Anchoring ‘Minnow’ or any Paradox

The easiest way to set or weigh an anchor with a Paradox is to do it while standing in the cabin with the upper part of your body wedged in the hatchway. There you are safe and secure. Do not try going on the foredeck to anchor. It can be done, but I do not recommend it.

To anchor the boat you select the amount of warp and chain you require, and tie the warp to an eye that is permanently fixed to an anchor bridle. The latter is a line attached to both cleats at the bow, from where it passes along the starboard side deck, and it is made fast to the starboard aft cleat.

Having tied the warp to the eye, you lower the anchor, chain and the selected length of warp over the starboard side of the boat, taking care not to drop the chain on the anchor. As the boat drifts away, you pay out the bridle until it becomes taught by the pull of the warp. You are now anchored. Secure the tail end of the bridle to the aft cleat. Tidy any unused warp by flaking it into a bucket which can be lashed to the stern deck.

If you want to increase the length of the warp, first pull on the bridle until the eye is within reach. Undo the warp and payout more of it. When the required amount has been let out, tie the warp to the eye; ease the bridle until the warp and bridle take the strain.

To retrieve the anchor or shorten the warp, reverse the procedure.

When retrieving the anchor, you can safely lean over the side of the boat to clean off weed or mud by scrubbing things with a small brush while they are still in the water. A toilet brush is ideal for the job. As you haul in the warp and chain you flake them into a large bucket or waterproof plastic container. The whole lot, including the anchor is pushed forward on the cabin floor. By doing it this way, the cabin can be kept fairly clean. Later, if you want to do a better job, you can do it at your leisure.

PS

When you are hauling in the anchor, the boat usually stays broadside to the current or wind – sometimes from the starboard quarter. Take care not to get the warp trapped between the rudder and the transom.