Why does anything simple to do with sailing becomes so complicated

[sailingrbg]

I have a 25lb CQR anchor and had severe problems trying to stow in my anchor locker. It could take about 10 to 15mins on the "hard stand" to get the anchor out of the locker, who knows how long it would take on a bouncing foredeck. As I was unhappy regarding this I decided that it would be better to have my 15lb CQR connected to the chain and housed in the anchor locker thereby able to deploy quickly.
I bought a new stainless steel swivel connection initially for the 25LB anchor (for 8mm chain) but it was too small to fit the anchor. I have a major problem trying to get a shackle that will fit the anchor and at the same time attach to 8mm chain. I am currently looking at deploying three shackles in order to fit the anchor and scale them down to fit the chain. The anchor is somewhat old although in good condition. I originally had to cut off the existing connection to fit the swivel (additionally I think the original connection being about 4" long was part of the problems trying to stow the anchor due to the increased length)

Anyone had similar problems or can offer any advice much appreciated

 

[flaming]

Don't worry, someone will be along soon to sell you a new anchor that has none of these problems, and also comes with built in beer fridge.

 

[sailingrbg]

Come to think of it I could do with a few beers then the anchor problem would go away (or at least until hangover kicks in)

 

[Salty John]

I think I might be missing something here; I attach my anchor to the chain with a bow shackle. I don't know what size the hole in your anchor shank is but an 8mm stainless bow shackle has a break load of 2800 kg and a 6mm shackle has a break load of 1800 kg. Does neither of these fit your anchor shank hole?

 

[Guest]

Use 2 of these back to back:

http://www.western-marine.com/p21-60/p50-4.jpg

The pins go through the anchor and through the chain eye. The pin should be the same diameter as the chain metal.

Is it that the anchor is too wide or the hole too far from the end?

Mine are just locked up with torque but there are other options. The good part is that they do not get stuck through the anchor roller.

 

[Danny Jo]

[ QUOTE ]
I bought a new stainless steel swivel connection

[/ QUOTE ] These are great if you want to lose your anchor. Check it carefully. If the two halves are connected by a threaded bolt (look in from both ends - you'll see the slotted head of the countersunk bolt in one of them), don't bet your life on it. Mine simply came unscrewed leaving me with an anchor chain attached to half a stainless steel swivel connector.