Anchor sticking in holder

[amanphoto]

I have an anchor question. I have set up the windless and it works great. My only problem is that my anchor keeps getting stuck or wedged against the bow holder on my Monterey 250. I have to keep running to the bow to kick the anchor loose before the windlass will drop. I Am using a Danforth-style fluke anchor. I love the anchor it's holds awesome. I don't really want to change it.

 

[JoLin]

I've had the same issue with both my current Carver and previous Four Winns 27'. I use Danforths, too. I think that

1. The bow roller is cheap/flimsy and deforms when the windlass pulls the anchor tightly against it. The anchor binds up and won't release.
2. Our anchors aren't heavy enough to pull themselves free. 13 lbs. in my case. Bet yours is either the same or lighter.

Sometimes if I loosen the the windlass tension on my way into an anchorage, the up and down movement of the boat will shake it free so I can drop it when I arrive at my 'spot', but that's hit or miss. A pivoting/self-launching anchor roller is on my list for next spring.

My .02

 

[amanphoto]

No Title

My current anchor is also 13#. I'm thinking about going to this kind of anchor (west marine) to fix the problem. I anchor mostly in sandy mud or rocks.

 

[shrew]

The roller you have is not a true 'Self-launching" roller. You would have better luck with a plough, manson supreme or Rocna for launching off of that type of roller. Personally, I wouldn't use a Danforth as a primary anchor anyway. They don't do well in reversing tides/current and the stabilizer bar can cause the anchor chain to foul the anchor.