I want to add a stern anchor to my Hunter 25. The only purpose which I want to add it is to give me some security when I am heading in or out of the marina under power and my motor dies. I has happened a few times and when I am alone, I don't have time to go forward and deploy my anchor. Also, I don't like to leave the helm. I was thinking of adding a "quick deploy" anchor attached to the stern or reasonably close to the helm. Has anybody done this on a 25 or 26 Hunter or similar sized boat? What type of anchor? How big should I go? I don't know if a mushroom anchor would be better as it would be in the cockpit area and less sharp edges, etc compared to a Danforth.
Stern anchor
- Thread starter Barry14722
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On my C27 I always anchored off the stern
There wasn't a good place for the anchor and rode up forward, and the anchor sets well if you are going forward. No need to back down to set it. If you need to anchor by the bow later because of wind or waves, tie you bow line to the anchor rode and let it out. For an emergency stern anchor it's hard to beat a Danforth type. I don't like the Danforth for an overnight anchor because they often pull out with a tide or wind change. In a straight line for a short time Danforth is it. However, if it was me, I'd set up a big white bucket with the regular anchor gear, and keep it in a cockpit locker or in the cockpit with a lid on the bucket so it's an extra seat. I would anchor off the stern as a regular thing, and also in an emergency, with whatever your regular anchor is.
There wasn't a good place for the anchor and rode up forward, and the anchor sets well if you are going forward. No need to back down to set it. If you need to anchor by the bow later because of wind or waves, tie you bow line to the anchor rode and let it out. For an emergency stern anchor it's hard to beat a Danforth type. I don't like the Danforth for an overnight anchor because they often pull out with a tide or wind change. In a straight line for a short time Danforth is it. However, if it was me, I'd set up a big white bucket with the regular anchor gear, and keep it in a cockpit locker or in the cockpit with a lid on the bucket so it's an extra seat. I would anchor off the stern as a regular thing, and also in an emergency, with whatever your regular anchor is.
Barry, something every boat owner should know
is how far their boat "carries" when the propeller stops turning. You have more time than you may think to go forward and drop the hook. I do anchor from the stern but only to keep from swinging with the tide.
is how far their boat "carries" when the propeller stops turning. You have more time than you may think to go forward and drop the hook. I do anchor from the stern but only to keep from swinging with the tide.
I always use my Danforth off the bow for...
anchoring and have never had a problem. The only time I use anything off the stern is a shore tie where I need to keep the boat from swinging in tight quarters, but that is after I've set the Danforth. Terry
anchoring and have never had a problem. The only time I use anything off the stern is a shore tie where I need to keep the boat from swinging in tight quarters, but that is after I've set the Danforth. Terry
side mounted anchor
Hi Barry, I plan to pattern my anchor setup much like Bob Endicott did on his boat. He side mounts his anchors where he can deploy them from the cockpit. The rode is led outside of the stanchions to a block at the bow, then the rode travels back, through a couple of bullseye fairleads, back to the cockpit where it can be adjusted and cleated off. The rode comming back to the cockpit, is of course on the inside of the stanchions. I believe the anchor used forward is mounted on the port side, and the aft anchor on the starboard side. Of course both anchors could be deployed for a "Bahamian" anchor setup. You can retrieve the anchors, if needed, with your winches as well. I'm planning on mounting my danforth anchors with the Rail Mount Anchor Brackets. As far as the weight of the the anchor that you would need would depend on the style of anchor you choose. I would think a 14# danforth would serve you well. Hope this helps and take care, Jay
Hi Barry, I plan to pattern my anchor setup much like Bob Endicott did on his boat. He side mounts his anchors where he can deploy them from the cockpit. The rode is led outside of the stanchions to a block at the bow, then the rode travels back, through a couple of bullseye fairleads, back to the cockpit where it can be adjusted and cleated off. The rode comming back to the cockpit, is of course on the inside of the stanchions. I believe the anchor used forward is mounted on the port side, and the aft anchor on the starboard side. Of course both anchors could be deployed for a "Bahamian" anchor setup. You can retrieve the anchors, if needed, with your winches as well. I'm planning on mounting my danforth anchors with the Rail Mount Anchor Brackets. As far as the weight of the the anchor that you would need would depend on the style of anchor you choose. I would think a 14# danforth would serve you well. Hope this helps and take care, Jay
I carry a small ( 10# ) danforth anchor in a canvas bag that I use for a lunch hook or to control swing at night, I just keep it handy when Iam on the water, and it stow's easily below when not needed
BOW ANCHOR
On our 260 the anchor is a 14lb Lemar delta set on a Brm-2 bow roller with a length of chain inside a piece of flexible pvc tubing on deck then rope rode led back to the cockpit and into a locker. To deploy you uncleat and give a slight push on the tubing(the anchor almost self deploys) and away it goes .No need to leave the cockpit and your only 2 feet from the helm. As the anchor is an emergency device it makes sense to be able to deploy it quickly and positively were conditions of wind wave or time may make going forward and messing with it a problem. Coming in to our mooring the metal clip holding the shift control cable inside the cover on our Honda 9.9 feel off. No shifting. Wish I had this setup at that time.
On our 260 the anchor is a 14lb Lemar delta set on a Brm-2 bow roller with a length of chain inside a piece of flexible pvc tubing on deck then rope rode led back to the cockpit and into a locker. To deploy you uncleat and give a slight push on the tubing(the anchor almost self deploys) and away it goes .No need to leave the cockpit and your only 2 feet from the helm. As the anchor is an emergency device it makes sense to be able to deploy it quickly and positively were conditions of wind wave or time may make going forward and messing with it a problem. Coming in to our mooring the metal clip holding the shift control cable inside the cover on our Honda 9.9 feel off. No shifting. Wish I had this setup at that time.
Prop brake
Here's a little feature I almost wish didn't work: my 180cc merc has a 1 way clutch in the prop going forwards: if the engine stalls, the prop can freewheel and provide very little slowing force. Boat carries quite a ways- i could shift into reverse though!
Here's a little feature I almost wish didn't work: my 180cc merc has a 1 way clutch in the prop going forwards: if the engine stalls, the prop can freewheel and provide very little slowing force. Boat carries quite a ways- i could shift into reverse though!
A friend of mine...
... has a 1980 Hunter 25 and keeps a smallish Danforth (I guess 12 lbs)on chocks attached to the stern rail. He has a rode of about 75 ft of 3/8 in nylon attached to the shank and coiled on top of the anchor (no chain leader). He keeps it there for the same reason you mention: fear that his engine may quit (10 hp Honda OB)while in the tight channel that leads in/out of the marina. Fortunately, that has never happened... Looks like a nice setup to me.
... has a 1980 Hunter 25 and keeps a smallish Danforth (I guess 12 lbs)on chocks attached to the stern rail. He has a rode of about 75 ft of 3/8 in nylon attached to the shank and coiled on top of the anchor (no chain leader). He keeps it there for the same reason you mention: fear that his engine may quit (10 hp Honda OB)while in the tight channel that leads in/out of the marina. Fortunately, that has never happened... Looks like a nice setup to me.
Why not just bring the anchor aft?
Since your concern is for safety in case the motor stalls, why not just flake out enough rode on the foredeck for the water depth, tie it off, bring the anchor aft (with the rode led outside the lifeline stanchions) and leave it in the cockpit? If the motor stalls, drop the anchor overboard. The boat will carry some way, the rode on the foredeck will pay out and the anchor will fall to the bottom. As the anchor sets, the boat should stop itself and swing to. That's how I anchor single-handed, except I flake out a bit more rode than I need for the water depth. I sail (or motor) downwind on a broad reach and drop the anchor over the leeward side a little upwind of where I want it to rest (it needs time to fall to the bottom while the boat is still moving). Then I turn further downwind in a gentle arc so the rode doesn't foul the rudder. Time the turn so the rode starts to tighten just as the boat reaches dead downwind. Gybe gently to use the last of the boat's momentum to set the anchor without fouling the rudder. If done right, the boat will fetch up against the rode and turn up into the wind. At that point I can anchor more securely by backing down with the engine or tying the stern off to shore. But don't take my word for it, try it sometime. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Since your concern is for safety in case the motor stalls, why not just flake out enough rode on the foredeck for the water depth, tie it off, bring the anchor aft (with the rode led outside the lifeline stanchions) and leave it in the cockpit? If the motor stalls, drop the anchor overboard. The boat will carry some way, the rode on the foredeck will pay out and the anchor will fall to the bottom. As the anchor sets, the boat should stop itself and swing to. That's how I anchor single-handed, except I flake out a bit more rode than I need for the water depth. I sail (or motor) downwind on a broad reach and drop the anchor over the leeward side a little upwind of where I want it to rest (it needs time to fall to the bottom while the boat is still moving). Then I turn further downwind in a gentle arc so the rode doesn't foul the rudder. Time the turn so the rode starts to tighten just as the boat reaches dead downwind. Gybe gently to use the last of the boat's momentum to set the anchor without fouling the rudder. If done right, the boat will fetch up against the rode and turn up into the wind. At that point I can anchor more securely by backing down with the engine or tying the stern off to shore. But don't take my word for it, try it sometime. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Stu's Right ! ! !
Stu's right, fix the motor. A boat is not seaworthy unless All the gear is working. Would you use frayed / chaffed dock lines, halyards, Anchor rode, a cracked batten, and on and on? Mushroom anchors are a questionable design for the stated purpose. I wonder just how big a mushroom anchor would need to be to "stop" your boat? Would also suggest reading books on sailing. This forum is an excellent source of information, but after reading a few sailing books, you'll understand why I suggest it. Good luck, fair winds / following seas, John
Stu's right, fix the motor. A boat is not seaworthy unless All the gear is working. Would you use frayed / chaffed dock lines, halyards, Anchor rode, a cracked batten, and on and on? Mushroom anchors are a questionable design for the stated purpose. I wonder just how big a mushroom anchor would need to be to "stop" your boat? Would also suggest reading books on sailing. This forum is an excellent source of information, but after reading a few sailing books, you'll understand why I suggest it. Good luck, fair winds / following seas, John
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