Launch bow anchor from stern

[jstates]

Just ordered Lewmar Pro Fish 700 this afternoon w 30 foot of 1/4" G4- using the one day only Thanksgiving sale 15% off [West Marine on line] - in case anyone is interested. Thanks for all the anchor and windlass comments on this site.

However my sailing friends told me about a solo Canadian power boater that was efficient at launching his bow anchor and chain from the cockpit. [It was still attached to bow via 3 strand that ran back to chain and anchor in bucket in cockpit. Once anchor is deployed the rode is pulling off the bow anchor pulpit and bow cleat.

He watched him do this I think at Montague Harbor.
[I understand the risks of attaching anchor rode to stern, and the value of having the anchor and chain wt in the bow.]
Any thoughts about this might be appreciated. I know its important to be careful about not fowling the prop.

Jim

[Mighty Bite]

A friend of mine guided out of Ninilchik, AK, and did the same anchor bit
on an '85 Angler and got along fine with this method. A bit of a pain in the
ass when compared with a windlass, but it worked for him. He wound up
with two lines running from the cockpit to the bow roller and tieing off
to a cleat by the cabin bulkhead. (Won't replace a windlass) Guiding with
the boat he put lots of time on it and didn't find it to be a major problem.
The bucket/anchor, et all, in the cockpit got in the way a bit, especially with
a boat full of clients. When ready to git and go he'd just move out and
jockey the boat so someone could grab the line with a pole hook and then
the fun starts for the lucky guy who volunteered to haul on the anchor line,
while 'ole Captain Bill pulled some nap time. Amazing how many of those
folks eagerly fought for the privilege of horsing the anchor in. A lot of his
fishers were one or seldom timers. Repeat customers were pretty spooky
about raising their hand!

[Jack in Alaska]

I did the same procedure for years as described by 3rd Byte on my 1983 classic and also out of Ninilchik. Had no problems with it. Never had to go up on the deck with that process.
I stored the line and anchor in a tall rectangular rubbermaid can in the stbd. side rear corner with a cutting board (multi-use)attached to the lid.
My present CD has a walk around cabin so accessing the front deck for dealing with the anchor is both convenient and safe.

[thataway]

There are also people who use an "Anchor ball" to pull the anchor from the cockpit. Unfortuantely there is also a very vivid discription when a crew member put the engine in gear as the line was being retrieved, and his father was pulled overboard and mangled by the prop.

I have often deployed stern anchors, along with the bow--and still do much of the time when anchoring. It will keep the bow into wind and waves, it will allow more boats to anchor in a given area. It keeps your stern near or on the beach, so you can step off into shoal water. Lots of advantages.

But a windlass serves a number of purposes--including making it much easier on your back. Also consider that you may be pulling muddy line and chain into your cockpit (also may smell bad)--you have to deal with holding the chain off the side of the boat, so it does not damage the gel coat on the gunnel. You have to make sure that the anchor does not gouge the side of the boat as you bring it aboard.

These are reasons I have been using windlasses for the last 45 years of boating.

[Rwinemaker]

I use the windlass most often but I also use a Columbia River style anchor with orange ball at times. The method I use requires a long bow line able to be tied off on the aft cleat. A pulley with a caribiner attached goes on the line before tieing off to the aft cleat. The caribiner is attached to the end of the anchor line and the anchor line is then paid out. The pulley which is aft when the anchor is dropped then moves forward where it stays until you want to bring it in or disconnect the caribiner. You do this by motoring forward. When the anchor is retrieved you motor forward until the anchor puller brings the anchor to the surface. You then bring in the line stowing it as you go. Finally, bring the anchor you are done.