Anchor Balls - Where to hang?

[RogerRat]

So where do you hang yours on a Mobo?

We were discussing this at the weekend as we thought it best to comply and use one this year.

Do you display yours from:

The highest point of from the bow pulpit?

Rule 30, (I think it is) suggests in the fore, but illustrates on a sailing vessel.

On one hand, hung high is most visible but if you were looking to see if a vessel is anchored, you may look to the bow for a sign of some chain.

What does the panel think about this one please?

 

[rickp]

I hang mine on the little flag staff at the bow (jack staff?) as seen here:

Rick

 

[ebbtide]

I treat mine as a signal (flag) and hoist it at the port crosstree - a legal requirement in your harbour and mine.
The st'b'd side is occupied by a club burgee. but I occasionally have a staff on the pulpit (just a smidgin taller than our air draft) - would that make more sense? V awkward fixing it tho'.
I wait for pedants to lay down the law (best posted on the Raggie pages then . . . )

 

[Pinnacle]

IMHO bow best place by far. Suggest having the ball on a removable staff ( prolly stainless to match pulpit ).

Something like this .

 

[Whitelighter]

I'd like to point out that the reason why I wasn't displaying an anchor ball as well is because I wasnt at anchor, just tied to Rick.

 

[rickp]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

It was a stunning day though. Still can't believe easter last year!

Rick

 

[Whitelighter]

I know, looking forward to some of the same this year as well. Just need a boat which will accomodate us for a week or so...

 

[Pinnacle]

Not quite the same as easter this year.......... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Hurricane]

I got a bit of plastic overflow pipe from B&Q and fixed one of those quadrant anchor balls to it - then glued a cap end on the end of the pipe and slide the whole thing over one of the VHF aerials. Bit of elastic shock cord to keep it there and bobs your uncle. However it isnt at the bow but fairly obvious to anyone looking that its an anchor ball.

Still forget to take it down though.

 

[Alistairr]

Never mind that Roger!!! I ain't interested in which way you hang your balls!!!
When are we going to see some pics of your new boat!!!???

Cheers

Al. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ValleyForge]

Hmm, with an overall length of just a smidgean less than 7M I shall keep my balls to myself thank you.
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Seriously though - apart from irate Ahabs of the rag & stick brigade has anyone ever actually been admonished fined imprisoned or been impounded for not showing balls on the technically correct occasions ? Lights too come to that.

Seems to me that modern craft of reasonable proportions just aren't built right ...

 

[SnaxMuppet]

This is an interesting one... my boat too is under 7m and so I was hoping that I could do without needing to display an achor ball.

Rule 30(e) does say that a vessel of less than 7 metres in length, when at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

But that still means that I need to carry an anchor ball and display it sometimes so it doesn't help me much.

 

[MJT]

Arny, I think we all need to use them! I wouldn't want a guy that's just bounced off my boat through a cock-up to claim he thought I was under way. Don't suppose my insurers would think much of it either.
I run a line from my cabin top to the pulpit and dangle my ball halfway along that ...! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[SnaxMuppet]

I have a 6m boat and I originally felt that anchor balls were used so little, especially by mobos, that if the regs allowed me not to display one then I wouldn't.

I have changed my mind now though... I too agree that it would help if we all used them but the truth is that hardly anyone does... same with motoring cones for raggies. It is almost so rare that it might cause a bit of confusion by putting one up!!!

I am adding a mount for a pole at the bow on the anchor locker hatch for anchor ball. Should work well.

 

[MapisM]

These are the comments that make this forum worth reading!
In the Med I gave up displaying the anchor ball after the third time I was asked weird questions about its meaning... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I agree on the bow position, btw.
But a former navy officer told me that it should be displayed in the position where the anchor is linked to the boat, thus requiring the ball to be displayed astern if using an aft anchor (which is pretty rare anyway).
Never bothered to check if such rule actually exist, though.

 

[RogerRat]

Sorry, the weather's been too iffy to go out mostly and pics of a boat stuck in a marina is not so cool. Last weekend, I had the steering indicator to pieces when the weather was as its best. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Next time out in company, I'll ask someone to snap 'Houston' in full flight and see if I can get something worth posting! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Since I took delivery, I have been doing a few jobs and fitted some Rat toys though:

1. Blue Lights to the rear aspect. (Cool subtle ones though - nothing too flashy.)
2. New Standard Horizon DSC VHF with remote handset.
3. Coutesy Flag mast for red ensign. ( To leave main pos. for Confederate protest red diesel flag)

Plus a few minor mods to make her work better like lighting, ring main and domestic mods. But now she's ready to rock & role! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anchor ball will be displayed as and when from the bow... Does seem a bit unecessary though. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Alistairr]

Excellent Roger, I'll look forward to them.
Boat sounds brill.

Cheers

Al.

 

[djefabs]

1. Blue Lights to the rear aspect. (Cool subtle ones though - nothing too flashy.)


[/ QUOTE ]
Who was the judge ????/ /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[RogerRat]

Someone with excellent taste. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Which certainly rules you out! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif