on bow rollers look good either.

Less weight in the forepeak is divine. I am sure the boat performs much better without all that gear up there.

On the other hand... having an anchor at the ready can get you out of a whole heap of trouble sometimes. Think of it as a 'pause' button. When in doubt, throw it out! I remember sailing among rocks, close to shore when I misread a marker and rode over a just submerged rock tearing the rudder off at the water line. Having an anchor to drop instantly was very nice that day.

An anchor in a cockpit locker 'at the ready' might actually be even better since you could probably deploy it that much quicker. You just have to live with the anchor rode flaked down your deck unless you were willing to have it tied to a stern cleat - also not such a bad idea but far from ideal for your normal anchoring situations.

If you are comfortable without an anchor up there I don't see a real problem.

For example...



And Mike, while I have no experience with that mooring bit I would think getting the rode back down inside could be a real pain. How about a large side opening, self draining deck hatch?!

doitdoitdoitdoit...

-Britton

[Tim]

vent cowl as the hawse pipe is a Triton approved method, the least amount of weight in the bow - priceless - no rhode, no water tank, no anchore, no pulpit, no, no, and no - come on guys - enough of this Queen Mary stuff -it's a 28 foot daysailor/overnighter/racer, tie the anchore to the mast - that is the one thing that absolutly must stay on board - I am starting to think that our Tritons are getting "obeastly". ANY weight forward of the mast on a Triton is like putting the breaks on. is there a carbon fiber mast thread page on this forum <all grins guys, don't hate me for dreaming>

It'd be nice to avoid all the clutter and weight that comes with a cruising boat, but unless one's plans for the boat are for only stripped-down daysailing with no need for accommodations or gear, unfortunately certain things can't be avoided--like pulpits, anchors, and water storage.

I don't think anyone likes the way anchors look on the bow, but if you use it at all frequently, it's certainly the most convenient way to store and deploy the anchor. If you only need an anchor as an occasional lunch hook, storing it in a locker or elsewhere is just fine, in my opinion. No need for the clutter if you don't need it.

Any anchor should be ready to go quickly in an emergency, though. You never know when you might need it to save your boat. Worst-case scenario, maybe, but any on-the-water situation can change in an instant.

As with all things, the outfitting of one's personal boat should match the intended use of the boat for that person. So there's no one right answer to any of these questions.

[Hirilondë]

Aha, it is the hawse. It would seem just from looking at the pictures that feeding your rode in would be tedious. A straight hawse is bad enough.

Dave, where do you store you anchor when not in use? I don't see one of those "classic" danforth anchor hangers on your bow.

Rhetorical question: is it acceptable to store your anchor "at ready" in a cockpit locker, especially when you're pretty much just going out day sailing? I've grown really fond of my uncluttered fore deck...

My yes answer to the second question also answers the first one. That is exactly what I do and why. I have considered using a bow pulpit bracket for actual cruising then removing the anchor the rest of the time. I can see the convenience when anchoring every day or two over an extended period cruise. I will find out this coming 2 weeks starting in a couple hours if I will add the bracket for next year.

Well I am off in a few for my summer cruise. If I discover any profound thoughts on this subject I will respond when I get back.

[Rachel]

Have a great cruise, Dave!

I hope you'll regale us with photos and tales upon your return.

R.

[jollyboat]

I could not agree with what has been mentioned on this subject more - the issue with anchors and associated gear is completely subjective to how a person might be using the boat at any given time. All of my wining is obviously pure bull as it would be a pain to have to "race" tie the anchor while cruising. I think it is great that our classics are as versital as they are and allow for so many options. Because I am in Western Long Island Sound where it is typically very calm and with generally good anchoring bottom I deploy anchors from the cockpit. If the weather is calm and predicted to remain so, I tie to the stern and that is that - I am typically with the boat at all times during such a manuver. I do keep the bow very empty because in the W.LIS. we have this nasty little standing chop that seems to stop the Triton and other boats very quickly and in this case it helps the Triton to get over the chop without loosing all speed.

[Figment]

Brian, perhaps this is because you're also light-in-the-tail without the engine?

I haven't done any empirical testing or anything, but I'm convinced that my boat sails better with some weight forward. Full vs empty water tank makes all the difference in the world.

I'm not about to stuff an all-chain rode in the forepeak, mind you, but the vberth is my cargo bay.

[Tim]

Tritons (and other Alberg designs), with their saggy sterns, do like enough weight forward to try and counter the sagging tendency, I think. Sagging cockpits and transoms are certainly slow (and downright ugly to boot).

But excess weight in the ends (at least three of the four "ends") is always a no-no, from a strictly race-performance-type approach.

I've always thought that ideally, a sailboat ought to sit barely bow-down with no one aboard, and therefore level when some weight is added to the cockpit. This is an impossible dream with a Triton (unless, like Brian, one removes the engine and everything else! hehe) No sailboat looks good when trimmed to the stern. And what looks bad, is bad; what looks right, is generally right. This mantra is what kept natural design geniuses like Olin Stephens designing good-looking and fast boats for all these years: what looks right is right (and usually fast).

Boats sail best when they're properly trimmed. Keep the weight in the center, as much as possible, and get the gunk out of the stern. Obviously, practical needs often prevent the ideal setup, but one does what one can.

[jollyboat]

Yup' - you guys are right on again - not that you need me to tell you that. Our beloved Tritons have been designed with a shape and characteristics that have and will continue to serve the test of time as long as water and wind remain as we know them. With that said, and understanding the history of our Tritons and it's design - by todays standards she has slipped into the lovable position of the 'underdog' in the performance aspect of designed 'speed'. This is where my passion lies and a huge reason that I love the Triton. Secretly, our girls are surprisingly spritely and fast and on more than one occassion have I caught the compitition in my 'assumed to be slow' Triton. Besides knowing our Tritons in handling and easing her along with no sudden jerky movements and upgrading every possible item on the boat that can be - weight is next big chapter in reaching pure Triton performance. Though I have removed a lot of items from 466 - she looks very stock and for the untrained eye one would never know of my efforts. Aboard, the boat is very standard looking - I have the forward v-birth, head and hanging locker area and the salon. Though currently removed for refinishing - most of the teak trim will be re-installed
as well as the solon cushions and even a hinged door that separates the head from the salon (girls like that). As you know, among the items that I have removed to reduce weight are the enigne and associtated gear, I have also removed the galley base locker and ice box ( but these had to be removed to remove the fuel tank and deal with the cockpit drain plumbing (I followed the Lackey method). I have removed the marine toilet, this is a weight savings but was not done so for that reason. It was removed because the law enforcement in our country has gone completley off the deep end in their efforts of revenue collections. In order for me not to be further TAXED for leaving the original head system set up as is - it would require a tremendous amount of time, money, effort to upgrade and manage an on board sanitation system - that in the end - does weigh a lot in comparison to a bucket with a liner in it. Because it is true that the demands on my boat are not such that it calls for the need of spare equipment, not much extra gear is "stored aboard" - but beleave me - there is an arsonal of "extra gear". Basic creature comforts can be found - but never in excess and I never have applied the " I better save this - it may come in handy one day" illogic - not even at home. I still have the infamous water tank that was intalled in the bow of 466, but I highly doubt that is will ever see water while I am managing the yacht. Though in a state of disaster from the follies of previous owners, the 12 volt electrical system will be restored to a simlar state as to when new, with the basic electricals installed. I am guilty of a love affair with oil lamps and so with that affection, wonderfully smoking, smelly oil lamps adorn the cabin on the ready. I estimate that with my efforts in weight reduction I am about 800 pounds lighter than an empty 'stock Triton' and about 1300 lbs less than average currently commissioned Triton sailing today. Now the weight issue comes into play. The average or above average commissioned Triton (Tim, Mike, Britton, the list goes on . . . ) is not much 'slower' if any than mine even with all of my efforts - BUT - a lighter boat of the same design will be able to reach it's designed "speed" faster than that of boat with more weight to move. So with every little shift, puff and lift the lighter boat "appears" to be excellerating away. This thing of "excellerating away" has captivated my attentions to the point of consumption where I have for now dedicated my lifes work and ambitions towards facillitating this strange and wonderful spectical of the physical world. Yes, childishly simplistic one end of the philisophiccal spectrum but amazing complex and in a constant state of untangable flux on the other. Applying this to our beloved Tritons is a haven for the fan of the underdog. So if it ever comes to cruising together - I will first be in the company of giants. I will not at all be uncomfortable or suffer from my yachts "slim fast" program. I will do some quirky things - that will amuse you all - but from a boat lengths distance I am just another Triton staying the course of our place in history