Preventing Anchor from Deploying

[Brian Johnson]

Hello all,
I am loking for a better method to keep my anchor on deck. I have a CD 26 with a CQR 25 lb anchor on the stem. Currently, the anchor is tied to the bow pulpit which keeps the anchor snug against the roller. I would prefer not to drill any holes in the deck, but I am looking for a better method which is both secure and easy to deploy. How are other peoples anchors kept on deck?? On my boat, the anchor chain is led to a pipe in the deck which connects to the line locker forward of the v-berth. Thanks in advance.
Brian



karaandbrianjohnson@hotmail.com

[Chris Scheck]

The anchor on our CD33 rests on the bowsprit. (Is that the same thing people refer to as a bow pulpit?) Anyway, I used to pull the anchor chain back to one of the bow cleats and wrap the chain around the cleat a few times. That was fine until someone unwrapped the chain (to retie the mooring line, I suppose) and forgot to secure the chain again. Eventually, the anchor bounced off the bow roller, but DID NOT go straight to the bottom! Tragically, it hung just a few inches below the toe rail and spent a week swinging back and forth like a deranged pendulum stabbing the hull. After all that gelcoat was repaired, I needed a fail-safe, fool-proof method of securing the anchor. West Marine has an anchor chain snubber which is a sort of lever-action, turnbuckle-type device which hooks onto the chain and holds it really tight. But it does require drilling mounting holes in the deck, which is something I hate to do. My solution is very simple, requires no drilling, and cost less than a buck. First, I tied some strong, woven nylon cord (about 1/8" diam) thru a slot on the bow pulpit. After the anchor is in place, I tie the cord around the shank of the anchor. That's enough to keep the anchor from jumping off the roller and going over the side if the boat bounces while it's on the mooring. For backup, I was considering the West Marine gizmo but it seemed like overkill. Finally, I hit on a simple solution. I got a 6" bungee with a big hook on each end. I hook one end to the anchor chain and hook the other end to the bottom of the jibstay for the club jib. It isn't strong enough to support the whole weight of the anchor, but that's not necessary. You just want to restrain the anchor from popping forward off the anchor roller if a wave bounces the boat. Two years and I haven't had a problem.



cscheck@aol.com

[Jack Chamberlain]

We have a CQR 25 on the bow roller. The shank rests in a U-shaped piece of metal on teak block, and is tied down there. As extra precaution, I tied a light line to the bow pulpit with a hook on the other end that snaps shut. I just hook the hook to the anchor shackle, where the chain attatches. Anchor can move foreward about half an inch, but in three years it has worked fine. Already had a snaphook and line, so didn't have to buy a thing -- for a change!



jchamber@crosslink.net

[Dana]

[img]http://members.aol.com/darenius/CapeDory/anchor.jpg[/img]
darenius@aol.com

[Brian Johnson]

Thanks,
A picture is worth a thousand words. Sure looks great on your boat.
Brian



karaandbrianjohnson@hotmail.com