Anchor Release hookup

breausaw

New member
I’ve not found a discussion here on rigging a release hookup for a Bruce anchor.
Rig your chain to attach at the claw end with a shackle, run the chain along the shaft and secondary attachment (braided cord) at the end of the shank; it serves as a break-away should your anchor get snagged.
I’d be rigging this up to a 16.5 Bruce clone, if someone has experience here what do you use for the release? You need something strong enough to hold the boat but weak enough to break away if the anchor hangs up. Probable only use this on rocky bottom while fishing not on the hook at night.
The other line of thought is; go with a extra strong double braid anchor line & if you get hung down just pull it till its straight up & down, cleat it off, and put the power to it.
 
Opinions will vary and mine usually seems to vary farther than most!
I went through all this when rigging our 25ftr and decided on the 1/2 inch double braid. The advice of my commercial fishing buddies won over the advice you may get here. 3 strand stretches, yea and it makes hockles too. In any given size the 3 strand will have a lower rating and the braid is much more user friendly, I get an entire shot (600ft) in my locker.
I too am running a 16 lb Bruce along with 30 ft of stainless chain. When day fishing I let er down and don't bother setting it as the weight alone holds fine. In fact coupled with a smaller stern anchor, this same tactic works well in most anchorages for overnight stay.
As to the hang up factor, it's a crap shoot! I don't think my boat is strong enough for much Powering against a cleat, but then again We have not needed anything so extreme.
Mike
 
Zipties are cheap and predictable. Use some, test it out, and adjust the number predictably and repeatedly in the future, based on conditions. Or, as you say, use stout nylon and be prepared to cut the whole thing off and count it as a loss - rope, anchor & the whole shootin' match. C.W.
 
I attach the main rode to the shank end with a shackle and at the claw end attach a (much shorter) polypro line attached to a milk jug for a float. Stuck anchor, just motor over to the jug and pull away. Just another way to get the job done.

Jay
 
I am reluctant to put the primary shackle of any anchor to the crown, where it can be pulled out directly. The worry is if the wind or current shifts and then the tie/cord breaks and the anchor pulls out.

The few times when there might be a question of an anchor being stuck under a coral head or rock ledge, we put a trip line (float) on the crown of the anchor.
 
Here's a drawing and a discussion of scowing from Holidays All Over.com.au

handling_scowing.gif


Anchor rigged for 'rock' when there is a definite danger of snagging

This is not an anchoring method to be used by a 'bareboat' skipper unless the experience is there to do it correctly...and under no circumstances would you do this if anchoring overnight...But would be permissible for a day anchorage.

Shackle the chain to the anchor crown (called 'scowing') - then run the chain along the shank and seize it to the anchor ring with rope yarn. Should the anchor foul, on weighing, the surging will part the rope yarn under vertical strain, and the anchor can be heaved out crown first.

Scowing should only be used when someone will be on board the boat in constant attendance...and should never be used if the anchorage is rough, the tugging on the anchor may break the binding causing the anchor to 'break out' and the boat to drift.

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C-Green":6iya7ubb said:
I attach the main rode to the shank end with a shackle and at the claw end attach a (much shorter) polypro line attached to a milk jug for a float. Stuck anchor, just motor over to the jug and pull away. Just another way to get the job done.

Jay

This is what I intended to do but got negative response from Alaska Power Boating form.
 
oldgrowth":3q6jwr6k said:
Joe - shorten your url so I don't have to scroll sideways so many times to follow this thread.
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Dave dlt.gif

Dave-

I tried to do the Key Words trick with it, but it wouldn't work that way, so I had to include the whole shootin' match address. Don't know why?????

Also, this thread is five miles wide, and I have to scroll from San Francisco to Savanna to read it all. What's up with that? And I've tried both Safari and Firefox with the same results! ???

Joe.
 
Sea Wolf":1d71atrj said:
Dave-

I tried to do the Key Words trick with it, but it wouldn't work that way, so I had to include the whole shootin' match address. Don't know why?????

Also, this thread is five miles wide, and I have to scroll from San Francisco to Savanna to read it all. What's up with that? And I've tried both Safari and Firefox with the same results! ???

Joe.
Joe - the reason you have to scroll is because of your long url. Just copy Joe's Link and put into your post and it will work. Usually when they don't work, it is because you have a space in the code somewhere. Most of the time it is after the = or just before the closing ].

Joe's Link

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Dave dlt.gif
 
A trip line and float fastened to the claw end of the anchor will work, but a floating line can be snagged by a passing boat or dingy and pull your anchor for you.

I would use a sinking line and mark the float 'anchor do not pull'.

The trip line and float can also be used to mark your anchor location in crowed anchorages so that you can keep folks from dropping their hook on top of yours. In Squirrel cove, Desolation Sound, B C I used a small fender marked as above as a float and numerous dinghys came motoring close by to see if they had found a 'free' fender.

Unless you know in advance that the anchorage is an 'anchor grabber', I think the float and trip line is more trouble than it's worth. However, if you need to mark your anchor location, some lightweight fish line and a fishing float would do the job.
 
I agree a "breakaway anchor" should not be used for overnights. But, otherwise, they are standard practice in many areas in the PNW for daytime use. If you are not going to use them, then, as I said, be prepared to cut your whole system away and definitely, carry an entire back up system - anchor, shackles, line etc. C.W.
 
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