How to anchor 16' C-Dory

[Don Hynes]

We haven't had to anchor yet, always docked our boat. But we're heading into the San Juans and may need to do so. We have an anchor in the hold space below the seating that is tied on to a heavy chain and rope, but there's no obvious way to get it to the bow other than walk along the very slim deck and noting to tie on to but the cleats on either side of the bow we use for bow lines. Any suggestions?

[Wandering Sagebrush]

[Marco Flamingo]

My boat came with a bow roller, but nothing else on deck besides a center cleat, so there was now way to store anything up front. My boat didn't come with an anchor and I don't think the prior owner ever anchored.

I anchor all the time, so even though my system seems complex for a 16 foot boat, I use it all the time and never have to go forward on to the bow. The idea of carrying an anchor and line forward on a 6" side deck when solo in a remote anchorage was a nonstarter for me.

It is basically a deck block that sends the rode down into the area in front of the v berth (could be similar on the Angler model) and then another block directs the rode back towards the cockpit. That allows me to drop and retrieve the anchor without leaving the helm. I don't use the center cleat on the bow to secure the rode and never have to go forward. Pictures are in my photo album under Modifications: Ground Tackle.

Part of what makes the system work is my weighted anchor rode. It drops like lead because it has lead inside of the rope. No chain required, but I do have to check the line to make sure that there isn't any significant wear. I probably have the rest of the roll around if you need some lead line.