Anchoring a 19' cuddy

[cntrydude]

Been getting the new to me 19' cuddy ready for this year, and one question I have....do you guys have any "tricks" for anchoring? The scenarios I envision are these.<br />1: Keep the anchor in the cabin and when ready to anchor, climb over stuff stored in the cabin and squirm up through the hatch with a 15 or 20 lb anchor......doesn't sound like fun.<br /><br />2: Keep anchor in cockpit, when ready to anchor, lower anchor over side and walk down 2" wide gunwale to tie off to bow.<br /><br />3: Mount some hardware on the bow to hold anchor in place, store line???? Maybe run line under hatch lid, but then hatch will remain partially open.<br /><br /> <br />I normally anchor in rivers and anchoring can be tricky. I am just wondering how others handle this.<br />Thanks!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Hi cntrydude, I'm lucky to have an anchor well on my bow. However I still have to climb down off the bridge, in through the cabin, out the forward berth hatch, stepping on the bedding and then pull the anchor out. Then climb back in messing up the bedding even more and then fish. Then it is the same process to haul the anchor back in.<br /><br />Sometimes I will slide down the front of the bridge and climb back up, but that still is a pain to do.<br /><br />When I leave dock and know I'm going to be anchoring, I hang my anchor over the edge so that it is not in the water. I tie a slip knot with a small line to the anchor rope. I then have the small line going up to the bridge. Then when I'm over my good fishing hole, I pull the small line that has the slip knot in it and then the anchor drops pulling the rope out of the anchor well. Sad thing is, I still have to do the climb thing to haul it back out.<br /><br />Another way is to install a windlass to raise and lower your anchor, but if your like me, the price of a windlass keeps me doing the physical routine.<br /><br />Good Luck,,, at least it is exercise!

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

You can use an old fishermans trick of putting a large metal ring over the anchor rope with a float attached like a crab pot marker bouy. Hook the anchor rope on the bow and keep the anchor in the cockpit. When ready to anchor just put the anchor over the side. When you are ready to retrieve the anchor you can idle up on the upper side and the bouy will lift the anchor as the rope tightens. Use a boat hook to snag the line and pull it in from the rear deck. It saves a lot of climbing around and is really nice if it's raining. I have seen these devices for sale or you can make one. The Halibut fishermen in Alaska have used this method for years. Good luck!

 

[Chris_Crafter]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

I have an easy way of handling this.I have my wife do it.LOL<br />I have thought of a windlass also but they are pricey.My anchor stows inside the cuddy in a small compartment.It's a little tight going thru the hatch with the anchor.But my Chris Craft has lots of storage space so the only things that are usually in the cuddy are towels and a boombox.Although there are some good ideas posted here.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[cntrydude]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Thanks for the replies! On another board, one guy has his anchor and rode held in hangers mounted on the bow rail. He got the hangers from West Marine. May be a way to go? Here is the link to the thread.<br /><br />web page

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

I would,nt.. looks like it might bounce around, be hell on yuour gel coat<br /><br /> Jim

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

I've got an 18 1/2' cuddy. I'll often drop the hook 6 or 7 times a day. It's not recommended by a lot of folks, but I anchor from the stern, and keep the anchor there - it never comes into the boat.<br /><br />

 

[cntrydude]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Thanks Nick,<br />Nice set-up, but in a river I definitely need to anchor from the bow.

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

This is what I just did countrydude!<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=002834 <br /><br />The best improvement I could have done...

 

[mole2]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Originally posted by cuzner:<br /> I would,nt.. looks like it might bounce around, be hell on yuour gel coat<br /><br /> Jim

Nahhhhh...it never bounced off. Even in some pretty bad 2 - 3 foot chop. Of course YMMV.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Nick<br />Does your transducer actually work angled that far foward?

 

[cntrydude]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Nice job BD!

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Anchoring a 19' cuddy

Thanks, Dude!