Securing anchor on bow roller

[ron]

On my Beneteau oceanis 370, I want to secure my Danforth anchor on the bow roller during sailing. I don't know how to do it properly.My bow roller has an unused left roller with a chrome removeable pin that is about two inches behind the roller. The bow roller right side is the side that is used, is a little wider than the left side. The anchor has about 10 feet of 3/8" chain then has 250 feet of 1/2" rode.Near the aft end of the roller assembly there is one unused threaded hole on each side of the roller; what those threads are for is beyond me. But, I am thinking that I could possibly but two proberly threaded eye bolts, screw them in, lay the anchor over the center of the roller area (that is between the two rollers), have the anchor shank go into the anchor well keeping the cover down, and tightly tie either a rope or use a strap to go from side to side and over the anchor.I have slight arthritis in my lower back, so even though we have a manual windlas, I want to try to be kind to my back after hauling up the anchor. Putting it into the anchor well and taking it back out is a strain I'd lioke to avoid if at all possible.I don't like the anchor holders that clamp to the bow rail as I'm concerned about the occasional sail wrap that happens when I make a mistake with the furler in windy conditions. That is, I don't want to rip my genoa.Comments? Ron

 

[Tim Leighton]

EASY FIX

Ron: First of all, you sail in one of my favorite parts of the whole world. Grew up in Brunswick and sailed all over Casco Bay as a kid, even chartered a 28' Sabre for my honeymoon back in '83. Unfortunately, military service has kept me away except for occasional family visits since then. Used to beach my O'Day 19' Mariner on Little Whaleboat isl for campouts and lobster bakes. OK, enough of my trip down memory lane. You are absolutely correct in thinking you need to secure your anchor (it really doesn't matter which type) with other than the anchor rode/chain. Puts too much strain on the windless. That pin on the anchor roller is really set for CQR type anchors, but even then the pin doesn't always line up with the hole found in those anchors' shanks. Unfortunately, the Danforth style anchor doesn't have a convenient place to run a line to provide additional security. You could have a hole cut in the "angle plate" of the anchor and run a snap hook and line back to a cleat or toerail. Or just take that same line/hook to the top of the shank (where the rode is attached) and run the line back to the strongpoint in your anchor well where the anchor line is tied off. Requires a bit of tying/untying every time you use the anchor, but will take the strain off the windless and provide more secure storage for your anchor. Enjoy sailing in Casco Bay this year! Try to get to Dolphin Marina for lunch/dinner and have their fish chowder...easily the best in the world!!Tim LeightonS/V "Magic"S. Chesapeake Bay

 

[John K Kudera]

Another Thought

I am not familiar with the anchor roller/anchor locker setup you have, however, on our Hunter 34, I attached a stainless steel "S" hook on the bitter end cleat in the anchor locker, after the anchor is retrieved, I slip the chain thru the hook,it stays secure and very easily unhooked when you anchor.Good luck!

 

[ron]

oooh! how about a variation

I like the idea of an S-hook tied to the bitter end but how about this instead? What if I take one of those rubber straps from the local hardware store that is stretchable and has two S-hooks, remove the S-hooks as they are not stainless, install 2 stainless ones, connect one end to the spot in the anchor well that holds the bitter end, stretch the other end to a tight fit on the anchor chain and have that be the solution???If doing the above, should I have a backup line tied to another spot in the case that the rubber line snaps???Ron

 

[ron]

running a line to toe rail

Thanks for your note! I'll look over the idea of putting a whole in the anchor plate and going to the toerail.Would drilling a hole in the anchor shank weaken the anchor so that such a hole is not a good idea???Yes, we used to store our boat at Dolphin Marine and used to eat that great fish chowda! Also, the rates for storage and for yard work used to be very favorable. Now the next generation of the family is in charge. Unfortuneatly we had several bad experiences with quality of work last year along with a change in terms over the use of our cradle (a long story) so we've now gone elsewhere. Too bad, really, as all the folks there are great folks, that is the next generation and their workers, they just bit into something they couldn't get done right and we're still in a mess. We had equated their great hearts (and they have them) with quality work. I'm sure they will learn, problem is our boat is still not right. Ron