Grand Banks 49 Classic User manual
Dream Catcher
A 49’ Grand Banks Classic
Operang Manual
Edion of July 10, 2015
Copyrighted. See noce next page
Sect
ion
Contents
1
& General
Des
cr
on
2
Important Vessel Numbers
3
4
5
6
7
Index
2| DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
Warning!
This noce is a part of this manual, and is placed here to warn you as an owner, crew member or passenger
on this vessel that the author of this manual assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions herein,
and represents only that the wrings and illustraons herein represent his “best eorts” to provide a
comprehensive overview of the vessel, so that it can be operated by a person who has the necessary
experience and/or training to operate such a vessel given the addional informaon herein.
You should be aware that this operang manual is provided as a convenience to the owner(s), crew members
and passengers on this vessel, and is not complete in every detail. Given the complexity of this boat and
its systems, there is no way that all condions, conngencies, and operang details can be covered, both
because of space limitaons and because of ordinary oversight as conngencies are speculated upon by the
author. Likewise, it is possible either through oversight and/or changes in the vessel as a result of addions,
modicaons, or deleons to or of equipment since publicaon of this manual, that items discussed will
operate dierently than described, be absent from the vessel, or be added to the vessel without discussion in
this volume.
As a vessel owner, crew member or passenger on this vessel, you are here at your own risk, and the author of
this manual has no responsibility for your acons whatsoever. If you do not feel competent to undertake any or
all operaons detailed herein, do not undertake it/them; get help from a competent person.
I thank you, (and my lawyer thanks you.)
Joseph D. Coons
Copyright 2011 Joseph D. Coons
This manual was wrien for this boat’s owner and it’s charter company by Joseph D. Coons, 1220
Birch Falls Drive, Bellingham, WA 98229, tel (360) 647-0288. All rights reserved. This manual may not be quoted, copied,
or duplicated, in whole or in part, in printed or electronic form, without express wrien consent from the author.
About the Author
Joe Coons is a rered AM-FM broadcasng staon owner and computer systems corporate execuve who throughout his
life was involved in communicaons and mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems. He cruised his own boat on the
Hudson River and Lake Champlain when a teen and in his early twenes, and during the 70’s and 80’s accumulated some
2,500 hours as an instrument-rated private pilot. Beginning in 1986 he became seriously involved in boang as a boat
owner, subsequently working in a “rerement career” as a broker, also commissioning vessels, operang a charter eet,
checking out boat charterers, and training new power boaters. He has held a 50-ton Coast Guard Master’s license, and
operated his own boats and a substanal number of others from 26 to 70 feet in the near-coastal waters of Washington
State, Brish Columbia, and Alaska. His “helm me” exceeds 8,000 hours. In addion, he has trained hundreds of boaters
in the skills of vessel operaon.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 3
This manual is intended to introduce you to “Dream Catcher”, its systems, and features, allowing you to operate it with
the condence and self-assurance necessary to enjoy your cruising vacaon to its fullest. It is not intended to replace
a basic understanding of seamanship, including navigaon skills, weather interpretaon or boat handling. You are
expected to have an understanding of these subjects obtained through other sources, including training, seminars,
reading and perhaps most important, experience.
There is no way that a small manual like this one can answer every queson or give you a soluon to every circumstance,
foreseen or unforeseen. If you have a queson which limits your understanding or handling of this vessel, ask the owner,
a specialist, or contact the Jet- Tern Marine/Grand Banks company oces for details (you might make a list of quesons
as you read the manual, saving them all up to ask at one me).
The manual is divided into six secons numbered “1” to “6” plus an index (Secon 7). Within each secon are
subsecons leered “A” to “Z” as required.
In secon 4, which deals with the specic informaon about the vessel’s equipment and systems, the manual is
organized by major categories, such as “Anchor”, “Dinghy, Davit & Outboard”, “Fresh Water System”, etc.
Note that within “Electrical Systems” are the “AC Electrical System” and “DC Electrical System” as sub-categories,
and within them are such items that are a part of each, such as “Inverter”, “Generator”, etc.; Likewise, all electronic
equipment is in the “Electronics” secon.
A complete index is at the back of the manual in Secon 7.
4| DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
The Grand Banks 49’ Classic is a tradional yacht
design, with berglass hull, cabin, and ybridge
structures, a teak swim step, teak decks, gunwale
caps, and teak and stainless steel welded ngs and
handrails. The windows, for the most part, are sliding
glass panes. Of parcular note are the easy walk-
around decks, enabling safe, secure passage about
the boat by the crew. There is a roomy cockpit secon
with ample storage in the lazaree beneath, and on
the side decks are the two fuel lls, the water tank ll,
and the two waste pumpout locaons.
Forward on the bow deck is the anchor windlass with
foot switches allowing chain movement both ”up”
and ”down” electrically. The anchor is retracted into
the bow pulpit, which hangs out over the bow to
give good chain clearance from the hull; this pulpit
is strong and braced, easily supporng not only the
anchor during hauling, but also an aending crew
member if necessary. Aer passing over the winch,
the chain goes below decks into the chain locker.
There are shore power connecons at the stern and
bow with adjacent fuse holders. A shore power switch
in the electric panel selects these. (When this cable is
to be disconnected, the switch should rst be turned
OFF to avoid arcing, which could damage the plug
contacts.) The boat’s 50-amp shore power cable is 50
feet long; an extra 30-amp cable is also supplied.
A bow locker stores the anchor bridle, windlass emergency handle, and spare lines.
A poron of the cockpit.
The anchor windless on the bow.
Shore power cable is connected.
Looking in the Lazaree.
Walk-around decks.
Stern shore power inlets.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 5
The a cabin supports the dinghy on the starboard side.
Tie-down straps hold the dinghy in place. The dinghy is lied
with an electric hoist from a strong davit with a windlass c
ontrolled by a plug-in remote control.
Up ve steps from the deck is the ybridge, with seang for
crew and passengers in two tandem seats, each seang four
passengers (for a total of eight); both have storage beneath.
Within the port storage compartment is the galley propane
tank and spare tank. To starboard, you will nd extra life
jackets.
Forward is a console holding atop it the ybridge electronics
and within it, substanal storage for canvas, and/or seat
cushions to port, and the upper helm staon to starboard.
In addion to instruments and controls, the console has a
sliding door revealing more electronics, including a large
fold-out radar console. On the a end of the ybridge to
port is a large Igloo cooler for extra iced storage.
The ybridge console has a full complement of instruments
including navigaon, communicaons, and engine controls.
The a cabin top with the dinghy, its motor. Noce the lifering.
Looking to starboard on the ybridge. Above the wheel are the engine
controls, compass, and to the wheel’s right are engine switches, etc.
To port, tandem seang for passengers and access to the
storage area under the console.
The control console has helm and engine instrument to starboard,
depth sounder, sh nder, and Navnet displays above,
and theVHF radio, large radar (white panel ps out), autopilot
control, hailer and heang controls behind a sliding door.
6| DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
The boat is entered by side doors, port or starboard. These
doors are ed with deadbolt locks, and in addion have
stainless catches axed to the cabin sides to hold them
open. The ”hold-open catches” should be engaged manually,
not just by ”slamming the doors open” to avoid damage to
the catches by bending, or the doors by banging. The doors
should be closed when underway except at very low speeds
in calm waters to avoid geng salt water inside.
Forward of the starboard door is the helm staon with
electric switch panels adjacent on the starboard side,
electronics panel above with warning lights, windshield
wiper switches, speed log and depth sounder, etc. On the
helm is the ship’s radar; computer with Coastal Navigator
plong and wireless mouse; NavNet display, etc. [Note:
Storage for charts is in the plasc tubs in master stateroom
port side hanging locker; chart books, de tables and sailing
direcons are in the chart drawer under the port side on the
Master Stateroom berth.]
Looking forward to starboard in the salon.
Salon, a to starboard. Note large table with fold-up
leaves seang six.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 7
A of the helm is a cabinet with a dry
bar, drawer, locker, and an icemaker.
The locker to right of the icemaker
holds the ares, rst aid kit, spotlight
(with charging adapter) and davit
control cable.
Please feel free to use what you need
from this rst aid kit. It is on the honor
system. If you need it, use it. If you
deplete an item’s supply, please make
sure you replace it or nofy us at the
end of the cruise so we can replace it
for the next me it is required.
Further a to starboard in the salon is
a large L-seee [picture on preceding page] with a table in front that has leaves
allowing it to easily seat six for meals. At the a end of the seee to midships,
a cabinet holds the stereo AM-FM radio and entertainment supplies.
To port a in the salon are the doorway to the Master Stateroom; a storage
cabinet; the port-side entry door; a cabinet with numerous drawers and shelves
for galley items, the TV and DVD/CD player; and the back side of the galley “L”’s
cabinets. The a salon cabinet. The davit cable
is stored in one of the drawers.
Forward face of cabinet just a of the salon
helm. Note icemaker, cabinets and drawers.
Wine cabinet is in the top.
Port a of salon. (TV & DVD are
now located here.)
A helm cabinet stores various manuals,
navigaon tools, and other items
needed by skippers and navigators.
A look at the lower helm staon.
8| DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
Forward of the port-side salon cabinet and seee is the
galley. The galley has an propane stove/oven, a large
stainless sink; a deepfreeze, a refrigerator; and a large
microwave.
There is extensive storage under and over the galley
counters, and addional storage is under hatches in the #2
guest stateroom hold under
the cabin oor. The compartment under the counter
beneath the windshield on the port side forward of the
stove is for dish storage. The under-seat cabinets on the
ybridge also can be used for food if desired.
Galley: Fridge to le of drawers; deep freeze access
is in le ell of counter or back side.
This enre surface to right of the stove lis for copious galley storage!
Upper galley cabinets.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 9
Both the forward and a cabins are down several steps
below the salon. The VIP Guest and
#2 Guest cabins and head compartment are forward, while
the Master Stateroom and its head compartment is a.
The a (master) stateroom is down a few steps in the a end
of the salon.
This master stateroom features a queen-sized island
berth, beneath which are drawers including a spacious
and ecient chart drawer. To each side of the berth are
tables with cabinets beneath, as well as storage lining the
vessel’s exterior walls on each side. A vanity/desk is a
to port beneath the emergency exit hatch. There is a re
exnguisher and ashlight mounted above the port cabinets
by the hanging locker.
Forward to port in the a cabin is a huge hanging locker for
clothing.
Forward to starboard in this stateroom is a head
compartment with toilet and level indicator for the starboard
holding tank, a sink/vanity, numerous cabinets and drawers,
and the stall shower. There are switches to turn the fan
on for the heang system for the outlets in the head and
shower, as well as switches for the shower drain* and
electric head. You will also nd ample storage space for your
toiletries and extra towels, etc. in the head.
* The shower drain switch also supplies DC power to a
special accessory keel bilge pump (rarely needs to be used)
that has a switch under the engine room hatch shown in
secon 1B4. This switch should be “o” at all mes; operate
only with specic instrucons from NWE!
Master stateroom, looking a to starboard.
Master S/R, looking a to port. Note emergency hatch above bed
table. Note drawers on both sides of the berth and corner desk!
An emergency ladder is in the
“drawer” under the hatch.
This view shows, to right,
the hanging locker doors.
Across from the sink is a
roomy shower compartment.
Far right: Peeking into
the head compartment.
10 | DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
All the way forward, the bow
guest stateroom includes
two large V-berths. Storage
includes plenty of drawers,
cabinets and hanging locker
space for crew clothing. A
large overhead hatch and side
opening windows provide
plenty of light and venlaon
in this spacious cabin. When
rst geng acquainted with
the boat, take the me to put
the ladder that’s behind the
door in place so you can see
how to use the overhead hatch
as an exit. Also note the re
exnguisher and ashlight beside the hanging locker.
Guest Stateroom #2
The starboard guest cabin, down the steps and just forward of the lower helm
staon (just a of the VIP guest stateroom) has two single berths, with a hanging
locker between. There are drawers beneath each berth.
Windows as well as a large overhead hatch provide lots of light in this cabin.
In the oor between the berths there is a storage compartment with a drain sump
for the washing machine.
Moving a from the forward stateroom to port is the forward head compartment
with its own stall shower, electric head, tank level indicator for the forward holding
tank, and a basin with vanity; we like to leave the hatch open slightly all the me
when not underway for venlaon. You will also nd the switches for the electric
head and drain pumps by the sink. If you have a cool morning, be sure to turn the
fan switch on as heat will be provided if the furnace main switch is on and any
thermostat calls for heat.
The sumptuous forward V-Berth has a cushioned
insert to make it queen-sized plus.
A chest of drawers is to
stbd ohe V-Berth; a
hanging locker is to port.
This view of one of the #2 Stateroom
guest berths also shows the edge of the
roomy hanging locker.
A look inside the guest head. There is a
shower compartment here as well.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 11
Preferred access to the engine room is through
either the oor hatch by the helm seat in the
salon leading directly to the Engine Room, or
by going forward and liing the stairs at the
a end of the companionway, which will lead
you through the ulity room rst. AC and DC
breakers in the ship’s power panels turn on the
lighng for both; with the AC breaker on, the
AC lights are controlled by a switch under the
forward, starboard corner of the hatch. The
rooms have full stand-up height to access all
engines and systems.
Note: If you are going to be in the engine room a long me, use the under-stair
access and leave the hatch down to prevent falling in!
Assuming you enter from the companionway, you will pass through the Ulity Room.
To starboard is a small sink, then the Washer and Dryer. On the opposite wall there is
a cabinet for supply storage. On the a wall a door leads to the engine room.
In the engine room, as you proceed a, you
will see the forward bulkhead ladder from the
salon hatch with an AC outlet immediately to
starboard of it; a handheld re exnguisher, and
the wiring interconnecon panel, under which
is the horn air compressor and a connecon
for an air hose (stored in the 20kw generator
compartment). On the wall is the starboard
engine’s coolant expansion tank, and below
it are that engine’s seawater strainer. Moving
a from the wiring panel are “black boxes” for
the electronics, the dinghy davit main switch (normally “ON”) and then the boat’s
NewMar baery charger. Mounted on the oor outboard of the engine is the 8KW,
rst of two, Westerbeke generator; just above and a of is an air condioning air
handler.
On the a bulkhead of the engine room, to starboard, is the sight tube showing the
fuel level in the starboard tank, and by it, and engine room exhaust fan. Just inboard
of these is the “room” that houses the 20KW, second, Westerbeke Generator and the two small baeries, one each used
to start each Westerbeke.
Below the generator room is a worktable, and below it are the fuel manifold and a number of thru-hulls/sea strainers
for the air condioning cooling water, the generators’ cooling; and salt water wash-down water. A large electric pump
provides air condioning water. Mounted on the bulkhead itself are several baery main on-o switches for the starng
and propulsion baeries, all clearly marked. Also on the wall under the table is the fuel manifold.
The salon oor engine room hatch.
Note strap to hold it open. You may
prefer entering by the forward stairs.
Looking down the E/R
companionway steps
The hand-washing sink.
The electric washer in the Ulity Room.
12 | DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
At the a end of each engine is its transmission, with
the shas exing the hull through PSS dripless sha seals.
Morse control cables control the reverse gears. Alongside
and inboard of each engine are the primary fuel lters.
(Each engine has a secondary fuel lter, and lubricang oil
lters, mounted directly upon it.)
A of the port engine, a switch labeled “PARALLEL” is
used only in the event a start baery is dead (it combines
starng and house baeries, and should very seldom, if
ever, be needed. Be sure to start a generator and have the
chargers and inverter running rst before turning it on! As
soon as the engine starts, return the switch to “OFF”.
On the port hull side shelf are the refrigeraon and air
condioning compressors, the Invertor with a baery
disconnect immediately below it, and the McCarron charger. Beneath the shelf the large red tank is the heang system
expansion tank. Forward of these are another outlet, the heang system circulang water manifold and valves, and the
furnace itself alongside the Ulity Room wall.
Forward of the port engine is its coolant expansion tank, its sea strainer/thru hull, and the built-in engine re
exnguishing system. A hose with fresh water faucet aached is also here.
The boat is equipped with a
10 foot-6 inch Achilles tender
which is a rigid-Hull, inatable-
pontoon boat and is ed with
a Yamaha 15hp four-cycle
electric start outboard motor
and portable fuel tank.
The boat has mooring lines (extra are in the box locker); a stern/shore
line at least 300’ long in the lazaree; main anchor with all-chain rode on
the bow pulpit; emergency anchor with chain & line rode in the lazaree;
fenders/bumpers; a hose for fresh water tank lling and boat washing in the
lazaree; and a boat hook stored on the side rail.
Another view of Dreamcatcher’s dinghy.
The bow locker. The stainless loops on
each side hold fenders when underway.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 13
The boat has a teak swim step at its a end. This step is ed with a sturdy,
rugged swim ladder. To lower the ladder (which slides up and down), slide it
up, swing the retaining lever out of the way, then lower it carefully. To raise the
ladder, li it unl it is high enough for the latching posts to clear its catches, and
swing it back under the posts.
Anchors
There is a permanently-rigged anchor on the bow pulpit and a spare anchor with
an anchor rode in the lazaree
Handheld units are in the forward and a stateroom, by the starboard salon door,
and in the engine room. There is an automac xed system in the engine room,
also ed with a remote control on the a face of the cabinet adjacent to the
port salon door to the side deck.
First Aid Kit
It is in the salon in the cabinet to right of the ice maker.
Another is with common rst aid items is in a tool-box
type container in the midships cabin.
Flares
In the salon in the cabinet to right of the ice maker.
There are life vests in the cabin hanging lockers and
under the ybridge starboard seat.
Dream Catcher is ed with an emergency life ra. It is housed in a canister on the sun
deck adjacent to the steps from the side deck.
Two electric automac (controls in the upper DC breaker panel) plus one manual in the
salon.
There are VHF’s at each helm staon, plus two handheld VHF’s.
Operang manuals for the electronics are in the starboard cabinet above the lower
helm staon; technical and detailed operang manuals for the rest of the ship’s equipment are in plasc tubs in the
lower cabinets to starboard in the Master Stateroom.
Swim ladder. Arrow points to
latching mechanism.
Engine room exnguisher
remote acvaon control.
Salon re exnguisher.
Emergency Life Ra
14 | DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
Vessel Name Dream Catcher
699247 (This number is on the side of the hull in the port lazaree.)
GNDE0058H5H5
Sleeps six: Two in each stateroom
Fuel: 1000 Gallons in two 500 gallon tanks
Fresh water: 500 Gallons in two tanks
Holding Tank: 70 Gallons in two tanks
Dimensions
Length Waterline: 48 feet 9 inches
Length Overall: 50 feet 6 inches
Beam: 15 Feet 5 Inches
Dra: 5 Feet 1 inches
Displacement: Est. 71,000 pounds full load
Fluids
Motor Fuel: #2 Diesel
Motor Oil, mains: 15W-40 Chevron Delo Mulgrade
Transmission Oil: 30-weight Chevron Delo
Engine Coolant: 50-50 mix, ethylene glycol & water; corrosion inhibitor added
Speed
1200 6.0 Knots 3.5 GPH 1.72
1500 7.5 5.0 GPH 1.50
1800 10.0 8.5 GPH 1.17
2000 10.5 12.0 GPH .88
2400 11.5 16.5 GPH .70
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 15
• Check engine oil, coolant.
• Check under-engine oil pads. Okay?
• Check fuel tank levels
• Check holding tank indicators. Need pumping?
• Turn o anchor light if illuminated.
• All lines clear of propeller and on deck.
• Items running on AC evaluated vis-a-vis the Inverter and Generator (page 28).
• Baery selector switch remains “On”
• Throles at idle, shi levers in “neutral”
• Appropriate DC breakers (including Engine “Stop”) “On”.
• Engine breakers “On” in turn
• Push start buons in turn
• If an engine does not turn over, see “What to Do If”.
• Shore power switch “O”.
• Shore power cord removed, stowed on board.
• Step stool aboard, if used.
• Fenders hauled aboard and stowed.
• Lines and other deck gear secure/stowed.
• Doors and hatches, acrylic panels closed and secured as appropriate.
• Helmsperson on watch at all mes.
• Synchronizer “On”.
• RPMs under 1400 unl engines warm to 140°; RPM never to exceed 2400 RPM.
• Wake eects always in mind.
• Fenders out on appropriate side.
• Synchronizer “O”.
• Bow line OUTSIDE stanchions and bloused around toward midships.
• Engines dead slow.
• Mate ready to secure stern rst (in most circumstances).
16 | DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
• Lines secure, including spring lines.
• Step stool out, if needed.
• Water heater breaker o unl Inverter current seles (see “Inverters” below).
• Shore power cord connected, AC Power Selector to “Shore”, Shore Power Selector to power cord locaon.
• Shore power conrmed on meter, Inverter “On”.
• Electric use monitored for current capacity of shore facilies.
• Skipper puts starboard end of swim step, with mate on it, next to buoy.
• Mate loops 20’ or so line, such as bow line, through buoy ring.
• Mate holds two ends together, walks up side of boat to bow of boat.
• With buoy held close to bow, line secured to each bow cleat through hawsepipe.
• Anchor is lowered from pulpit while boat is backed up slowly away from anchor.
• When desired chain length out (4:1 or 5:1 scope), windlass is stopped.
• Engine reversed for “count of ve” unl chain pulls up virtually straight. Note: The boat is not held in reverse
against a taught anchor chain!
• Hold “Preheat” switch for 10-20 seconds, then while holding...
• Hold “Start” switch unl it starts (if it does not start, repeat “preheat” step)
• Connue holding the pre-heat switch for 2-3 seconds
• Check outside exhaust for water ow.
• Aer one minute for warmup, turn Generator Selector from “O” to “8KW” or “20KW” and the AC Power
Selector to “Gen”
• Stopping: Turn power selector from “Gen” to “O”, wait 1 minute for cool-down.
• Hold “Stop” switch unl stopped.
• Shore power “On”.
• Inverter “On”.
• If air cond. or dryer is to be used, you may need generator. Review page 28.
• Anchor light “On”.
• DC electrical items all “O” including radios, extra lights, etc.
• If at anchor or buoy, Inverter only “On” if necessary.
• Start a generator if necessary for baery charging or air condioning or dryer
• Inverter “On” if shore power available or generator running.
• Turn on heat if necessary.
• Go to top of this Dream Catcher checklist.
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 17
Because of its substanal weight, this boat is predictable! Take advantage of its momentum/inera: you will nd that if
you maneuver slowly and thoughully you can maintain control at all mes.
Before undertaking docking in a “ght” space, pracce with the boat in open but protected water to get the “feel” of the
boat. Don’t let the skipper’s ego get in the way of safe operaon, and remember, if the slip is too ght you can always
dock somewhere else! And don’t forget the boat’s overall length is over 50 feet! Operang from the ybridge is usually
best unl you are very familiar with the boat because of its much beer visibility.
You should usually dock “bow in”; remember, the stern is what is turned by the rudder or engines, so you should “point
the bow where you want it” when entering a slip, then swing the stern as necessary.
Remember, too, that the rudder is normally eecve only when the prop is going forward. Use the engines only to steer
in a harbor, not the rudders except when extreme wind condions require it.
Anchoring can be accomplished safely with a minimum of fuss if you are prepared. Or, if you are not ready, it can be
stressful and dangerous for you or the boat.
Before aempng to anchor, select an anchorage with a so boom such as sand, mud, or gravel, if possible. Look
at the charts and cruising guides for ps on good locaons. Then, choose the spot in the anchorage where you have
room to “swing” on the anchor without disturbing other boats. Remember, responsibility for leaving room goes to each
successive boat to arrive, for the rst boat has priority in the anchorage!
Here in the Northwest, because of the deep waters, all-chain rodes and small bays, we anchor a lile dierently than in
the Gulf of Mexico or Carribean, for example. First, except in severe weather we use anchor chain scopes of only 4-to-1
or 5-to-1. For example, in water that is 40 feet at low de in the typical anchorage, we might use 160 feet of chain unless
the weather was to be gale force or greater winds.
Second, because of the small bays and steep booms, we oen rig a shore line from the stern of the boat to shore. The
best example of this would be at Todd Inlet at Butchart Gardens: Here is a bay that can accommodate 8 - 10 boats, yet
it is only about 150’ wide and 200’ long! Boats aach their bows to the mooring buoys or, in a few cases, anchor; and
then their sterns are secured to rings provided in the steep clis overlooking the bay. Boats are thus perhaps only 15-20’
apart, side to side.
Third, boats oen will “ra” side by side in busy marinas, although this is not very common.
Fourth, courteous boaters will call vessels coming into busy bays and oer to let them ra to the same buoy, if signs on
the buoys do not limit usage to only one boat depending upon length.
Anchoring safely requires two persons, one at the helm maneuvering the boat and one on the bow operang the anchor.
Pung the bow of the boat over the spot where the anchor is to be placed aer checking the depth on the depth
sounder, the windlass foot-switches are used to lower the anchor slowly toward (but not onto) the boom, by watching
the chain markings. The chain is 400’ long, marked as follows:
10’
50’ 100’
150’ 200’
250’ 300’
350’ 375’
18 | DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
When the anchor is about to reach boom, the boat is backed away by pung the engines into reverse for 5 seconds:
eddies from the chain indicate moon. Resume lowering the anchor while driing backwards (watch the eddies and add
another burst or reverse if necessary!) unl the desired amount of chain is out. Stop paying out chain. Engage reverse
for ve seconds at a me unl the chain starts to pull straight o the bow toward the anchor. A straight chain indicates a
“set” anchor!
NEVER pull on the chain for more than ve seconds, and never at any engine RPM other than idle! Pung the boat’s
weight plus its horsepower on the chain forcefully even at idle will bend the anchor and/or damage the mooring
gear!
If while checking the set, the chain rumbles and clunks, and seems to release in bursts, it means you’re anchoring on
a rocky boom and the anchor is not holding. Be paent: it may not set on the rst try, and you’ll have to repeat the
process somemes to get a good “set”.
When a shore line is required, anchors are set 75 - 100 feet from shore, with the boat backing toward shore during
anchor-seng. The stern line is put around a tree, and brought back to the boat. During this process, be sure to keep
clear of rocks near the shore, and allow for our Northwest des, occasionally twelve feet, and somemes 20 feet when
further north! Check the present de, and high and low des before beginning anchoring: No sense anchoring in 15 feet
of water if you’re at the “top” of a 15 foot de!
To get to the shore, you will need to have a dinghy down, and then have your mate keep the boat’s stern toward shore
with short bursts of reverse gear. Somemes a helpful boater already anchored will help you by taking your line to shore
for you with his dinghy, a neat “good deed” that you might reciprocate. We’ve met some nice boaters this way!
The shore line is in the lazaree, and is long enough to usually allow taking it to a tree, around it, and back to the boat so
you don’t have to go ashore to une when leaving. With a crew member keeping the boat in posion, take the dinghy to
shore pulling the end of the shore line with you. Pass it around a tree, and pull it back to the boat if you can, since then
to get away in the morning all you have to do is release the bier end from the boat, and pull it aboard. Pull the line
ght, as long as you’ve got over 100’ total of line out: there is plenty of sag/stretch, and we want to keep the boat in its
area! If necessary, put a crab pot oat or fender on the line to warn others it’s there!
Here is a sketch of a properly anchored boat with a shore line (In this drawing, S=Scope, which should be at least 4 x DH,
the Depth at High Tide):
NW Exploraons DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL | 19
This secon of the operang manual will discuss each of the boat’s systems. The systems and major components
discussed are in alphabecal order as follows:
4A: Anchor & Ground Tackle
4B: Barbeque
4C: Bilge Blowers
4D: Bilge Pumps
4E: Dinghy, Davit & Outboard
4F: Electrical Systems, AC
4G: Electrical System, DC
4H: Electronics
4J: Engines, Synchronizer & Transmissions
4K: Fresh & Waste Water Systems
4L: Fuel System
4M: Furnace/Air Condioning
4N: Galley & Appliances
4P: Head Systems
4Q: Running Gear (Props, Shas, Syncronizer)
4R: Safety Equipment, Wipers, W/S Washer
4S: Sea Strainers & Thru Hulls
There is an anchor bridle stowed on the boat in the forward deck storage box. Use it when anchoring overnight, as it
accomplishes three goals:
• It takes the strain of the anchor o the windlass, pulpit, and pulpit pulley and directs it to the bow cleats which
are more suited to hold it;
• It reduces substanally the “chain noise” transmied to the occupants of the forward cabin;
• It allows the anchor rode to have a lower angle relave to the sea boom, thus increasing the anchor’s holding
power.
• Lower the anchor normally (see page 20) then, aer it is set,
• Hook the bridle on the chain just in front of the anchor pulpit bow roller;
• Then secure the bridle rope ends through the side-coaming hawse pipes, to the bow cleat on each side so the
bridle lines are equal in length and as long as possible;
• Last, operate the windlass to pay out anchor chain so the chain slacks and is supported by the bridle, the chain
forming a loop right in front of the boat’s bow.
If you wish, you can pay out addional chain to form a long hanging loop between the boat and bridle, which weights
the chain down in front of the boat well below its normal path; thus the chain itself becomes a “kellet” or “sennel”,
lowering the chain angle more than the bridle alone. The weight “drooping” the chain down like this then forms a an
even more eecve “snubber”, so the boat is gently held against the pressures if wind and de.
20 | DREAM CATCHER OPERATING MANUAL NW Exploraons
The anchor is forward on the bow pulpit, raised and lowered by the electric windlass. The chain goes then into the chain
locker through the chain pipe behind the chain wheel (“wildcat”). From here, the chain goes into a compartment just
forward of the bow locker.
Be careful when using ths equipment! If a crew member is operang the windlass keep ngers, hands, arms, etc. away
from the chain!
Use the foredeck foot switches, not the helm switch, so you can see where the chain is going and be sure it is clear of
the boat properly when raising or lowering the anchor!
The windlass does not force the anchor to lower, it only brakes its fall! If the chain jams while lowering anchor, it is
because one loop of the chain on top of the pile has fallen inside another loop of chain when the chain may have shied.
There is no way the chain can be tangled; do not ever need to disconnect it! One way to disentangle the chain is, while
wearing gloves, grasp the chain on the forward side of the windlass, and, while liing it above the wildcat manually,
rapidly yank it up and down. This will usually free it. If this “yanking” technique fails, look into the chain locker to un-
overlap the layers of chain in the pile.
The anchor is both raised and lowered by the windlass. The chain goes from the windlass below into the chain locker
through the chain pipe behind the chain wheel (“wildcat”).
It is a reality that anchor chains oen stack in a perfect cone when being hauled in, and the top of the cone then may
block the entry pipe (hawse pipe) so the full chain cannot be hauled. Therefore, it is a good thing when the cone-stack
falls over, so more can be put into the chain locker. You may have to send a crew member to the forward stateroom to
open the chain locker and actually knock the chain over as it is being brought in!
Be careful when dealing with the chain! Be especially careful to keep ngers, hands, arms, etc. away from the chain!
Use a windlass handle or broomsck to deal with the chain without ngers or hands near it or the windlass.
The chain is measured by marks on the chain. The markings are as follows:
10’
50’ 100’
150’ 200’
250’ 300’
350’ 375’
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