I did purchas a 10 lb. Navy Stockles to use as a lunch hook. I will only have about 50ft of line. I think it would be nice to eat lunch while siting at the table, instead of at the helm. The water depth that I expect would only be about 10-20ft. There will only be a slight current. I do have a regular Danforth on the bow . Is there anything wrong with using a midship cleat. It would only be for a couple hours. Neal
Lunch Anchor
- Thread starter POSSUMGAS
- Start date
The stockless is a pretty conventional anchor, so it would depend on the bottom where you're anchoring. I would think you will have more pull on the anchor, anchoring from the mid-cleat in any current. In 20 feet of water, 50' of rode will give you less than a 3:1 purchase. I understand the premise of a "lunch hook", but I also like to stay put when I put an anchor down.
Add any wind to the current, and the mid-cleat point could turn into anywhere from bow to stern. I have stern anchored, but ONLY for a short time, in very benign conditions, and when I am right there to keep an eye on things... generally to get some breeze in the cockpit. With those conditions in mind, you can choose to anchor from almost any point on the boat, but I would think you're going to "sail" around a lot more from the mid-cleat.
Not knowing where you intend and under what conditions, I guess I tend to lean towards more typical anchoring techniques. Your mileage and anchoring may vary.
Keep us posted.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Add any wind to the current, and the mid-cleat point could turn into anywhere from bow to stern. I have stern anchored, but ONLY for a short time, in very benign conditions, and when I am right there to keep an eye on things... generally to get some breeze in the cockpit. With those conditions in mind, you can choose to anchor from almost any point on the boat, but I would think you're going to "sail" around a lot more from the mid-cleat.
Not knowing where you intend and under what conditions, I guess I tend to lean towards more typical anchoring techniques. Your mileage and anchoring may vary.
Keep us posted.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Agree with Jim. In know that you expect only a minimal current, but a midship anchor point might leave you open to being broadsided by unexpected winds, waves, and wakes! At the minimum, you might roll enough to make all the drawers fly out.
Also, 50 foot of line in 20 foot of water would not inspire confidence with most types of bottom.
Also, 50 foot of line in 20 foot of water would not inspire confidence with most types of bottom.
Rather than messing with a lunch hook, my advice would be to work on the usability of your main anchor, and use it all the time. (1) you get more proficient (and faster) at using it; (2) you have less to carry around; and (3) you have a better anchor.
My $0.02, FWIW (i.e., $0.00 :xseek ).
Warren
My $0.02, FWIW (i.e., $0.00 :xseek ).
Warren
patrick and linda
New member
for several years i have used a 10lb mushroom anchor, 50' line, as a stern anchor. keeps the boat from swaying side to side. can't imagine why the same device wouldn't work as a temporary lunch anchor. with good visual of your surroundings you should be able to determine how much slippage is occurring. with light wind and current even slight slippage shouldn't be a problem, remember you're just having lunch and not taking a nap.
pat
pat
starcrafttom
Active member
I have to agree with using your main anchor. I really dont see why folks are worried with going forward on their own boat. If you cant get around very well then open the frotn hatch all the way and stand on the v-berth. susan has trouble with her balance, well with her knee really. she's better off standing on the v-berth and can easly reach the anchor from there.
mid and stren ties are one thing in a lake or area with no current but in strong currents or rivers I would never do it. boats get sucked under on the columbia every year. My good freind cliff lost his dad from just this type of thing. and if you all remember thats how the football players got killed last year.
you always get away with it until you dont.
mid and stren ties are one thing in a lake or area with no current but in strong currents or rivers I would never do it. boats get sucked under on the columbia every year. My good freind cliff lost his dad from just this type of thing. and if you all remember thats how the football players got killed last year.
you always get away with it until you dont.
20dauntless
New member
I agree that doesn't make much sense to carry a whole separate setup just for a lunch hook. Depending on where you are though, it may make sense to have a backup anchor in case you lose your primary or you need a stern anchor.
I don't have a windlass, but am considering getting one because of back problems. This would certainly make it easy to drop the anchor and pull it up for short amounts of time. Anyone know what I can expect to pay for a windlass, including installation?
I don't have a windlass, but am considering getting one because of back problems. This would certainly make it easy to drop the anchor and pull it up for short amounts of time. Anyone know what I can expect to pay for a windlass, including installation?
All the posts are very help ful Thank you. I wuold be in calm water and little boat traffic. The bottom would be mud or sand. I was thinking of using the Navy stockless just so I dont drift. Like to use the head or just a quick bite. I am very aware of my saroundings. I do have allot of experiance with boats. I just wanted something quick and easy. Thanks.Hunky Dory
Tieing the rode to a midship cleat is, as was mentioned, highly likely to produce a fairly significant "sailing" action, unless there is no breeze or current. Neither will the boat maintain a perpendicular attitude to that line if there is any of either that breeze or current. It will put one end or the other downwind or down current.
I agree with Warren and Starcraft Tom, using the main anchor is safer and good practice. As Jim suggests, the where you are conditions do certainly have a bearing, as does the short ratio (3:1). Pat's use to decrease the anchor swing is most likely off a stern cleat, not midship, and should be adequate provided there is a continuous awareness of conditions and surroundings ie, really just a lunch break not a nap break. I would consider this use in a lake where there is no current, and in a sheltered (no breeze) position only. Tide, current or even heavy boat traffic and a wake could unhook you. Not likely to get a reset with that short rode ratio.
Welcome to the C-Brats, and Enjoy,
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
I agree with Warren and Starcraft Tom, using the main anchor is safer and good practice. As Jim suggests, the where you are conditions do certainly have a bearing, as does the short ratio (3:1). Pat's use to decrease the anchor swing is most likely off a stern cleat, not midship, and should be adequate provided there is a continuous awareness of conditions and surroundings ie, really just a lunch break not a nap break. I would consider this use in a lake where there is no current, and in a sheltered (no breeze) position only. Tide, current or even heavy boat traffic and a wake could unhook you. Not likely to get a reset with that short rode ratio.
Welcome to the C-Brats, and Enjoy,
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Hey Possum,
Jim kinda sorta nailed it for down here with heat and wind...or breeze may be a better word. We have sunshine over here often not enjoyed on the NW coast and our water temps are much higher too. So, when it gets 80+ degrees, water temps up in the 70+ range, and that gentle breeze of 5-10 blows back in the creeks and coves, a nice lunch anchor is sweet and needed in a full cabin boat that blocks the breeze when the forward main anchor is used.
On my TC24 I loved the cabin, but, in the heat, light breeze as described above, the cabin blocked the breeze. So, I made a yoke with quick clips, cleat to cleat on the transom area cleats, ( or the twin hand rails on the swim platform after I mounted them) a quick clip on a center loop of the yoke and hooked the lunch anchor rope to that. Used this same yoke to tow a boat slowly if needed. This gave me a nice enjoyable anchorage with the breeze again.
So, we have sunshine, warm waters, basically zero current, and a gentle breeze. And, for what ever could ever happen, I always keep a good knife handy to cut any of the smaller rope used for the lunch anchor.
It worked great.... but, I did not have the fancy prop-re-do gig... I had a simple I think it was a Greenfield 12 or 18lb River Anchor/mushroom type with about 5' of pre-cut color coated anchor chain.... and I just dropped this down into a 5 gallon bucket that I kept in the cockpit for cans and other trash to keep it handy and stowed when not deployed. Got ready to "go"... I put the trash that was in a trash bag under the anchor so it would not blow out, at anchor, the anchor was in the water, trash bag in the bucket, life was good, mud and stuff off the anchor and chain stayed in the bucket rather than on the cockpit floor when we brought the anchor in. Sweeeeet! :thup
Now, yall come on down and enjoy some nice, hot, summer boating. Next, after the lunch anchor is of course phase II of your training...and that is "Noodle Training." Yes, even folks from Alaska get into this as they enjoy the warmer, sunny boating. Check out Rick and Donna from the Foggy Dew crew.... Sure hate to see them depart the area...
Jim kinda sorta nailed it for down here with heat and wind...or breeze may be a better word. We have sunshine over here often not enjoyed on the NW coast and our water temps are much higher too. So, when it gets 80+ degrees, water temps up in the 70+ range, and that gentle breeze of 5-10 blows back in the creeks and coves, a nice lunch anchor is sweet and needed in a full cabin boat that blocks the breeze when the forward main anchor is used.
On my TC24 I loved the cabin, but, in the heat, light breeze as described above, the cabin blocked the breeze. So, I made a yoke with quick clips, cleat to cleat on the transom area cleats, ( or the twin hand rails on the swim platform after I mounted them) a quick clip on a center loop of the yoke and hooked the lunch anchor rope to that. Used this same yoke to tow a boat slowly if needed. This gave me a nice enjoyable anchorage with the breeze again.
So, we have sunshine, warm waters, basically zero current, and a gentle breeze. And, for what ever could ever happen, I always keep a good knife handy to cut any of the smaller rope used for the lunch anchor.
It worked great.... but, I did not have the fancy prop-re-do gig... I had a simple I think it was a Greenfield 12 or 18lb River Anchor/mushroom type with about 5' of pre-cut color coated anchor chain.... and I just dropped this down into a 5 gallon bucket that I kept in the cockpit for cans and other trash to keep it handy and stowed when not deployed. Got ready to "go"... I put the trash that was in a trash bag under the anchor so it would not blow out, at anchor, the anchor was in the water, trash bag in the bucket, life was good, mud and stuff off the anchor and chain stayed in the bucket rather than on the cockpit floor when we brought the anchor in. Sweeeeet! :thup
Now, yall come on down and enjoy some nice, hot, summer boating. Next, after the lunch anchor is of course phase II of your training...and that is "Noodle Training." Yes, even folks from Alaska get into this as they enjoy the warmer, sunny boating. Check out Rick and Donna from the Foggy Dew crew.... Sure hate to see them depart the area...
We use a claw main with a sprint 400 windlass with 20ft chain and 100ft of rope IN about 10ft of calm water (bay or sheltered water) we put down about 30-40 ft of chain and rope then for good measure we use a rear danforth for the beach anchor .
I like having a windlass for these pilot house boats it's a lot easier and safer . Just save up for Christmas and give yourselfs a nice present a new windlass and use it and call it good that will be your lunch ,dinner, and sleep anchor
I like having a windlass for these pilot house boats it's a lot easier and safer . Just save up for Christmas and give yourselfs a nice present a new windlass and use it and call it good that will be your lunch ,dinner, and sleep anchor
Hi Roger,
I considered mentioning the windlass in my original reply, but that wasn't in the question. The windlass has made our anchoring SO much easier and convenient. I used to use a lighter anchor as a "lunch hook" on our sailboats because it was less work. I still have the manual windlass I had back then, but she is MUCH happier when it comes to anchoring these days. 8)
I put a strap on the anchor when we're trailering and take it off before the boat goes in the water. We've never had an unintentional anchor drop with the windlass and I want that anchor available to drop, right now if necessary.
We have found that we use the anchor a LOT more with the C-Dory. Of course, when you're sailing, there is also the issue of dropping and securing sails... so even a quick "lunch stop" takes more time and effort.
I anchor by myself frequently... from the helm. When we're cruising, Joan still goes to the bow when we drop or haul the anchor, mostly to give me instructions. Only if the anchor rode is fouled with weeds or something is it necessary to put on gloves.
So, no, we don't secure the anchor/rode when underway, but I understand why some do. When we have our anchor out, we do secure the rode to the bow cleat so the windlass isn't holding the chain/line. If I don't have all the chain out (in really shallow water), I have a hook on a line to clip into the chain and tie it off to the cleat.
Best wishes,
Jim
I considered mentioning the windlass in my original reply, but that wasn't in the question. The windlass has made our anchoring SO much easier and convenient. I used to use a lighter anchor as a "lunch hook" on our sailboats because it was less work. I still have the manual windlass I had back then, but she is MUCH happier when it comes to anchoring these days. 8)
I put a strap on the anchor when we're trailering and take it off before the boat goes in the water. We've never had an unintentional anchor drop with the windlass and I want that anchor available to drop, right now if necessary.
We have found that we use the anchor a LOT more with the C-Dory. Of course, when you're sailing, there is also the issue of dropping and securing sails... so even a quick "lunch stop" takes more time and effort.
I anchor by myself frequently... from the helm. When we're cruising, Joan still goes to the bow when we drop or haul the anchor, mostly to give me instructions. Only if the anchor rode is fouled with weeds or something is it necessary to put on gloves.
So, no, we don't secure the anchor/rode when underway, but I understand why some do. When we have our anchor out, we do secure the rode to the bow cleat so the windlass isn't holding the chain/line. If I don't have all the chain out (in really shallow water), I have a hook on a line to clip into the chain and tie it off to the cleat.
Best wishes,
Jim
starcrafttom
Active member
Now that we have the windless we don't have to go forward at all but still do some times. I don't yet have a swivel on the anchor chain so I have to keep a eye on it. I have a pin to keep the anchor in place and use it on the water until the first time I anchor.
I am very comfortable anywhere on my boat. on the roof, forward ,standing on the swim platform. I often use the motor for a seat when we are just hanging out. Susan feels very safe standing in the hatch when see has to work forward. which brings up another topic. Female boat handling. and for that matter boat handling in general.
Susan and I both practice running and docking the boat by our selves. I will just sit and watch as she docks with out help at all. she has to figure out how to approach and tie up with out assistance from anyone. We will be doing the same thing with anchoring for both of us. If you cant dock or anchor your boat alone you should not have one. Sorry but that's how I feel about it boats under 30 ft. For me this is a safety issue. Now the way I dock, because of my mobility, is a lot different than how Susan may do it or some one that is older. you have to find what works for you. I set up different when I am alone on the boat then when Susan is with me, work smarter not harder.
I am very comfortable anywhere on my boat. on the roof, forward ,standing on the swim platform. I often use the motor for a seat when we are just hanging out. Susan feels very safe standing in the hatch when see has to work forward. which brings up another topic. Female boat handling. and for that matter boat handling in general.
Susan and I both practice running and docking the boat by our selves. I will just sit and watch as she docks with out help at all. she has to figure out how to approach and tie up with out assistance from anyone. We will be doing the same thing with anchoring for both of us. If you cant dock or anchor your boat alone you should not have one. Sorry but that's how I feel about it boats under 30 ft. For me this is a safety issue. Now the way I dock, because of my mobility, is a lot different than how Susan may do it or some one that is older. you have to find what works for you. I set up different when I am alone on the boat then when Susan is with me, work smarter not harder.