Rigging an anchor

[jayhanig]

This is a real newbie question but I need to know: I bought a new Danforth type anchor of appropriate size. I also purchased a length of chain which I attached to the anchor using a shackle. Now I come to attaching the anchor line to the chain. I can't find any place that tells me the best way to do that.

I have purchased a 200 foot long 3/8" anchor line that has a loop on one end and just terminates on the other end. Does anybody have pictures of a similar anchor properly rigged?

All sorts of possibilities occur to me: connecting the looped end of the line to the chain with another shackle... tying the bitter end of the anchor line to the chain using a bowline or similar knot... what do you guys do?

 

[dan t.]

Re: Rigging an anchor

Use another shackle to attach the eye in the line to the chain, tie off the bitter end to the boat, if nessasary add an eye bolt inside the anchor locker

 

[JoLin]

Re: Rigging an anchor

What dan t said. The arrangement of parts is... anchor <=> shackle <=> chain <=> shackle <=> line

 

[blifsey]

Re: Rigging an anchor

The loop on anchor line should also have a thimble (a small loop shaped plastic or metal piece) in it to prevent the shackle from rubbing through the line.

Also be sure to use a small piece of wire or zip ties to keep the bolt/screw in the shackles from backing out.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Rigging an anchor

Thanks, guys. The loop in the anchor line does have that thimble. Believe it or not, this old bowrider doesn't have an anchor locker. I found the original anchor in the bilge opening between the captain's seat and the passenger's. I'll have to dig around in there and see how they've got that anchor tied to the boat. This new anchor is to be the boat's primary and the old one will be the secondary. The old one doesn't have any chain on it so I couldn't just look at it to see how it should be rigged. Besides, judging from other things I've found, the old owner probably isn't who I should emulate.

And I didn't miss what you said about safety wiring the shackles. I've got some stainless wire and the proper tool from my aircraft days.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Rigging an anchor

I go old school. I run the rode through the chain and back splice it into itself.



That was for my smaller boat. The big one has 280' of all chain rode. I wonder how much that weighs?

 

[sasto]

Re: Rigging an anchor

I also do what fireman does....this site may help in making your decision.

http://www.animatedknots.com/splice/index.php

 

[shrew]

Re: Rigging an anchor

I'm guessing you're both using a rope to chain splice because you are using windlasses. That MAY be an unnecessary level of complexity for the OP's situation. Just a thought.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Rigging an anchor

Possibly so. No windlass on my boat. As a matter of fact I'm contemplating a plastic milk box like the dairies use to transport milk to the grocery store in. Or possibly a 5 gallon plastic bucket. I'm all for the elegant solution.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Rigging an anchor

I'm guessing you're both using a rope to chain splice because you are using windlasses. That MAY be an unnecessary level of complexity for the OP's situation. Just a thought.

Absolutely correct. When I was running the smaller boat without a windlass, it was shackles on both ends.