Sunday, December 8, 2013

Big Duck's Ground Tackle.

Big Duck carries four anchors.

13# Rocna Fisherman is the main anchor. I wanted an anchor that is light enough to be easily manhandled. These rollbar anchors set very quickly.

22# Claw. This used to be my primary anchor but I found it just a little too heavy, especially since we sometimes anchor 4 or 5 times a day.

Rocna on fold up pulpit (so it doesn't hit the van when trailering) and claw stowed on stanchion.
30# Danforth type. This one came with the boat. I doubt it's ever been in the water?
The anchor 'tube' also holds the dinghy oars and scrub-brush. The smaller tube holds a rolled up mat for puppy potty.
5# folding grapnel. Dinghy anchor or heaving weight for tying a line to shore.
Canvas bag between life ring and freezer, containing grapnel and l00' of 3/8" line.


My line locker has:


150' of 1/2" and 250' of 5/8.
The 1/2" is my primary rode and is always shackled (without chain) to the Rocna on the pulpit.
No Chain On My Rode
The other end of the 1/2" line is shackled to the 5/8" line. The other end of the 5/8" line is readily accessible and can be quickly shackled to the claw. I'm not a fan of using more than one anchor at a time except in high current tidal areas - then it's only Bahamian...never a stern anchor.

All my lines have markers so I can tell how much scope is out and because I have a short brain, the primary end of each line is labeled with the full length.

Remember - if the line is too short, you can splice on another one...but if it's too long - you're out of luck.