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**capngeo** · 14-03-2011, 08:19

I was just speaking to a cruising friend, and he described something he saw in the Bahamas......

An old guy who lacked a windlass/gypsy wanted an all chain rode. He had a heavy CQR Knock-off and 3/8 chain (Google says 1.67#/ft). The old timer rigged a pulley to the top eye of the anchor with an endless loop of double braid rigged to it. When he wanted to pull the anchor he would bend a bight in the line to a clip and attach that to a small ball fender. He would haul on the free running side of the loop, gaining a 2:1 advantage. If the anchor was too deeply set, he claimed he would just haul the float down a few feet so it applied constant pressure to the anchor.

Anyone ever seen this? I've been on the water over 30 years and never have!

cabo_sailor · 14-03-2011, 08:25

Are you referring to this?

Amazon.com: Anchor Float And Retrieval System: Sports & Outdoors

If so, I've seen them on a few boats but have never tried it.

Rich

**boatman61** · 14-03-2011, 08:27

Quite a few boats used similar way back when... before electric windlass's etc...
But usually just a bouy on stout line long enough to get to a winch... snags, sucky clay... that lift at the head makes a hell of a difference..

**capngeo** · 14-03-2011, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

Are you referring to this?

Amazon.com: Anchor Float And Retrieval System: Sports & Outdoors

If so, I've seen them on a few boats but have never tried it.

Rich

Nope... had one of those years ago on a powerboat! Not sure if there is enough speed through the water for a sailboat to use one of those

scook1 · 14-03-2011, 08:59

I watched a video on youtube of how this works. It seems pretty interesting, but all the videos were of powerboats. It seemed like it would be harder for a sailboat.
Spencer

delmarrey · 14-03-2011, 09:34

Here's U tube.

What a joke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwiNDQW_r08

**capngeo** · 14-03-2011, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Here's U tube.

What a joke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwiNDQW_r08

Totally different animal than what I was describing!

Blue Stocking · 14-03-2011, 09:41

Thats the rig my mooring inspection diver uses to get a few links of my 1 3/4" ground chain up off the bottom so that he can check swivels and bounce chains.

zeehag · 14-03-2011, 09:50

the most entertaining experiences at anchor i have had were watching as folks with buoys on anchors drag out of the anchorage because as the boat swings on anchor(yawing), it picks up the buoy and causes anchor to release from the mud and bye bye neighbors... quite entertaining in a tidal flow situation-- we change tides 4 times daily and the swing can be 360 degrees. buoys serve the purpose of entertainment for others, and headaches of possibly major proportions to the owner and user thereof.
buoys may be good for short term anchoring, but not for long term .