Low tech question

[njcoaster]

What is the best system for afixing the anchor line to a small, non-power boat? A hardware store eyehook? A U-bolt? or is it better to let the line (rode?) run into the boat so that the anchor line length can be adjusted by tieing off to a cleat, and the anchor can be raised without one leaning out over the bow? If so, can the line just run out over the side, or does this risk making the boat tippy in a current?

[daddles]

We've got a small f/glass dinghy (to be replaced in ply next year, see the Ellen post) that we do a lot of fishing from. There's an eye fixed to just above the waterline at the bow. To this, I've fitted a rope about 3m long with a stainless snap hook on it. With this, I can either clip it to a mooring in the bay or clip it to the end of my anchor rope. Quick and easy. Mind you, we always anchor in the same depth water to within a metre so we can get away with a fixed length anchor rope. A light line leading from the anchor rope into the boat would be really nice so that you don't have to hang over the bow to get to the rope - just haven't done it yet. Where we fish, it's always windy and with shallow water, choppy water is normal - with the eye where it is, the boat rides very nicely.

Cheers
Richard

[Ian McColgin]

I think the fad for hooking on to bow eyes must have been developed by the existance of bow eyes for trailoring.

It's a real pain in the neck to be leaning over the bow reaching around underwater for the anchor line, especially in a chop.

Make a nice wooden cleat - lots of examples in other posts - and put it in a good spot. Make or buy a chock to guide the anchor line over the bow.

If you've a lot of fishing in mind, make a cleat for each corner of the transom as well. Sometimes it's convenient to anchor by the stern.

Rather like how we note that Baalam was the most elastic man in the Bible.

[daddles]

Originally posted by Ian McColgin:
I think the fad for hooking on to bow eyes must have been developed by the existance of bow eyes for trailoring.

Or bow eyes for towing. My old girl was a yacht tender in an earlier life. Besides, in choppy water, which is what was specified, it sits a lot better in the water.

Richard

[njcoaster]

I like the idea of the cleat and chock, but I see the problem with having the line attached relatively high, where it exerts downward pressure in a chop, rather than attached at the water line, where the boat can pivot a little better (the attachment point is kind of a fulcrum, I guess).

Maybe I'll experiment a little. We're talking about pretty light duty boats, here. Maybe affix the line low, and reserve the option of running it around a cleat and through a chock when conditions are right, or you plan on moving often.

I just know my wife really resented leaning out and pulling up the anchor every time I said "I think we should move again" last time we went fluking in windy cold May weather.