Anchor locker too small, so...?

[Drifter]

My 26X came with an over-sized canoe anchor, which I've swapped for a 10 kg (22lb) Danworth type.

That's too big for the anchor locker, which seems ridiculously shallow, so I'm wondering what you guys use and how you store them?

At the moment I've stuck a PVC pipe on the bow railings. It's a bit too big (100mm) and I've ordered a slightly smaller (67mm) stainless steel pipe.

I need to add some more chain, as there's only about 6ft of chain. I'd like to add more to help use a buoy. But yeah, the locker seems too small?

Photos of what you guys n gals are using would be helpful?

[Tomfoolery]

I have a Fortress FX-7, which is their smallest. It's only 4 lb, but it's aluminium. And that small anchor holds like nobody's business. You do have to change the fluke angle between sand (32°) and mud (45°), and the wrong angle doesn't work very well in the wrong bottom.

I've had it stuck in mud where I've had to 'drive over it' to get it free. It's just a puny fluke anchor, and the biggest anchor that fits that locker, but when it holds, it holds.

Not trying to sell you on any particular anchor, but it's about the only style that fits in there, and the only size in that style (similar to 9-11 lb steel fluke anchors), so if using the locker for the actual anchor, choices are pretty limited.

With a bow holder of some sort, I'd go with one of the next gen roll bar types, like Rocna, Mantis, and Manson Supreme, or the highly regarded (and expensive) Spade anchor, which has no hoop. They're better at resetting with wind/current direction changes than the Danforth style fluke anchors, but they don't fold flat so they need a bow roller or other holder type.

[Inquisitor]

I have a Fortress FX-11. Its the largest model that fits in the locker.

[svscott]

I have a Fortress FX-11. Its the largest model that fits in the locker.

My 26X came to me with a brand new Fortress FX11 and it does not fit in the anchor locker. Until I come up with something better, the anchor, chain, and rode are just sitting in the head. I too would like to come up with a better option that doesn't involve hanging the anchor from the pulpit, where it may foul the spinnaker or lines. I haven't looked at it seriously to see if it'll work but I'm considering modifying the anchor locker so it'll actually fit the Fortress anchor.

I rarely anchor my 26D, partly because it's inconvenient, and partly because I'm not very experienced anchoring. On that boat, I have a 3" x 24" pvc tube that I'll sometimes hose clamp to the pulpit at the dock when I know we're going to anchor, but I normally keep the pvs tube and 14 lb and a backup 10 lb Danforth anchor in the lazarette with 30 'of chain and 100' of nylon rode on each.
I don't like that too much because it can be tough to quickly access the anchors in the lazarette plus it adds weight to the already too heavy stern.

[NiceAft]

I have two anchors.

In the anchor locker I keep a Danforth, some chain & rode. I only use it in calm, shallow waters, never for overnight anchorages.

I keep a 12lb Delta anchor, 30' of chain, and 200' of rode in the V-berth.

[Inquisitor]

... You do have to change the fluke angle between sand (32°) and mud (45°) ...

I guess I've been lucky. I've only anchored in sand. I didn't know it was adjustable or that I should.

Silly me... thinking I fully understood how to use an anchor.

step A - tie rope to anchor.
step B - tie other end to boat.
step C - throw in water.

Who knew?

[Jimmyt]

step A - tie rope to anchor.
step B - tie other end to boat.
step C - throw in water.

Preferably, in that exact order...

[Inquisitor]

I gave up trying to figure it out... I had to look it up on-line.
But I lost my man-card having to read the directions.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I don't keep an anchor in my 26X anchor locker (my Mac 19 doesn't have one). I don't recommend keeping your anchor on the bow pulpit as there is a chance that you'll snag your headsail on it (speaking from experience). I have a 26M mast carrier on the stern of both boats, with a SS Sealux Stanchion anchor bracket/holder ($42.50 w/free shipping from Amazon). Or, you can just put it in one of your gas lockers.
I prefer to keep my anchor back by the cockpit when I'm single-handing, with the anchor line going forward inside the shrouds (cleated to a stern cleat), thru the anchor roller on my 26X/thru the starboard bow cleat on my 19, and aft outside the shrouds to the anchor(s). If I need an anchor right now, I don't have to leave the safest part of the boat to go up on deck and get my anchor. I just throw it overboard and have 26'/19' +/- of anchor line out and can adjust the length, as needed, from the cockpit.
Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL

[Drifter]

Not trying to sell you on any particular anchor

Sold! Just ordered an FX7 from Amazon. Heaps of money but hopefully worth it.

Bill, I love your idea of keeping the anchor in the cockpit but with lines running forward! I can use the stainless steel pipe I've ordered to hang the thing off the back, and make use of the sideways roller the PO has fitted.

My plan is to use an anchor ball and ring to retrieve, rather than going forward and messing with that weird windlass on my boat. I still don't really understand how you're supposed to use an anchor-winch that can only tighten and doesn't release?

If I can use the ball to bring it up then it's easy enough to pull it to the back and store it there again while actually sailing. Sweet! I will be keeping the little FX7 in the anchor locker most of the time, but the cockpit thing sounds seriously useful, especially single-handed or with people not really familiar with anchoring.

[Drifter]

Talking of the anchor locker, I have discovered a Turkish couple on Youtube with a 26X. All KINDS of modifications on that, including the anchor locker.

What they seem to have done is basically made it taller, rather than digging down deeper, and then added a windlass on top of the raised locker.

That gives you room to store the rope and chain, and since you're modifying the bow anyway, you can fiberglass the thing to make it strong, rather than just slapping a windlass onto the locker door (I have seen someone do that...)

It sure won't be this year but I am very interested in that concept. My early X has the bow light on the bow itself but that a light can be fitted to the pulpit, so a roller could go there too...

It would be a major job, a bit beyond my comfort zone. I'll wait and see how I get on with the pig-ugly windlass, sideways roller and the on-order Fortress.

Hoping to launch in March...

[NiceAft]

Since this thread contains anchor suggestions , I thought this article from the West Marine archives would be appropriate.
https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Anchor-Testing

I split off anchor discussion to a new topic, "Which Anchor Do You Use".

"Anchor Locker too small" discussions should continue here. Post anchor discussions to the new topic.

[ris]

We use a 15 lb manson supreme, 30 ft chain and the rest is 1/2 3 strand nylon. With about 200 nights on anchor we have only pulled loose once. We actually sailed past the anchor in about 35 knots of wind hitting our enclosure on the beam. Boat even heeled over once we started the engine and the wind died down we pulled the anchor up and it was a ball of clay bigger than the hoop of the anchor. Took a while to clean it off. I think there are one or two better anchors now but we still have confidence in the manson supreme. Our backup is a Fortress FX11. We store it under the removable box which is the table aft seat. We used it once just to check it out and it held no problem. Most of the anchor tests are with heavy boats or at fast backdowns. Most of the boats weigh 15,000 lbs or more not 3500 like a loaded Mac.


Richard

[NiceAft]

I split off anchor discussion to a new topic, "Which Anchor Do You Use".

"Anchor Locker too small" discussions should continue here. Post anchor discussions to the new topic.

[Neo]

I have a Plough Anchor and a Fortress FX-7 (which came with my Mac).
I bought the Plough because most sailors on my lake use one ... But I actually hate it! (Dam heavy and keeps biting my fingers ) so I can't wait to follow Tom's recommendation (from many moons back) and use the Fortress FX-7.... with lots of heavy chain of course