What is this pls.

[roland stockham]

The big advantage with mushrooms is there is nothing to catch. They are very popular as river anchors where the bottom is foul with anything from tree branches to old shopping trolleys. Also good for setting a diving lie when you want one to follow down or flag an active dive area. Trying to free a fouled anchor in a small dingy can lead to the dingy joining the anchor on the bottom rather than the anchor joining the dingy on the surface!

[Cadence]

An anchor sally.

[boatman61]

Old sounding lead.. note indent at bottom to hold tallow or wax for picking up bottom sample..

[soerencarlsen]

Hi TP
The boat was imported from the us about 10years ago and now lives in Denmark, and I got it for about 8 months ago, that's the reason I still find bits here and there in the boat. 44' 16 tons
Søren

[Stu Jackson]

Kellet and/or dinghy anchor.

[TrentePieds]

Quote "44' 16 tons"

:-) Well, she'll be pretty sticky-down for a lot of Danish waters. Don't get yourself stuck up Seden Fladstrand or any place like that!

Håber du får en masse glæde af båden :-)!

TP

[JPA Cate]

The mushroom anchors are also less likely to tear up coral reefs, if you're diving there--probably not a problem in Denmark.

Ann

[Bayou Sailor]

It’s called a river anchor. It’s made for small fishing boats in mud bottom water.

[Sailorbob8599]

It is a Mushroom Anchor and the small size means it was intended for a dinghy or even a "Lunch Hook" but, I believe Noelex was probably right when suggesting it was used as a Kellet. This is supported by the heavy chain & yet, I believe most people would not use a chain on a Kellet.
Basically what we are saying here is the Heavy Chain & Small Anchor are a mismatch. So take your pick.
I would not dispose of it because it's one of those items that just might become a "lifesaver" ... bad choice of words 'cos it won't float ... but someday, you may just need something to get you out of a problem, such as a temporary lunch-hook anchor, or a Kellet, to help relieve wave shock on the main anchor line.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Sailorbob8599

I>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


>>>>>>>>>


or a Kellet, to help relieve wave shock on the main anchor line.

I use our kellet more often in wind against tide situations where even light winds can end up having the anchor rode get a keel wrap. It keeps the rode (line not chain in my case) down when the tide turns and avoids keel wraps.

[SV Sailfish]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Depth sounder/bottom tester..
Melt some wax onto underside then drop off bow.. haul back in after it hits botton and examine for sand.. gravel.. shell or mud..

And here I thought it was a device to rid yourself of unruly crew. Darn.

[Jim Cate]

OK, I'll chime in with my opinion:

Clearly not a sounding lead, for the chain is inappropriate for that usage.

Not a useful kellet, for it is nowhere near heavy enough to be useful in this application.

Certainly not useful to anchor even a small cruising boat, not for a lunch hook and surely not for unattended anchoring. Ridiculously undersized for such purposes.

This leaves dinghy anchor as a likely previous usage, and a poor choice at that. Mushroom anchors have VERY low holding power when used as short term anchors, and in such small sizes they are not useful even for longer terms. Dinghy anchors need to be burying types to be very useful unless their only application is on a beach* where you can hand bury them... and even there, the tiny mushroom will not work well at all. A small Danforth type or a shiny new Mantus dink anchor will serve better in all applications.

So, in my not so humble opinion, not worth keeping on board.

Jim

* Someone posted above that the only time you need a dinghy anchor is on or near a beach. Perhaps so for some, but we routinely use ours while snorkeling, far from a beach. And they are a safety device should you lose power or break an oar in an offshore breeze... in such a case, a decent burying anchor might save your life, and that pathetic mushroom would be bouncing along the bottom as you head for the horizon!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by sailormed

Mushroom anchor, maybe for the dinghy.

This^

But not a very good one, toss it in the free stuff bin at a marina and get a good dinhy anchor. Even a grapnel is better than a mushroom.

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by soerencarlsen

Hi all
found this in the bottom of a locker, I do think it has something to do with anckoring but not sure, have never seen it before, it is heavy, maybe lead. with a bit of chain and rope.

thanks Soren

Yes, looks like a rather small mushroom anchor compared to the size of the chain and the rope.


I don't think it's a lead line, way too big for that; and too small and wrong setup lines for a kellet.

[hzcruiser]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

Trying to free a fouled anchor in a small dingy can lead to the dingy joining the anchor on the bottom rather than the anchor joining the dingy on the surface!

Good one! LOL.