Anchor Stowage?

[Jon6436]

My 22-ft. sailboat doesn't have an on-deck anchor well. What kind of elegant solution have you (if you have a similar situation) come up with for on-deck stowage of the anchor AND the rode to have all ready for handy deployment? What type/size of anchor? Is the rode all chain, all line, or a combo? Thanks.

 

[Steve]

Use the bow pulpit rail

I had a 21 foot sailboat and used a dandforth anchor that had 6 feet of chain and the rest line. I used the pulpit rail on the front to wedge the anchor into. The rode was neatly coiled and had a small line tied around it with a bow (to keep it from tangling and so I could deploy it quickly). I used a small bungee cord to hold it to the forward cleat.

 

[Dave]

I do the same thing Steve on my Macgregor 26D plus i added a roller and a guide.

 

[Warren]

Anchor

On my O'Day 22, I coil the chain and line in a plastic wash pan with the anchor on the top. I store the whole works in a seat cockpit locker.Its worked for 33 years!

 

[Reudi Ross]

You can get

a bracket to hang a danforth style anchor from the bow pulpit rail. That is what I use for my 2nd. anchor. Then coil the rode on the fordeck and bungee it to the bow pulpit. My rode has 10' of stainless chain so it doesn't rust or discolor the fordeck.

 

[Bob B.]

Brackets are available

that clamp onto the pulpit rail.My C22 sports a homemade SS anchor but the stowage solution is far from elegant! The Danforth style anchor should be hanging down but as you can see in the photo, the dock is too high (or the water level too low) & the anchor would hit the dock.The C22 has a hawsepipe so the rode is out of sight & I have a piece of chain that I can clip on if needed. The anchor needs to be kept away from the gib. I day sail only & hardly even use the anchor. If you single hand, another anchor at the stern could be handy.My solution is temporary. Maybe. Bob B.

 

[a poor old sailor]

Bruce's are clumsy

If you prefer to use a bruce style anchor, you can hook it around the base of the mast. Coil the rode and hook it to part of the claw, but keep it attached to a cleat. That way, when your engine konks out while the current is pushing you towards a bridge, it'll be only a few steps before your anchor is deployed. It's especially useful to run the rode through your bow chocks and outside, then over the life lines to the mast. Then, you can throw the anchor overboard from amidships.For the rode, I'd recommend a short length of chain and 1/2" twisted nylon. The 1/2" is probably strength overkill for your boat, but it is easier on your hands than smaller sizes. Going too large with the rode, negates the shock absorbing benefits of stretch, and could overload your cleats or pull your anchor out.

 

[David11054]

A bag in the lazarette

Both our bruce and our danforth are in light open weave bags we got at WM. We keep the danforth in the lazarette, and the bruce under a bench in the cabin. This is much better weight distribution than hanging either one or both on the bow. Anchoring means lugging the bag forward, fastening the bitter end to the foot of the mast, and lashing the anchor to the bow pulpit.The danforth is our lunch anchor, the bruce for overnight.Emergency deployment means the danforth deployed from the cockpit out of the lazarette. This is actually faster than going forward, and can be switched to the bow if needed after things are under control.DavidLady Lillie

 

[Rick Webb]

Double Bucket

I've used two bucket one inside the other with holes in the top one to drain into the other bucket. I like th mesh bag idea too keep that in a bucket and you can keep the water from making a mess.

 

[lugeman]

steve, dave ,

They are on the right track. bought the brackets at WM for $35??. work great for 4 years. Upgraded to my current hunter, now i use it for the stern anchor. I hung the bracket and anchor for a season but never touched them except to move them out of the way to wash(dam spiders anyway). If you even change boat don't get rid of the brackets, many other uses. pray for wind Lugeman

 

[Jon6436]

Thanks to all for the anchor stowage ideas.

Possibilites of testing the several solutions seem an easy game plan.