Why Was the Kedging Anchor Used?
According to the 1904 seamanship manual of the Royal Navy, kedging is described as the ability to maneuver massive engineless ships around harbors or narrow tidal river entrances. As described in the manual, sailors would make their way out in longboats and row out the kedging anchor in the direction they wanted the ship to go. This kedging anchor would then be dropped in the water when the cable ran out and go back to the boat and use a capstan for pulling the ship up to the dropped anchor.
As you can imagine, this was a grueling and time-consuming process, which had to be done because it was the only option available at the time. But the kedging anchor worked every time. With advancements in modern technologies and safety features used in yachts today, many people don’t have to use this traditional technique to get out of a sticky situation in the water. However, the art of kedging is extremely useful for any avid boating or yachting enthusiasts because it could one day save your boat.
While kedging is an easy technique that is mostly used by experienced boaters, there are quite a few steps that you are required to do right for it to work. Luckily, using a kedging anchor can become second nature with patience and the right amount of practice.
Tips to Set the Kedge Anchor
A kedge is not only a secondary anchor; it is a lightweight anchor as well. In fact, small kedge anchors are considered to be easier to manage in a dinghy. Also, unlike regular anchoring, kedging works more on scope and is more efficient when used with a long line. However, since kedging is used in a variety of ways, it is best to first get familiar with the various uses of the kedging anchor.
Using a Kedging Anchor from a Yacht
It is essential to use a kedging anchor that is one level lower as compared to the bower. The ideal size of the kedge depends mainly on the size of the boat and the holding power required. The yacht should always be moved to the best position to set the kedge after you have first checked and set the bower to windward. You will need to run the bower rode to nearly two times its set length for the fore and aft settings before being hauled to its previous length.
Laying the Kedging Anchor
When using a kedging anchor on a yacht, you can lay the kedge in two ways. Boaters usually do this either from a dingy or directly from the yacht. It is crucial to make sure that the warp is hauled in quickly while the anchor is down in order to set it correctly. Safety is one of the biggest concerns when using this technique, which is why you need to factor in the other boats that are in close vicinity, mainly because the chances of collision increase if the other boats that are close by have not been anchored. For instance, boaters who are using this technique need to be sure that they don’t swing into the other boats (or vice versa) if the direction of the wind changes quickly.
Another common problem faced by boating enthusiasts who look to use the kedging anchor is that the flat anchors tend to get fouled with their own chain – as in, pulling sideways of reverse can cause the chain to get tangled up with the stock or flukes. This is why it is recommended to check whether the chain of the kedge anchor is not swinging sideways or in reverse before setting it in the water.
Also, as a rule of thumb, always make sure the anchor has been launched correctly and holding well. And that’s not the end of your problems. Another issue that beginners often complain about is that of chafing. A quick and easy solution is to use a split plastic tube and wrap it around the warp at any of the chafe points.
Stow the Warp
It goes without saying that the main requirement of using a kedging anchor is having it ready when needed. That’s because the kedge has to be set quickly for a sustained pull. One common sight on a yacht is the pushpit bucket which serves an important purpose. Both the kedging anchor and the warp must always be ready in case of emergencies. In the ideal situation, the anchor is either mounted on the stern or the pushpit. However, if it is stowed away in the stern locker, it is crucial to make sure that it is not overloaded.
While there are multiple methods of stowing the warp, one of the ways of doing this – which is also used by many experienced boaters – is to keep a compact locker just below the aft deck and have the warp go over the roller as it is fed through a sturdy hawse pipe. If you cannot use a pushpit due to space restraints, then a bag or bucket is another alternative. This will ensure that the kedging anchor and the warp are always ready when needed.
Recovering the Kedge Anchor
Similar to using a traditional large anchor, recovering the kedging anchor is pretty straightforward as well. All you need to do is pull along the warp if you are in a dingy or yacht and haul yourself back along the warp until you are directly above the kedging anchor. This is considered to be a good technique when it comes to recovering a kedging anchor mainly because hauling it upwards helps to break the kedging anchor’s hold at the bottom.
You will also not have to use a whole lot of force while pulling the kedging anchor upwards. That being said, recovering the kedge anchor requires a lot of practice to get it right. Regularly practicing on pulling the warp will make it easier to break it out and recover a kedging anchor.
