Anchor buoy

[Cruiser2B]

Re: Anchor buoy .... reasons for

I wouldn't anchor over any bottle/pot/can that has a rope attached to it - it doesn't matter whether it marks a trap, an anchor or lost item. Flotsam is self-evident, and wouldn't dissuade me from anchoring.
I don't disagree with your reasons per se, but I believe there are better alternatives to both. (1)Unless you lose a lot of anchors, it's overkill to mark your anchor every time just in case; a self-deploying marker float could be kept at hand if that's a concern. (2)I've never had an anchor foul so much that it couldn't be loosened by its own rode - not saying it would never happen, but if it did, then something more substantial than 6 mm would be advised; certainly there are options that can be deployed after the fact, if necessary.

 

[TheBoatman]

Re: Anchor buoy .... reasons for

One method I have successfully used to recover a fouled anchor, admittedly on a fishing boat using rope warp & chain to the anchor is - I carry a s/s metal ring 'bout 10" dia with a small extra ring welded on the side. To this I attach a long length of line capable of easily lifting the anchor.

If I get fouled, I pass the ring over the anchor warp, then pull up as tight as I can so that the anchor warp is as near vertical as I can make it. I then let the ring slide down the warp paying out the tripping line as it goes. Then I buoy the end of the anchor line and get ready to cast the whole lot overboard - run the tripping line back to a stern cleat but leave it so that the excess can stream out - I also have a loop made into the last 2 mtrs of tripping line and attach a small float to it just in case it all goes "Tees up". Take a compass reading on the ships heading then let go the anchor line and motor up over the anchor steaming the tripping line astern - normally when the tripping line goes tight the anchor will "pop" and you can recover the whole lot over the stern. If the anchor doesn't "pop" then you can cut the tripping line from the cleat and let it float away while you dream up plan B.

The worst thing that can happen is you end up with 2 floats, 1 on the anchor warp the other on the tripping line.

I would add that I have used this method on at least a dozen occasions and it's worked every time but one, and on that occasion I had a mate come out in his boat and help me - he took the tripping line - I fell back to maximum scope and then he motored off - popped it first time.

Peter.