simon_sluggett
New member
Anyone know what size/weight/type of anchor is best used in an inflatable. I want to go out in my inflatable from the boat at anchor to explore rocky coves and do some snorkeling etc.
anchors for inflatables
- Thread starter simon_sluggett
- Start date
FWB
N/A
I use one of these
ShipsWoofy
New member
me too, 1.5kg with about 5ft of tiny chain (4mm? it's really small though) and 6mm rode, holds both our inflatable and hard dinghy still. Nice to stow as well, as it folds with no pointy bits.
Handy to hold the dinghy on the beach too if you are afraid of getting back to find the tide has come in and taken the tender for a walk.
Handy to hold the dinghy on the beach too if you are afraid of getting back to find the tide has come in and taken the tender for a walk.
Sea Devil
Well-known member
me too... just the same.
oldsaltoz
New member
G'day Magwitch,
We use a 2 kg reef pick, a bit of s/steel tube and 3 bits of 6 mm s/steel, 2 short and one long that is doubled over to form a loop, then passed through the tube, add the other short bits in the gaps left in the tube and weld the lot together, s/steel from the scrappy, welded at home total cost about AU$8.00 (under 4 quid).
Grab one of those square plastic drums and cut two sides out leaving you with a handle and square container, perfect to stow your ground tackle in, no spikes to about and the chain / rope is in a neat pile.
If we plan to land on a beach we take extra rope and find a nice palm tree to tie up to, on sand cays we use a galvanised star picket.
Hope this helps,
Avagoodweekend......
We use a 2 kg reef pick, a bit of s/steel tube and 3 bits of 6 mm s/steel, 2 short and one long that is doubled over to form a loop, then passed through the tube, add the other short bits in the gaps left in the tube and weld the lot together, s/steel from the scrappy, welded at home total cost about AU$8.00 (under 4 quid).
Grab one of those square plastic drums and cut two sides out leaving you with a handle and square container, perfect to stow your ground tackle in, no spikes to about and the chain / rope is in a neat pile.
If we plan to land on a beach we take extra rope and find a nice palm tree to tie up to, on sand cays we use a galvanised star picket.
Hope this helps,
Avagoodweekend......
jerryat
Active member
[ QUOTE ]
I use one of these
[/ QUOTE ]
Yet another 'me too!!' We use about 10 feet of chain then some small line. The chain may appear a bit long, but we found that anything much shorter allowed the line to chafe through quickly in the Med/Caribbean.
I use one of these
[/ QUOTE ]
Yet another 'me too!!' We use about 10 feet of chain then some small line. The chain may appear a bit long, but we found that anything much shorter allowed the line to chafe through quickly in the Med/Caribbean.
Poignard
Well-known member
I prefer a genuine CQR.
Rabbie
New member
I use a neat little Danforth, about 3 kgs.
Bajansailor
Well-known member
Grapnels do not have much holding power in sand.
We have a Mini-fortress, all of 2 lbs in weight, which would probably hold a dinghy in a hurricane very happily.
Also have an old 5 lb Navy type stockless anchor (like a mini version of the traditional stockless anchors in hawse pipes on big ships) which works OK, but it's holding power is tiny compared to the Mini-fortress.
We have a Mini-fortress, all of 2 lbs in weight, which would probably hold a dinghy in a hurricane very happily.
Also have an old 5 lb Navy type stockless anchor (like a mini version of the traditional stockless anchors in hawse pipes on big ships) which works OK, but it's holding power is tiny compared to the Mini-fortress.
Topcat47
Well-known member
I use a folding grapnell c/o Lidl c/w their crap chain/warp. It's good enough for most applications and I don't go too far form it when snorkelling. Regarding the sand, I dig it in if I'm free diving and don't bother if I'm just swimming.
billcowan
Member
I always carry dingy up the beach and tie it to a post.
This is because dogs prefer to piss on the previously pissed post rather than the dingy.
This is because dogs prefer to piss on the previously pissed post rather than the dingy.
William_H
Well-known member
One thing that really gives me the creeps is the idea of going out a long way to a reef leaping over the side for a snorkel or dive only to return to find the dinghy gone. The ocean looks like a lonely place from a view head high in the water. If you are going to leave the dinghy unattended then I would want a real big stout anchor.
Some guys were recently miraculously saved when found swimming miles from shore after their dinghy drifted away during a dive. It is the stuff my nightmares are made of. (and yours I imagine)
So that will dictate ground tackle olewill
Some guys were recently miraculously saved when found swimming miles from shore after their dinghy drifted away during a dive. It is the stuff my nightmares are made of. (and yours I imagine)
So that will dictate ground tackle olewill
oldsaltoz
New member
G'day Olewill,
Your dead right there, we got into the habit of wrapping the short chain around a suitable bombie on the first dive many years ago, and when diving on the reef you can often find a good solid lump above the water.
Not so long ago about 3 hours out of Cairns we spotted a Zodiac with no one on board ans a very small reef pick hanging out the back, secured it to a stern cleat, put out a call on 16 to see if anyone was missing one but no replies.
Gave the Coast Guard a call and our position when we got to the inflatable. We then headed into the wind (under motor now) with a small adjustment for tide, a bit over an hour later we heard a call on 16 requesting if anyone had seen a Zodiac adrift, told him we had it in tow.
Turns out that 3 people had taken the zodiac to a point about half way between the their cat and the shore to do a spot of diving. The zodiac took off in the breeze (not much tide run at the time) but they could not swim fast enough to catch it.
They swam back to the cat ok and planned to take off after the zodiac but could not get their anchor off the coral below.
We spotted the cat only just shy of dead ahead and 30 minutes, passed him my chain loop to drop down his warp, got him to idle in reverse and we backed up, lifted first go, skipper on the cat was very happy, so were we after a few drinks on board to celebrate.
Take great care out there,
Andavagoodweekend......
Your dead right there, we got into the habit of wrapping the short chain around a suitable bombie on the first dive many years ago, and when diving on the reef you can often find a good solid lump above the water.
Not so long ago about 3 hours out of Cairns we spotted a Zodiac with no one on board ans a very small reef pick hanging out the back, secured it to a stern cleat, put out a call on 16 to see if anyone was missing one but no replies.
Gave the Coast Guard a call and our position when we got to the inflatable. We then headed into the wind (under motor now) with a small adjustment for tide, a bit over an hour later we heard a call on 16 requesting if anyone had seen a Zodiac adrift, told him we had it in tow.
Turns out that 3 people had taken the zodiac to a point about half way between the their cat and the shore to do a spot of diving. The zodiac took off in the breeze (not much tide run at the time) but they could not swim fast enough to catch it.
They swam back to the cat ok and planned to take off after the zodiac but could not get their anchor off the coral below.
We spotted the cat only just shy of dead ahead and 30 minutes, passed him my chain loop to drop down his warp, got him to idle in reverse and we backed up, lifted first go, skipper on the cat was very happy, so were we after a few drinks on board to celebrate.
Take great care out there,
Andavagoodweekend......
simon_sluggett
New member
We dont have reefs, that I know of, on the south coast of England so tend to stick to the coastline anyway and only dive in calm weather. But thanks for the tip anyway. cheers.
Searush
New member
Just don't use a sharp one . . . Hee Hee!
hylass
New member
[ QUOTE ]
I use one of these
[/ QUOTE ]
NEVER use "one of these".. a Grapnel..
A grapnel is not an anchor.. but just a "Hook"
Your inflatable desert a REAL anchor.
A few months ago a sailor has been lost in Cap Verde islands.. he was trying to go back to his boat in an inflatable. What happens exactly?? I was not in the dinghy , but everybody think that the engine stops.. the wind was quite strong, and with a strong wind, you can’t use the paddles..
If this happens to you, you need the BEST available anchor, throw it and you may spend a poor night in your dinghy, but sooner or latter somebody will see you..
use a "poor holding" grapnel.. and you may be lost for ever..
I use one of these
[/ QUOTE ]
NEVER use "one of these".. a Grapnel..
A grapnel is not an anchor.. but just a "Hook"
Your inflatable desert a REAL anchor.
A few months ago a sailor has been lost in Cap Verde islands.. he was trying to go back to his boat in an inflatable. What happens exactly?? I was not in the dinghy , but everybody think that the engine stops.. the wind was quite strong, and with a strong wind, you can’t use the paddles..
If this happens to you, you need the BEST available anchor, throw it and you may spend a poor night in your dinghy, but sooner or latter somebody will see you..
use a "poor holding" grapnel.. and you may be lost for ever..
Scarron
Active member
Think I might try one of these: - 2 Kg Kobra
I had the devil of a job making a cheapo grapnel set in a sandy bottom last year off Herm.
Paul.
I had the devil of a job making a cheapo grapnel set in a sandy bottom last year off Herm.
Paul.
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