Anchor and Rode set up/Stow for Pre-86 C-22

[CloudDiver]

I'm on the fence about how to set up my anchor stowage and deployment. My 81/82 C-22 came with a Danforth hanging from Pulpit hangers. The Chain & Rope Rode was stored in the bow void below deck with a chromed brass oval deck pipe and cover.

Obviously the big problem with this set-up is that there in no drainage for the front area ahead of the V-berth. The moisture in there is the obvious source of the mold which is concentrated on the overhead of the V-berth and the delamination of the original Catalina plywood cover (yes, the GRP liner was sawn open behind the plywood to create access to the area.)

I have heard the concerns about drilling a drain into that area, primarily you don't want it to go into the bilge because you just end up with a stink problem. if you do, It needs its own overboard discharge. I'm also planning to use the CD anchor roller, so I want to keep that deck pipe although I'd like it to be a bit smaller than the current one which is huge.

So anyway, I'd like to hear from others with the older 22's (because I know the newer boats have dedicated anchor lockers right?).
How do you set up your anchor, deploy it, and stow the rode? Has anyone added drainage to the bow?

 

[RJD]

Here's my rig for my 84 Catalina 22. A small bag contains the chain portion of the anchor rode. The rope portion is coiled and secured to the pulpit with Velcro straps. Easy to drop and retrieve the anchor and lines hang dry afterwards. I decided to mount it on the side of the pulpit so I can get to it without getting tangled in my hank-on jib when I lower the sail for anchoring.

 

[watercolors II]

2 ideas

You need to build a sealed fiberglass box type storage compartment attached above the V-berth with a drainage hole in the bow lower than the floor of this box. A sealed door must be located somewhere in this box either in the cabin or the foredeck for access. You need to look at the 86’ model year to see how Catalina did this.

Or store the rode in a sealed container.

 

[CloudDiver]

Ideas so far....

I really like RJD's recommendation, the mesh bag. Since my Delta anchor will stow on the roller I just need the mesh bag for the chain and keep the rope portion faked and strap, wrapped. I'll close up the chain pipe hole and not even bother with putting anything wet in there from the deck level. Nothing wet = no chance of mold.

I appreciate Watercolors suggestion as well... It would be really nice to have deck access and store the rode on the spot. I can fabricate a shallow box from 1/4" plywood and glass/resin seal it, just big enough for the chain to loose pile in and the rope coiled on top. I'd run a drain below it but directly out above the water line, not in the bilge. My greatest concern with that method is not building the box or adding a drain, its making the right kind of deck access door that seals water-tight (or buying one, and its a small space).

 

[HillbillyWanderer]

I am very new to sailing but when I went to Pensacola this June for the BEER Cruise I bought a large storage bin and placed it under the v berth while under way and stored it in cockpit compartment while at anchor. Just before I got to where I was going to anchor I would go down below and open the hatch, all I needed to do then was reach down grab the anchor and throw it in. Not the best setup I am sure but worked good for me.

 

[CaptDon01]

On our first C-22,(1980 vintage), I used the same anchor mount RDJ shows in his photos. I didn't have the running lights on the front of the bow pulpit like he does, so my anchor and about 6' of chain sat in the front on the bow pulpit. The chain was draped over the danforth anchor and I had a heavy duty galvanized hook attached to the end of the chain. The end of the chain with the hook was fastened to the "U"-bolt on the bow. There was a spring on the hook's clip to keep it from falling off. The rode was stored in either a bucket or plastic dishpan in the hold after it dried, but a mesh bag would've been perfect! I did install a houser pipe on the deck and would feed the line down this into a bucket or dishpan on the "V" berth, but I soon discovered this was a pain in the butt!

When I was going to anchor I simply clipped the rode to the chain and off they went. I used this set-up for many years without any problems, but at that time all my sailing was in fresh water, but we spent many nights onboard and even with the current on the Mississippi River, we never had any problems with the hook on the end of the chain.

One thing that was handy, with the anchor mount up on the bow pulpit, I fabricated an aluminum mount that held a rubber "V" block, like we use to protect the bow on the trailer. I cut all the pieces and had a shop weld the aluminum pieces together for me. It fit nicely in the anchor mount, and would support the forward section of the mast while trailering,( I always like stuff that will serve a dual function).

The anchor locker on the "New Design" boats in 1986 was just one of the many improvements Catalina Yachts made on our beloved C-22's!

Don

 

[CloudDiver]

One of the problems is my Anchor & rode was purchased by the PO as a box deal, so the chain rode is WAY longer than it needs to be. I don't want to cut the chain shorter because there are plastic depth markers woven into the 3 strand line, so shortening the chain would ruin that nice feature. The rule of thumb I have always known is that your chain should be about 2/3 of your LOA, so 15 feet would be good. This 'kit' has a 30 Ft chain!
So this is my plan as of now;
Keep the Danforth w/ oversized rode/marked line as a back up anchor.
Still going to use the CD anchor roller.
Buy a Delta/Lewmar anchor and stow/launch from the CD roller.
Buy a 15 foot SS chain rode, splice to appropriate line rode, proab 150 ft.
Use the appropriate type of quick link to attach chain to anchor when launching.
Use RJD recommended mesh bag to stow chain rode, line portion faked and secured with Velcro strap. The mesh bag will be constructed like an envelope with HD velcro that opens up 100%, not just at top and bottom.

I will close up the chain pipe opening in the fore-deck. I won't store anything wet in there so no need for a drain. After recovering the anchor the chain rode goes in the mesh bag and hangs from pulpit to drip dry, along side the faked line portion. If have the fresh water to spare they can be rinsed. In a tub they will go and be stored wherever the weight is best distributed.

 

[RJD]

Here are a few more pictures of the anchor rig. The bag is from Home Depot. I sewed the Velcro straps to the bag myself - two horizontal and one vertical to hang from and secure to the pulpit. The zipper closes from top to bottom leaving a small gap at the bottom from which the chain protrudes. A carabineer secures the chain to the bag so it doesn't play out when the conditions get rough. No problems after two seasons on the Chesapeake, although the bag is sun-faded. I'm thinking of having a local shop make me a new one in sunbrella. Total cost was probably around $15.

 

[CloudDiver]

Thanks for the details and Pics... great set-up, great advice.

Here are a few more pictures of the anchor rig. The bag is from Home Depot. I sewed the Velcro straps to the bag myself - two horizontal and one vertical to hang from and secure to the pulpit. The zipper closes from top to bottom leaving a small gap at the bottom from which the chain protrudes. A carabineer secures the chain to the bag so it doesn't play out when the conditions get rough. No problems after two seasons on the Chesapeake, although the bag is sun-faded. I'm thinking of having a local shop make me a new one in sunbrella. Total cost was probably around $15.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

I second the idea of a separate container for the chain but I use a nested bucket instead. The center container keeps the rode from tangling while it plays out like a fishing reel. The chain fits in the center container and dries separated from the rode. Makes the whole thing easier to carry forward, dry, and stow.

It keeps the gear from turning to this...

 

[CaptDon01]

Check the sailboat hardware section on eBay. There is a guy that sells a lot of sunbrella canvas stuff very resonable. I've purchased hatch covers, tiller covers, head sail bags and a mainsail cover from him, can't remember his business name, but he always has all kinds of things listed.

Don