Is a "rodeless" keel possible?

[Joel L.]

Anyone have experience with adding a mushroomanchor to their anchor rode to prevent it from wrapping around the keel? If so, how far back from the anchor shank should it be fastened? I plan on buying a 10 lb mushroom...Thanks.

 

[DJ Dreyer]

'Shrooms

Had similar problem with my H34. I use an 8-lb. mushroom and a large 1/2" galvanized shackle. After anchoring normally, I shackle the mushroom around the rode and let it down the rode with a 1/4" line. I usually let out this anchor "sentinel" till it touches the bottom and then lift it about 1 foot. Never had a rode around the keel since. It also helps the anchor hold, minimizes sailing at anchor and lots of other good things. In very light winds (most of the summer in the Chesapeake Bay) and lower tides, the mushroom ends up holding the boat sometimes.Bought a bronze anchor rode rider that takes the place of the 1/2" shackle that will minimize chafe on my rode but never had a problem with the shackle and chafe. EnjoyDJ

 

[Mark Juetten]

Use It Too

Also using a 8lb shroom with success after a wrap incident. Usally keep it just short of the bottom on our 376

 

[Andy]

Chain me down

Do you have any chain in your anchor rode? We have about 6ft of chain on the rode and have not had any have keel wrapping that I recall. We do carry an extra 'shroom anchor and plan to use it as an additional rode weight in a blow. So far, haven't had to use it.

 

[Joel L.]

Mushroom comin' up

Many thanks for the ideas on preventing "rode wrap' while anchoring- we have about 8' of chain but have wrapped twice now and swimming to the keel to get the rode or anchor off is getting old...want to correct before cool weather arrives. Will try the "sentinal" line idea to lower a mushroom down the rode on a shackle. Thanks again gents.Joel Langdon