Anchoring a powerboat with limited bow access?
07-01-2020 | 03:12 PM
#21
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1
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My 255 is as bad as it gets...but I made a slight mod that works for me.
I have a custom aluminum ladder on the port side just forward of the passenger seat. On the port side of the boat about 3' behind the windshield I have a stainless steel step pad fastened to the topsides just above the rub rail and below the side glass. I am able to step over the side glass onto the step...turn and step to the bow and walk to the bow cleat and fasten the anchor line. I have a knot at that point along the anchor line that I attach a "retrieval" line. I keep the retrieval line attached to the spring cleat on the starboard side so I can reach it and handle it from the helm.
I've gotten pretty good with the set up and can drop and set my anchor in a matter of a few minutes. using the retrieval line I can ease up on the anchor and pull it up quickly. If I know I am going directly to an anchorage, a short distance, I will set the lines before I leave the dock and keep the anchor handy in the cabin and toss it thru the forward hatch once I reach anchorage.
Admittedly, anchoring a sport boat with limited bow access is a challenge. I anchor our regularly here in South Florida so I developed a system that works for me. I sure do miss my 40' EC Sea Ray with the remote controlled windless...that was awesome.
I have a custom aluminum ladder on the port side just forward of the passenger seat. On the port side of the boat about 3' behind the windshield I have a stainless steel step pad fastened to the topsides just above the rub rail and below the side glass. I am able to step over the side glass onto the step...turn and step to the bow and walk to the bow cleat and fasten the anchor line. I have a knot at that point along the anchor line that I attach a "retrieval" line. I keep the retrieval line attached to the spring cleat on the starboard side so I can reach it and handle it from the helm.
I've gotten pretty good with the set up and can drop and set my anchor in a matter of a few minutes. using the retrieval line I can ease up on the anchor and pull it up quickly. If I know I am going directly to an anchorage, a short distance, I will set the lines before I leave the dock and keep the anchor handy in the cabin and toss it thru the forward hatch once I reach anchorage.
Admittedly, anchoring a sport boat with limited bow access is a challenge. I anchor our regularly here in South Florida so I developed a system that works for me. I sure do miss my 40' EC Sea Ray with the remote controlled windless...that was awesome.
07-01-2020 | 05:59 PM
#22
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,941
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Use a line as long as your boat, with an eye in one end, in both ends would be even better. Snap a carabeaner(sp?) to the eye, and also around the anchor line. Tie the other end of the line to a mid cleat (or hang the second eye loop over the cleat). The carabeaner( is now just free floating on the anchor line, not doing anything. set your anchor like you always do. When it's time to retreave the anchor, start pulling on the carabeaner line until you can grab the anchor line, doing all of this from where ever it's safe for you to be, probably the cockpit. Then just pull up the anchor by pulling up the anchor line.
a- lacking Agility usually because they are
s- Stupid and
s- not Sober
07-01-2020 | 07:55 PM
#23
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 1,450
From: Virginia Beach
07-03-2020 | 03:08 PM
#25
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 2,106
From: Milton, Fla!
Way cool. I like it.
We used to spend the night on the hook all the time.
One night on our 24’ Sonic, the wind shifted and I went to the bow to retrieve the anchor to move to the now, calm side of the peninsula and lost my footing.
Hit the deck, just missed the chock for the bow eye as I slid past it on the way to the water.
If I had hit that chock, it would have gutted me like a fish just before dumping me over the side.
In the dark.
This was in a very remote area.
If it had knocked me out I would not be typing this.
Smart enough to know, I was way lucky.
Went off that bow one other time too.
Anchor lockers forward of vee births in small boats prove their designers have never weekended on a small boat.
PS, what is your anchor?
I looked at installing wing nuts on one of the aluminum Danforth style anchors to make it collapsible like that.
We used to spend the night on the hook all the time.
One night on our 24’ Sonic, the wind shifted and I went to the bow to retrieve the anchor to move to the now, calm side of the peninsula and lost my footing.
Hit the deck, just missed the chock for the bow eye as I slid past it on the way to the water.
If I had hit that chock, it would have gutted me like a fish just before dumping me over the side.
In the dark.
This was in a very remote area.
If it had knocked me out I would not be typing this.
Smart enough to know, I was way lucky.
Went off that bow one other time too.
Anchor lockers forward of vee births in small boats prove their designers have never weekended on a small boat.
PS, what is your anchor?
I looked at installing wing nuts on one of the aluminum Danforth style anchors to make it collapsible like that.
Last edited by Twin O/B Sonic; 07-03-2020 at 03:23 PM.
