Anchor watch - drop & default range

[dirkwa]

I think the step "set rode" is unnecessary and default should be at least 50m, 70m would be optimal (or last used setting).

[panaaj]

This is the process used by the anchor-alarn plugin.
Freeboard-SK is just honoring the process as it does with all functionality provided by plugins.

[dirkwa]

That shouldn't stop you from making good things even better and more user friendly 😉.

[sbender9]

I don't understand the problem. This is how the anchor alarm was designed and how I use it along with many others.

[dirkwa]

It is just a total unessceary step/click. In case I have the wrong position I can drag & drop the anchor chart.

Also 21m as default works only for small vessels in shallow water, that is not a real world default.

[sbender9]

Sounds like you are not using it as intended.

When you drop the anchor, the anchor position will be placed based on the length of your boat and the configured position of your gps. In theory, this should place it right at your bow. This is why you see it start out at 21m, because that is how far your bow is from the gps.

The idea is that when you really drop your anchor in the water, you drop it in freeboard. Then you let your rode out, once you've completed that, you click the set button. This will set the alarm radius based on how far you have moved from the anchor position.

[sbender9]

FYI @panaaj, there are other ways to set the alarm. One useful one is meant to be used after you've completed anchoring. In this case, you manually enter how much rode you have left out and then it estimates the location of the anchor based on that and your current heading.

[dirkwa]

OMG, I didn't even expected that the plugin has a so sophisticated logic :) as a "standard" user influenced from what I've learned from Raymarine or TZ. Nevertheless if I see my real-world experience after thousand nights at anchor it is very seldom that I would be able to follow the current procedure, due to external influences (heavy rain, unexpected mooring lines, "professionals" that put a buoy on the anchor you need to avoid, crew management, night arrivals, tight anchorages that need full attention). So mostly everything else is more important than focusing on the touch screen display and make sure that the buttons are pressed in the right moment in the right order. Real world is that until the bridle is set and the anchor holds with 1500rpm reverse I am even not sure that it is safe to stay overnight and I set the anchor watch after the maneuver. Maybe it's just me and all the others follow the manual step by step during the anchor maneuver. The @sbender9 Idea above would be best for me, but maybe just me.

[dirkwa]

I tried it today and was hoping that the slider would increase while I was backing up, but it was stuck at 17m.

My vote would be the easy approach as sbender said it would be possible.

At the end it is your decision what to do.

[panaaj]

Additional options will be made available:

1. Specify radius prior to drop
2. Specify rode length (manual set)

[sbender9]

I tried it today and was hoping that the slider would increase while I was backing up, but it was stuck at 17m.

My vote would be the easy approach as sbender said it would be possible.

At the end it is your decision what to do.

I think you must have hit the Set button too early? That slider does not show up until you hit the Set button, don't hit that until you are done anchoring.

[dirkwa]

Too complex for a old man 😂, seems I screwed it up even with the manual 🤣. Will try to try next time...