Debating Installing Anchor Rode Deck Pipe....

[TripSmith]

Hi folks! I'm trying to decide whether or not I want to install a deck pipe on the bow of my 22 Cruiser to allow me to use the anchor locker for my rode. Currently, I don't keep my primary anchor stored on the bow roller. Instead I keep the anchor and rode in a bag and generally deploy/retrieve from the cockpit when conditions are calm.

Pro's for utilizing anchor roller/rode locker
1) No more bag of anchor and rode to deal with
2) Keeping some weight forward
3) Somewhat easier deployment/retrieval

Cons for utilizing anchor roller/rode locker
1) Upon retrieval of rode/anchor, will I be able to easily get all of my rode (rope/chain) into the deck pipe while singlehanding?

Currently the way I retrieve my anchor is to pull all of the rode and anchor into the cockpit and get under power. Then I can tidy up the mess into my bag pretty quickly and be ready for the next deployment.

Not having been aboard a similar boat with the deck pipe in use, I'm uncertain how quickly the rode will be able to be put into the deck pipe. Trying to reduce my time away from the helm for when I may be anchored in a congested area.

Thanks for the input everyone!!![/list]

[C-Wolfe]

You should be able to access the rode and deck pipe from the v-berth hatch, that will give you a quick trip to the helm. Depending on deep and see condition, I normally pull as much rode as possible and still have the anchor holding, then have time to tidy up the rode and wait for the boat to be facing the direction I want to go. this work good in calm condition, not so much on windy days. Then pulling the remaining rode and getting underway goes pretty easy.

[thataway]

You will have wet and possibly foul anchor rode/chain in the forward cabin.
Can you really reach the deck pipe standing in the hatch over the v berth? depends on what type of deck pipe and where you place it,

Are you or other owner going to install a windlass? Then you have an extra hole in the deck, unless you put the deck pipe where the windlass would go.

[TripSmith]

Thanks for the input gents.

Bob, I was thinking I would place the deck pipe in the proper location for the possibility of a windlass install. Or at least try too.... If that's not possible to determine without knowing the specific windlass to be used then I may just nix the whole idea until the possibility of a windlass comes into view.

You think I would be dealing with fouled rode? It that's the case, wouldn't the same thing happen with a windlass?

[ssobol]

I have a deck pipe and single hand. I find that it is easier to get to the bow of the boat going along the side vs. through the forward hatch (less contortions). When retrieving the anchor, I usually pile the rode up on the foredeck and leave it there for awhile to dry out some before putting it back down the hawserpipe.

Yes, this is not the best way to do it in conditions like high currents or strong winds because there is a delay between stopping the boat and having the anchor deployed (or the reverse when retrieving). It can be done if you allow for the drift time when setting or retrieving the anchor, but there could be an issue if you run into problems with the anchor or rode.

[thataway]

[daninPA]

Our CD22 came with a windlass and anchor installed. When it works, it's very nice -- push a button for down, push a button for up.

But that's happened once.

The normal sequence consists of several steps:
1. Find a nice spot to anchor.
2. Push down button on windlass control.
3. Watch anchor chain pile up behind undeployed anchor.
4. Climb forward (or through the v-berth hatch) and push anchor off rollers.
5. Hear anchor bang against bow and wonder how many chips and gouges have been made in gel coat
6. Notice significant drift away from nice spot to anchor.
7. Clamber back to throttle and reposition in other nice place to anchor.
8. Climb back up and untangle anchor chain,
9. Push down anchor, watch anchor chain slide beneath waves.
10. Nod approvingly.
11. Notice drift far from second nice place to anchor.
12. Power back towards vicinity of nice place to anchor.
13. Realize anchor line is underneath hull, adjust course.
14. Keep pushing down button.
15. Scramble forward to help anchor line pass through windlass.
16. Check depth finder and realize the nice place to anchor water depth was 10' but are now in 40' of water.
17. Slowly motor away from 40' depth area.
18. Watch sonar as bottom comes up very quickly.
19. Panic. Full reverse stop.
20. Wait in place until anchor seems to hold.
21. Smile approvingly when anchor line points into the wind and waves.
22. Check shoreline for landmarks to identify drift.
23. Choose another landmark when selected landmark disappears.
24. Notice boat making a wake despite idle power.
25. Check GPS for speed indication.
26. Congratulate self when speed indicates 0.0 knots.
27. Wonder if anchor will hold.
28. Do something (fish, read, sunbathe, clean)
29. Wonder if anchor will hold.
30. Delay pulling up anchor until ready to repeat steps 1-27 in reverse.

Otherwise, it's a great feature!

[thataway]

[daninPA]