Weigh hey, it's anchors again

[KREW2]

My dilemma is I don't have an anchor locker that is accessible from the deck, and when racing you are not allowed to have it hanging over the bow roller.
It's a bloomin nuisance having it tied down on the deck at the bow, and gets in the way.
I'm happy to take it below, bring it up and site it over the bow roller when I go cruising, but shackling it on and mousing it every time would be a pain.
Googling has revealed nothing, so does anyone know of a carabiner type fitting that is quick and safe to snap onto an anchor.

 

[ANDY_W]

Try googling " quick link ". I use these for my anchor connections so that I can change types
of anchor if necessary.

You will probably need a " D " shackle on the chain and anchor so that you can use a quick link
with sufficient strength to match that of the chain.

I have a very small adjustable spanner ( pocket size )which I can use to tighten it.

I wouldn't recommend them for those who like to spend days at a time at anchor, but for
occasional use should be fine.

Andy

 

[J Neeves]

Maybe I missed the point but how difficult is it to screw in a shackle pin and mouse it with a cable tie, or even monel. I agree that it might be slower than a snap shackle but it will also be safer (unless you have a real monster of a snap shackle).

You deploy rode, say 2m. You lift rode over lifelines and bring it on deck, next to anchor - now the choice is a shackle or snap shackle - you secure and lower anchor to length of originally deployed 2m length. The reversal is slightly more difficult as you have to lift the anchor over the lifelines - but it does not matter shackle or snap shackle - its the same.

I must have missed something.

Jonathan

 

[KREW2]

Taking the anchor chain over the pulpit is a good idea, it will much easier than trying to feed it through underneath with the anchor on.

If I was to go ashore, or stay over night I would definitely use a moused, tested shackle.
I only want a quick fix for just dropping the hook for a couple of hours, with me staying on board, so I have just ordered a 12ml galvanised quick link.

 

[J Neeves]

As I test anchors I swap my anchors very frequently (and it is a pain) and I do as I suggest (with a slight variation). I first take a bit of rope from the bow over the pulpit and fish it back and tie to the anchor. I tie the other end to the pulpit, or a deck cleat (to stop it falling into the sea). I then drop the anchor so that the rode length is comfortably sufficient to pull it onto the deck. I then retrieve the lot with the rope. I do the same in reverse, lowering the anchor down with the rope. Its much easier on the hands this way than to faff about with a boat hook to catch the chain and then pull the chain in by hand (or its easier for those who care for their hands!

I keep the same bit of rope attached to a bow cleat permanently. Its the right length and always tied on and it stows neatly, you would find some way to do something similar.

The only variation you might want to think of is a mat (bag?, heavy duty fishing keep net?) to sit the anchor on when you get it onto the bow, saves scratching the gel coat. If you could put it straight into a bag it would help to carry it down the side deck and store below.

Jonathan

 

[KREW2]

Thanks for the tips.
I have an old canvas sail bag that will do the trick.