anchor rope

I am not a hardcore boat fisher. I have a 14’ Lund with a cheap bow mounted pulley/roller for a 20lb river anchor.

I keep my line in a reusable shopping bag/ soft sided box within easy reach of my seat.
 
Over the decades, I have learned about anchoring. For larger boats a roller is often the best option, or an anchor puller that utilizes a "gypsy" to guide the ground tackle into a compartment below deck. I had a 26ft Trophy that had neither. I bolted a "milk crate " to the deck, behind the bow anchor cleat. It held a ton of anchor line, chain and my anchor. It worked just fine, because I had a very strong deckhand that pulled the anchor. I was taught to ALWAYS have two anchor set ups. If you are 60 miles out, and lose your anchor...you have to go home. Everyone will eventually lose an anchor..even on a dive boat. I see so many commercial crab boats with no readily available anchor..and it just seems crazy to me. When your motor cuts out and you are getting blown into the rocks...it's nice to have a readily available anchor. I would like to add that, IMHO, one of the most dangerous aspects of boating (in general) is dealing with ground tackle.
 
I'm not big on nautical terminology (mostly silly if you ask me), however, IMHO, it is best to refer to the rope attached to the pointy end of the boat as an "anchor line". The only "rope" on a vessel is a coiled line or line that is attached to a ship's bell. Please understand, this is just good hearted ribbing.
 
In a pile by my right foot.

Added to clarify: this is a drift boat.
 
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Over the years I have seen many boats, especially in the puget sound, that have an anchor line coiled up "willy nilly" up on the bow. It looks secure at the boat slip...but in inclement weather, can easily be swept overboard and end up in your propeller. When I was using a "milk crate" as my chain locker, I had it secured to the deck and used a "bungy chord" to keep everything in place.
 
In the Kayak the anchor rope goes into the stripping basket. When I use the anchor I work it through the anchor trolley (absolutely necessary if you anchor in current or wind) before tethering to the vessel and basically have almost all ( there's a few feet of wiggle room) line out when in use. Much kinder to have most of the anchor line out, it's far more forgiving. Within arms length of my anchor line tether is a sharp diving knife...
 
I actually think the proper term for the rope used for anchor is called a "rode". You have an anchor rode and chain on the boat.

You also have the "bitter end". So if you don't have your anchor rode properly attached at the end of the line and you loose all the rode and chain, I believe your boat will come to it's bitter end.

In my 14 foot run about, I keep a pile of rope at my feet to raise and lower my anchor from my driving position. I do have my bitter end tied off too.
 
Sam Roffe said:
I actually think the proper term for the rope used for anchor is called a "rode". You have an anchor rode and chain on the boat.
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Rode is a general term and applies to anchor lines made of fiber or wire rope, chain, or any combination.

Agree with the above that more info is needed to give a good reply. What sort of boat and ground tackle are we talking about?

Loose lines (not just anchor rodes) laying around or piled willy nilly are hazardous for slipping, tripping, entangling and/or snagging. Always keep them properly stowed and secure when they are not deployed.
 
Often, the best thing to do first when you lose power is to "throw the anchor" utilizing as much line as possible.. If you are anywhere near shore (even in water much deeper than your anchor line) that anchor may very well save your vessel from running aground. If you do not have a readily available ground tackle system, it is likely that you might be tempted to skip this very important first step and begin to look at why you lost power. Throw the damn anchor... then look at the motor. That is one reason to have at least one anchor ready at all times.
 
As essential it is to be able to quickly (and safely) deploy an anchor ...it is also essential to acquire as much "trust" in that ground tackle as possible. All splices should be inspected often. All "shackles, .. etc" should be seized with stainless steel wire..... Many boaters have experienced "failed" ground tackle at very "inconvenient" times....I am one of them.
 
I don’t anchor in deep water. Managing the rope is not a problem. Off to my right side in my Outcast. Pull it up, put it off to the side, let go when you need to drop it....
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
I'm not big on nautical terminology (mostly silly if you ask me), however, IMHO, it is best to refer to the rope attached to the pointy end of the boat as an "anchor line". The only "rope" on a vessel is a coiled line or line that is attached to a ship's bell. Please understand, this is just good hearted ribbing.
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There are generally only two ropes on a boat: the bell rope (as stated) and the bolt rope, which runs up the leading edge of a sail and fits into the track int he mast.

Just sayin...
 
Somehow I think this went over the original poster head.
I hope he responds with some specifics on whether he is talking about a small inflatable, drift boat, or the Titanic. :ROFLMAO:
 
Food for thought.. once I was in very heavy seas and lost power. Probably a mile deep, and five miles from Anacapa Island. The 52 foot navy hull was severely pitching. Throwing the anchor dramatically stabilized the boat, and allowed me to change the fuel filters, and start up the engine. In short, throwing the anchor can often be a good move, even when the water depth is 5,000 ft. deep.
 
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