Anchor Ball

[Richard.C]

Interested in your examples of how you have mounted an anchor ball on your motor boats?

Most balls I see for sale are designed around sail boats, I was thinking I would need to support one from a post on the pull pit.

 

[rogerthebodger]

This post

stainless steel pulpit rail burgee pole

Has been talking about a burgee pole on the OP pulpit. You could used a similar fitting to mount your anchor ball on your motor boat.

If you have the normal 2 piece folding anchor ball you could get a 25(1") tube ans cut cross slots in the one end of the tube to slot the anchor ball onto the tube that then be positioned in the pulpit fitting when at anchor.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Mine is a standard plastic sectional ball. It mounts to a slotted fitting on the end of a pole. The pole fits into a guardrail fitting.

I deployed it last weekend in Osborne Bay. Of the 100 or so boats there only a few showing a ball. And sorry to say mine the only mobo with one.

 

[Seastoke]

Mine is a standard plastic sectional ball. It mounts to a slotted fitting on the end of a pole. The pole fits into a guardrail fitting.

I deployed it last weekend in Osborne Bay. Of the 100 or so boats there only a few showing a ball. And sorry to say mine the only mobo with one.

Once a raggie always a raggie , i leave my anchor light on ,it gives a clue .

 

[Sticky Fingers]

... i leave my anchor light on ,it gives a clue .

I hope you're joking. Something tells me you may not be...

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I have a ‘rocket launcher’ type rod holder on my wheelhouse roof. I attach the black ball to an extended boat hook and stick it in a rod holder. Visible 360^.

 

[Hurricane]

Are these pics any help?
Dead easy to install - just fix the ball to a piece of plastic toilet overflow pipe and slide it over a rail mounted flagpole every time you want to use it.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Perfect.

PS that's a great looking boat....

 

[simonfraser]

Is this not a historical hangover from sail only ?

a stationary mobo, guess what, it’s on anchor
mobos that move are easy to spot, sometimes moving too quick

raggies can be v slow and are perhaps trying to get somewhere, thats when an anchor ball is more useful ?

 

[Richard.C]

Are these pics any help?
Dead easy to install - just fix the ball to a piece of plastic toilet overflow pipe and slide it over a rail mounted flagpole every time you want to use it.

View attachment 99057

View attachment 99058

Thanks for the replies, this is an easy solution, first step is to get a rail mount flag pole and a black ball.

 

[pathfinderstu]

Wonder if the insurance companies would try and wriggle out of a claim if no anchor ball was displayed

 

[Piers]

Had a short stainless mast created which fits the jack staff. Play d'eau at anchor.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks for the replies, this is an easy solution, first step is to get a rail mount flag pole and a black ball.

A little more detail.
I bought a rail mounted flag pole from a chandler and fitted it to the hoop on our rail - like this:-
This pic taken from a drone whilst we were replacing the wood teak with synthetic.
Note the fabulous big Rocna anchor under the bow.


And the anchor ball itself is made from a "two piece" anchor ball that you can buy in a chandler.
These anchor balls are supplied in two parts that you assemble when you need it.
I cable tied one part of the anchor ball to some plastic toilet overflow pipe that you can buy at most plumbing DIY stores.
Then using some elastic bungee cord, the second half of the anchor ball can be temporarily attached.
The idea is that the plastic toilet overflow pipe slides over the flag pole.
Finally a length of bungee cord with a loop at the end holds the whole thing in place.
This pic shows it quite well.
Both halves of the anchor ball are there but one is in line with the camera so you can only see one half.
I hope that makes sense.

 

[Hurricane]

Had a short stainless mast created which fits the jack staff. Play d'eau at anchor.

Thats much posher than mine

 

[Seastoke]

I hope you're joking. Something tells me you may not be...

What would you say is wrong with that . Is it not the Anchor light .

 

[Sticky Fingers]

What would you say is wrong with that . Is it not the Anchor light .

Anchor light OK at night. IRPCS require an anchor ball during the day. Hurricane's solution more or less the same as mine.

 

[Seastoke]

Anchor light OK at night. IRPCS require an anchor ball during the day. Hurricane's solution more or less the same as mine.

Surrender , black balls ??? matter.

 

[Scubadoo]

My anchor ball is displayed between bow stanchions, visible from a distance.

You don't see many motor boats with an anchor ball in the solent and last weekend a few motor boats were at anchor during the night without an anchor light and no light in the cockpit so in complete darkness.

 

[Scubadoo]

Is this not a historical hangover from sail only ?

a stationary mobo, guess what, it’s on anchor
mobos that move are easy to spot, sometimes moving too quick

raggies can be v slow and are perhaps trying to get somewhere, thats when an anchor ball is more useful ?

Maybe it is a hangover, but it is a requirement of the colregs whether a sail or motor boat, without complying could make it easier for insurers to refuse a claim or aid prosecution etc.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

That's right. Might be an urban myth but nonetheless, if you're at anchor no ball displayed, and are involved in a coming together with a boat under sail or power, you're already compromised. That boat's skipper and insurers might reasonably claim you bear partial liability.