How do you anchor ???

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brianct12

Junior Member
Cfelton's post about Yes/No for the Bowrail -  prompted me to ask.   What technique does everyone use to anchor ??   I personally havent anchored much in my boating life ... until a few years ago when I started Blackfishing.  What I've been doing  .. is climbing out onto the deck to drop the anchor, set it, and tie off to the center cleat.  When leaving, climb out again and pull up anchor onto deck.   Kinda a pain  !!!  .... and ....the bowrail was VERY handy a few times when it was lumpy out !!   Mighta gone over without it.      Is there a better method ?

Also, just thought I would mention.  My boat came with a neat anchor storage method, I think.   There is a back-to-back passenger seat.  Mid-way on the seat, the anchor (Danforth style) has a few small receptacles screwed to the gunnel ?? side.  The anchor base snugly seats into the bottom receptacle and the top of the bar into the top receptacle.  A stretchy cable at the top keeps it in place.  The anchor rope stows neatly under the seat thru a canvas opening in the seat base.   If the boat wasnt covered -  I'd snap a photo.

ps .... 2007 BPS Fishing catalog came in the mail today. Not sure which one I like seeing in the mail better - BPS or Victorias Secret :)
 
What I do if alone is I have a rope from the bow eye to the inside of the boat.

I let my anchor out from the side of the boat, when hooked I make a loop and clip on to it.

Then let it go, this has me off the bow eye.

When ready I grab the line from the side pull back till I have the main line, unclip and pull it in.

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That was the old way, Now I have the pulpit and just let the spring off goes right down and i hook to bow cleat.

I have removed the rail and its no longer in the way, I just pull it right up and go.

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Now there is some one I know with a split rail, and if they ever get things straight and I get them, I will add that to the bow and have the best of both worlds!!
If not I will stay Rail less.
 
When Iam out in my v-20 and I need to anchor up ... I just sit in my front seat drop anchor , have a cold soda and fish..... ;D

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I just open the windshield, slide the hatch forward, uncleat the anchor chain and let it go. I use the ball to retrieve the anchor. That is one reason I like this hull, I never have to go out on the bow and stay on the same deck level for the whole process.

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always keep your line free of tangles (yea right)
 
I have a cuddy with no bowrail. I always keep the anchor ready to go, so I just toss it overboard and let it set itself. Retrieving it can be tricky on a heaving sea. I've added no slip strips to the foredeck to help keep from goin' MOB. For safetys sake, I'll do it up with a pulpit soon.
 
I have a pulpit arrangement like Phatdaddy's. I find anchoring very easy in any sea because I never walk up on my bow. I also removed the bow rail. Not just for aesthetics but because it was often in the way.
What I have is a 3/4 " piece of nice wood that is cut to fit the opening in the cuddy floor where there is a lip. What I do it use the space under it for storage and it fits snug enough to be a very strong almost one piece floor in the cuddy.
So when I want to anchor I slide the hatch all the way forward, walk up and the anchor release and line is right there, I don't have to bend over to pull it in either, that helps me a lot with my neck.
If you look at the area around your cuddy where the cushions would go, in the center there is a opening to step down to, some guys use it for a cooler some guys store a porta potti there. Just cut a good heavy piece of wood for it, drill a 1" hole in the end by the cuddy entrance and you can lift it right out when you need to. Leave it there and it has a lip all the way around the opening in the floor. When you have it in place it is easy to walk forward with the hatch open and do what you got to do.
Often I use it as a place for me to fish from when I am handling the boat and have fishermen in the back. A few times drifting thru inlets where I had to be at the helm and watch the rocks I would put the fisherman right there and he would cast to the rocks from the bow while I guided the boat. Frequently due to the standing waves etc. it would be a good stable place to cast from when it was just the two of us, I could see what was going on and it is very hard to fall out of a cuddy. Plus if I am fishing with a super model there I can slap her bottom once in awhile ;D
 
All of the suggestions above are good for dropping and hooking the anchor. I am considering installing a bow pulpit with a windlass to make dropping and hooking the anchor alot easier. Phatdaddy is spot on with his anchor ball (ring type) to pull the hook. It makes pulling the anchor very, very, easy. Almost effortless!! When pulling the hook, you power slowly forward at an angle to where the hook is set and the anchor ball slides down the anchor rode. The hook pulls loose and it just floats to the surface next to the ball. No effort at all. The size of the ball is determined by the weight of the anchor. The only problem with this setup is stowing the ball however a v20 with 13 to 20 lb hook doesn't require a huge ball. I am going to try a 10"x 28" fender instead of the ball to save some space. I will post the results when I am back in the water. Check in at the following website for a better explanation of an anchor ball than mine. They have a video that explains how easy it is and I can vouch for the video. I don't work for Ironwood Pacific or sell their products!

www.ironwoodpacific.com
 
I bought a ball and ring like 2 years ago, But with all that has happened w/ motors and stuff, I have not even tried it out yet :-/

But I will this up coming season!

The new pulpit worked great!! When I had to let it out while waiting for a tow :'(
 
No can do right now Hammer Man. Boat is put away and tarped up and all tied down :-[
It is the same set up as pictured above, with the addition of the aforementioned wood to fit the top of the cuddy well area. In other words I can walk forward once I open my door to enter the cuddy as if it is a solid floor inside the cuddy and stand there and anchor or whatever.
 
I climb out there like a ninja and feed the rope under the rail. I usually hang out there for a few minutes until I'm sure the anchor has set. I retrieve it the same way.
 
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