Anchor ball to retrieve anchor on cruiser?

[SDSeville]

I still haven't bought a windlass (having trouble prying $2500 out of my wallet) and I was wondering if an anchor ball system would work for my Maxum 2700SCR? I have tried climbing out on the bow and pulling it up by hand but that is a lot of work and gets pretty sketchy if the water is anything but glass.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
Being honest, in all my years of boating, I've never found retrieving an anchor a problem.
Most times if you pull in the slack so the anchor is directly below the bow or even slightly aft of it...she will come unstuck.
On the odd occasion and after a few days at anchor and under heavy load, it will be fairly well stuck in there. ...when this happens, I used to take in the slack chain tight and secure it, them nudge into forward fear for a second....usually the weight and momentum of the boats forward movement will release the hook.
Just my thoughts.

 

[dingbat]

My aunt and uncle used an anchor ball on their 40' fishing boat for years.

The trick was to use a quick release clip so they could retrieve from the cockpit instead of going up to the bow.

 

[SDSeville]

Hi
Being honest, in all my years of boating, I've never found retrieving an anchor a problem.
Most times if you pull in the slack so the anchor is directly below the bow or even slightly aft of it...she will come unstuck.
On the odd occasion and after a few days at anchor and under heavy load, it will be fairly well stuck in there. ...when this happens, I used to take in the slack chain tight and secure it, them nudge into forward fear for a second....usually the weight and momentum of the boats forward movement will release the hook.
Just my thoughts.

It was never a problem with my open bow, but this cruiser is a pain. I usually anchor in about 60 to 100 feet of water at the kelp beds, so I have up to 150' of rope and 30' of chain. Climbing out 15+ feet onto the bow to the pulpit can get sketchy in only 2 to 3 foot swells, but much worse in bigger ones.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi SD...
Yeah, fair comment. Different ball game from my usual. I usually only anchor in around 5-20 feet of water...and usually in a sheltered location.

 

[SDSeville]

My aunt and uncle used an anchor ball on their 40' fishing boat for years.

The trick was to use a quick release clip so they could retrieve from the cockpit instead of going up to the bow.

That sounds like a great idea, but I can't picture exactly how they would do that. It sure would be great to not to have to climb out on the bow at all.

 

[dingbat]

That sounds like a great idea, but I can't picture exactly how they would do that. It sure would be great to not to have to climb out on the bow at all.

goggle pelican clip Anchoring. Lots on information on the ways they can be used

 

[SDSeville]

goggle pelican clip Anchoring. Lots on information on the ways they can be used

Thanks! Found this. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[airshot]

I don't keep my anchor on a pulpit, just toss it over the side without going onto the bow. Having the same issue as yourself I found that running the anchor line from the cockpit out thru the bow cleat then to the anchor, but then I added a clip on line between the cleat and the anchor with about 25-30 ft of line. Set my anchor and allow the added drop line to sink along the anchor line. When it was time to retrieve, I just pulled on the added clipped line while moving the boat slowly toward the anchor and am able to pull up the anchor line to the cockpit area without going to the bow. Once the anchor line is close by I just unclip the added dropper line and continue pulling in the anchor line until I get to the anchor chain. About same as drawing in prior posting but add a clipped line between pulpit and anchor and I use a deck cleat rather than an anchor pulpit. Hope this makes sense to you.

 

[Maranvin]

I don't keep my anchor on a pulpit, just toss it over the side without going onto the bow. Having the same issue as yourself I found that running the anchor line from the cockpit out thru the bow cleat then to the anchor, but then I added a clip on line between the cleat and the anchor with about 25-30 ft of line. Set my anchor and allow the added drop line to sink along the anchor line. When it was time to retrieve, I just pulled on the added clipped line while moving the boat slowly toward the anchor and am able to pull up the anchor line to the cockpit area without going to the bow. Once the anchor line is close by I just unclip the added dropper line and continue pulling in the anchor line until I get to the anchor chain. About same as drawing in prior posting but add a clipped line between pulpit and anchor and I use a deck cleat rather than an anchor pulpit. Hope this makes sense to you.

Pics plz.