Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

[pullin]

I have a 23' Sea Ray cuddy cabin, and due to age (mine) am weary of crawling forward to set and retrieve the anchor. I operate mostly solo, and am trying to come up with a way to handle things from behind the windshield. An electric winch isn't an option now, due to lack of a pulpit (nowhere to pull the anchor tight), and the expense. I'm trying to puzzle out a way to manipulate it via additional lines etc, but everything I come up with gets too complicated. When at anchor, there's no way to reach the line with a boathook from the cockpit.

A few more details: Going forward around the windshield is risky due to the narrow walkway, and the likelihood of wave action sending the Cap'n for a swim. Going forward thru the hatch is becoming irksome, it's an awkward climb and my old knees start to object after a couple of trips up and down.

Surely others have dealt with this, so I appeal to the forum members: How would you handle this? Any and all ideas welcome.

 

[gm280]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

I have no clear solutions for your predicament, however, with your obvious own assessment(s) you seriously should not venture out alone. Surely you could find another person to enjoy your boating experiences with...whether that is fishing (oh yea!) or just boating around. JMHO!

 

[pckeen]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

I remember seeing something like this on iboats before. Check out this thread. You would then have a rope and pulley system leading through the cabin to the windshield. This would require some construction.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

I have no clear solutions for your predicament, however, with your obvious own assessment(s) you seriously should not venture out alone. Surely you could find another person to enjoy your boating experiences with...whether that is fishing (oh yea!) or just boating around. JMHO!

Waiting for others and the boat would never leave the dock most of the time. I'll soon be 66 and am in the same situation. I go alone most of the time. When alone I ware an inflatable PFD with a PLD and knife attached. My boat has a short metal pulpit. A longer pulpit and windlass will be installed soon. Estimated cost $1000. I rarely anchor, mostly troll or drift the Atlantic but some days anchoring is desired.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

I have no clear solutions for your predicament, however, with your obvious own assessment(s) you seriously should not venture out alone.

Nah.

With any luck, when the world is a few years older, I'll be able to do what pullin is doing. Live long, live large!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

Although the general advice is never to stern anchor, there ARE times it is completely safe. Where do you boat? What kind of conditions?

 

[brunolund]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

this is what i do on my 18 footer. i have a loop in my bow line that i attach my anchor line to. this loop is approx the distance from bow eye to helm. my bow line is longenough so when im anchored this way, the bow line goes forward to ther anchor liine about 8', then is loose back to the cleat beside the helm. when i want to pull anchor, i just pull in my bow line, till i get to the loop where the anchor is clipped on, then pull up anchor. then i just wrap bow line around cleat at helm, and go. never have to leave the helm, and still anchor from front.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

Most people use this method around here, it works well and is easy on the back.

There are many companies that make similar items, this is just one and I know the guy doing it. You don't need to drop or retrieve the anchor from the bow, you just leave it tied up there and deploy and retrieve from anywhere in the boat.

Orval's EZ Pull Anchor Retrieval System | Ridge to River OutdoorsRidge to River Outdoors

 

[dvx216]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

A lot of the times on my 230 weekender I anchor from the stern weather permitting. Or you can try this run anchor line through forward cleat bring dead end back into boat.At this point the anchor is also in boat. Step two put tag line on the top of the Danforth anchor with a float on it. You drop anchor from the side of boat take up slack and tie anchor line to an cleat you can get to . Use your depth meter for the lenght of the tag line. To retrieve pull up to float keeping eye on anchor line hook the tag line to pull the anchor . Don't try this with a cheap braided poly line they float and more then likely you will end up with it in your prop. Now that you got anchor in the boat secure the line that runs to the front of boat and now you are on your way. If your done for the day you can pull line from the front cleat . Another thing about using a tag line on the anchor is it will pull out easier and if it is till stuck you can back pull the anchor with it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

short of an electric windlass for your anchor, your best bet to secure the hook is probably from your bow hatch. on my cruisers, I simply climb over the window or climb up thru the hatch, remove the anchor from the chocks and toss overboard, set the hook, then tie off to the appropriate cleat.

there is a reason most people either upsize to a vessel with a windlass or downsize to a bow rider as they get on in years. there are days that my knees and back just do not like jumping over the windshield either.

 

[rothfm]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

What was that last Link above? Didnt come up.

Great topic. I've been looking and pondering this myself. I anchor solo on my 21' in New England up to a dozen times per trip. Its getting tiring and can be tricky in rough weather.

When I was into Kayak salt water fishing, I used a trolley system to shoot the anchor to the bow while seated. Wondering a simple trolley could be rigged up to do the same?

Curious about other pending ideas on this post. Keep em coming.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

This is the one you dont want to hear. Thats why i went to a pontoon, while slower, ever thing is just plain easier to do.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

An Anchor ball is easy to use and works very well

 

[airshot]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

I am having the same problem so thru this winter I have been tossing similar ideas around. One idea that I am going to try this summer is to attatch my anchor line directly to the bow eye with a scissor hook and then put anchor and line into boat. approx. 15-20 ft from the attatched end of the anchor line I will tie another line and it will be tied to a midship cleat. My plan is to drop anchor and motor back to set it, I will then have that other line from my mid cleat attatched to the anchor line approx. 15-20 ft from bow eye to be able to retrieve the anchor when I am ready to leave. Looks good on paper will have to see it in reality. But this allows you to always be anchored to the bow but yet able to retrieve from the midship position without climbing thru the cabin. Have not tried it yet, but do not see why it won't work.

Airshot

 

[gtochris]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

When we had a cuddy with a difficult to access bow:
I had a 15ish foot dockline fastined to the bow cleat, run back to the cockpit with a snaphook tied into the end.

Deploy the anchor from the stern, once the right amount of scope is out- make a loop and clip it to your bow line and toss it in, the extra anchor line slack you keep in the cockpit and when you want to retrieve- simply pull it in.

 

[shrew]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

You need a bow pulpit and a windlass. That is the solution. If one can't be affixed to the current boat, then you need a new boat which either has a pulipt and windlass or one where they can be installed. Everything else is going to be a kluge.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

No pulpit needed...

Max. Capacity #45 pounds...... A 23' boat requires #400+ pounds of pull. I'm putting a #700 on my 22' boat.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

Wave to me the next time you are 15 miles off shore..

This is the one you dont want to hear. Thats why i went to a pontoon, while slower, ever thing is just plain easier to do.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

this is what i do on my 18 footer. i have a loop in my bow line that i attach my anchor line to. this loop is approx the distance from bow eye to helm. my bow line is longenough so when im anchored this way, the bow line goes forward to ther anchor liine about 8', then is loose back to the cleat beside the helm. when i want to pull anchor, i just pull in my bow line, till i get to the loop where the anchor is clipped on, then pull up anchor. then i just wrap bow line around cleat at helm, and go. never have to leave the helm, and still anchor from front.

good idea. instead of a loop use a 3" metal ring as it will slide easier, and a deadicated line for this. Just be sure the anchor line is secred to the boat

 

[pullin]

Re: Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

You need a bow pulpit and a windlass. That is the solution. If one can't be affixed to the current boat, then you need a new boat which either has a pulipt and windlass or one where they can be installed. Everything else is going to be a kluge.

A new boat? It's probably cheaper to hire Hooter's waitresses as crew, and let them scamper around to set anchors.

Seriously, thanks to everyone for the replies. I'll try some of these ideas and let you know how they work. As mentioned in Crabby Captain John's post, I have to operate solo, or stay ashore. I may start a thread asking for solo boating tips, too.