This is great stuff. I like the figure 8 idea. I'm gonna have to try that. Daniel On Sep 14, 2012, at 4:50 PM, James Poulakis wrote:
Daniel, I store my every-day anchor as far forward as I can in the port cockpit locker of my M-17 to keep the weight low and centralized but still be handy. It lives in a rectangular bucket purchased from Orchard Supply. Rectangular buckets are a better shape if you flake your rode in a figure 8, and the anchor fits better in it too. Its also easier to get in and out of the locker because, unlike a round bucket, it's shorter in one direction than the other. If things look the least bit edgy I break out my 14# Delta with 27' of 1/4" chain and 210' of 1/2" line (the 1/2" line is overkill but I had it left over from a bigger boat). I store that baby in a canvas bag under the cockpit when I cruise. It takes some fumbling around to dig it out and get it ready but it the best sleeping pill money can buy. Another thought: There's nothing wrong with having a small "emergency brake" anchor with 50' of 3/8" nylon and NO chain on it. This should not be used as an overnight anchor, or even a lunch hook if you leave the boat. It's just a lot less hassle when you're messing around in gunkholes.
Jim M17 "Spirit"
On Sep 13, 2012, at 8:06 PM, Daniel Rich wrote:
Montypals:
Just got back last week from the Small Craft Skills Academy in Port Townsend. Fantastic experience. Anyway, based on that I have a bunch of things to think about. One of them is how to handle my anchor tackle. Presently I have a small danforth with about 6 feet of chain, and then about 80 feet of rode. I have put marks on the rode now to measure out how much is being payed out as I anchor. I would like to stow the thing in the port lazarette which on my boat is wide open to the bilge. How are you guys doing this? Bag? Plastic container? I know that the line needs to be carefully flaked into the container so that it runs free when paying out the line. Thoughts here?
Daniel Rich M15 #208 "Kestrel" danielgrich@gmail.com