Tell me about your anchor ball

[Beefer]

So I have an anchor ball set up, and I'm debating whether to use 3' of line between the ball and the anchor ring. They say with out the added line, there is less chance of fouling your prop. How is yours set up?

Also, where do you store your anchor ball? Mine is too big for the anchor locker, and I'm thinking of clipping it onto the bowrail stanchion, and letting it sit on the deck (walk around, so it will stay 'inside' the boat).

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

I've heard about truck nutz, but giving your anchor balls is a bit ridiculous

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

I'm stumped - what is an anchor ball? At first I was thinking a mooring float, but then you asked where to store it. Looks like another google action item for me.

 

[shrew]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

Is this just a float used to identify the location of your anchor? IS this device also used for possbly retrieving a fouled anchor? If this is the case, then the length of line would be dictated by the depth of the water, accounting for tides (if applicable). Personally, I wouldn't use one. There is too high a chance that either you or another boat will foul the line.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

It's an anchor retrieval system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwiNDQW_r08

 

[Beefer]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

So none of you lake boaters use an anchor ball, huh?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

SS ring, 1' of rope/line, anchor ball.

The last thing you want is more line than necessary under the boat. The shorter the line between the ring and ball means that the anchor line is closer to the surface, therefore less likely to foul a prop.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

A true ?? anchor ball is a vertical line going down to a 2000 pound or heavier concrete block permanantly at 1 location. Home port / marina bay. The anchor blocks are all usually to heavy to drag in a 150 mph breeze. The ring at the top of the down line is MASSIVE. To take all that constant metal to metal yanks during high winds. The ball float is clipped on to the ring. Your bow anchor line is linked or knotted to the ring when anchoring.
Most of us remove the anchor ball after the bow winch / windlass has lifted the ball a little. Scope the line.

Mixing sail & power boats closely on a anchorage is bad if there is a water current. They swing at different rates to the wind changes. ESPECIALLY very light winds. BUMP
Seen it happen all day right in front of the marina anchorage. Year after year.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

A true ?? anchor ball is a vertical line going down to a 2000 pound or heavier concrete block permanantly at 1 location. Home port / marina bay. The anchor blocks are all usually to heavy to drag in a 150 mph breeze. The ring at the top of the down line is MASSIVE. To take all that constant metal to metal yanks during high winds. The ball float is clipped on to the ring. Your bow anchor line is linked or knotted to the ring when anchoring.
Most of us remove the anchor ball after the bow winch / windlass has lifted the ball a little. Scope the line.

Mixing sail & power boats closely on a anchorage is bad if there is a water current. They swing at different rates to the wind changes. ESPECIALLY very light winds. BUMP
Seen it happen all day right in front of the marina anchorage. Year after year.

Uhh.... that's NOT an anchor ball.... that's a permanent mooring you're describing.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

My uncle used one religiously when he fished commercially out of Jupiter Inlet. He was 67 and swore by it.

The thing worked well the several times I fished with him

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

Thank you for telling me something I have never seen or used.
It seems like a faster & easier way of bringing on board a heavy anchor with no power lifting available.

Rich

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

BTW, I forgot to mention, just let it hang inside the boat from the ring on the bowrail at the very fore of the boat, at least that's where I've always seen/kept them.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

Now that I understand it.

Why not just use a good sized threaded ring like climbers use and a small mooring ball. Take it on & off as weather dictates. A boathook gets it onto a rubber or Nylon mat on the deck to remove the ball.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

Huh, learn something new every day. Thanks for the video link!

 

[mr 88]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

She is in the kitchen,eating.....................

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

She is in the kitchen,eating.....................

HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Apparently you have her chain the proper length if she can't get out of the kitchen.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: Tell me about your anchor ball

I live now in Oregon, and see them used extensively among the guides on the Umpqua river and the Columbia. Most I've seen have a quick connect between the float and the anchor rope sleeve so it can be removed for storage in the boat. They also have a quick link to the bow eye so they can quickly disconnect and leave the anchor/buoy in the water if they need to chase a fish that's on line, then can come back to retrieve the anchor.

Btw, they are absolutely the best for retrieving an anchor in anything over 15' of water! Very quick and easy!