Prize for homemade anchor?

[john_morris_uk]

Photo says it all? Not happy with his grapnel that’s doesn’t look like it will grab, he’s made a fisherman’s out of rebar and scrap bits. Bargain

 

[john_morris_uk]

It occurs to me the grapnel is probably for dragging up pots that have lost their end marker buoy.

 

[johnalison]

It looks to me like an offensive weapon designed to be shot forwards into any sailing boat that has the temerity to tack ahead of him.

 

[mjcoon]

Those flukes seem more pointy than is really necessary, and hence dangerous...

 

[Clancy Moped]

I've seen those on Greek fishing boats or similar.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

The "Fisherman's" looks a bit bendy to me. (Here goes another anchor thread )

 

[KevinV]

The "Fisherman's" looks a bit bendy to me. (Here goes another anchor thread )

That would depend on what grade steel was used, how it was tempered, and how it was galvanised - surely? ?????

 

[mjcoon]

That would depend on what grade steel was used, how it was tempered, and how it was galvanised - surely? ?????

And for whether it is meant to do more than holding station while the crew angle for fish?

 

[Iliade]

Maybe he had issues retrieving the original anchor and wanted something easier to break out?

 

[dgadee]

Rebar anchors are very popular in these small fishing boats in many European harbours.

 

[Bouba]

Looks like he got the design off a tattoo

 

[Wansworth]

Is it anti orca ?

 

[Rappey]

Not happy with his grapnel

I think there may be more to that grapnel under closer inspection . There is a ring around the base of the prongs. Could the ring move up and down making it fold or open up ?

 

[john_morris_uk]

I think there may be more to that grapnel under closer inspection . There is a ring around the base of the prongs. Could the ring move up and down making it fold or open up ?

I’ve now seen a lot of other examples in local marinas. All on small fishing boats. There must be some technique that they use which involves its use.
My next theory is that the proliferation of homemade or very cheap (often bent) anchors on these small fishing boats is that they are always anchoring in rocky or foul places and lose more anchors than most of us.

 

[capnsensible]

Those grapnel anchors are prolific on small sports fishing boats all around Spain. Sometimes use a small length of chain but oodles of nylon line. Typically, anglers that go out for a rew hours and don't want to drift too far, from what I've seen.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

That would depend on what grade steel was used, how it was tempered, and how it was galvanised - surely? ?????

Looks like a rusty bit of rebar to me.

 

[Bajansailor]

The grapnel looks similar to what the fishermen here use - here these anchors are called 'creepers'.
The prongs are usually rebars, or varying thickness, welded to a solid round bar shank.
Or sometimes the 'shank' is a length of plastic pipe filled with concrete, and the prongs are cast in it.

These creepers are used for bottom fishing in (very) deep water - if the anchor fouls on something (very likely), then a touch of throttle on the engine will bend the snagged rebar(s) and allow the anchor to be retrieved.
All they have to do then is to put some bend back in to the fluke(s) before anchoring at the next fishing spot.

 

[john_morris_uk]

The grapnel looks similar to what the fishermen here use - here these anchors are called 'creepers'.
The prongs are usually rebars, or varying thickness, welded to a solid round bar shank.
Or sometimes the 'shank' is a length of plastic pipe filled with concrete, and the prongs are cast in it.

These creepers are used for bottom fishing in (very) deep water - if the anchor fouls on something (very likely), then a touch of throttle on the engine will bend the snagged rebar(s) and allow the anchor to be retrieved.
All they have to do then is to put some bend back in to the fluke(s) before anchoring at the next fishing spot.

Thank you for the explanation. That makes perfect sense.

 

[mjcoon]

The grapnel looks similar to what the fishermen here use - here these anchors are called 'creepers'.
The prongs are usually rebars, or varying thickness, welded to a solid round bar shank.
Or sometimes the 'shank' is a length of plastic pipe filled with concrete, and the prongs are cast in it.

These creepers are used for bottom fishing in (very) deep water - if the anchor fouls on something (very likely), then a touch of throttle on the engine will bend the snagged rebar(s) and allow the anchor to be retrieved.
All they have to do then is to put some bend back in to the fluke(s) before anchoring at the next fishing spot.

So now the utility/longevity calculation has to take fatigue strength into account!

 

[Roberto]

The grapnel looks similar to what the fishermen here use - here these anchors are called 'creepers'.
The prongs are usually rebars, or varying thickness, welded to a solid round bar shank.
Or sometimes the 'shank' is a length of plastic pipe filled with concrete, and the prongs are cast in it.

These creepers are used for bottom fishing in (very) deep water - if the anchor fouls on something (very likely), then a touch of throttle on the engine will bend the snagged rebar(s) and allow the anchor to be retrieved.
All they have to do then is to put some bend back in to the fluke(s) before anchoring at the next fishing spot.

Quite common here too, they are sometimes sold rolled in paper with all the prongs kept straight, the buyer then applies the amount of bending he deems appropriate, apparently one of the well kept fishermen secrets.