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Anchor Floats

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/15/2009 : 07:49:46

What are folks using for anchor floats? I have heard of everything from nothing at all to deflateable things (rubber ball/beachball in a net bag) to expensive buoys to empty bleach bottles.

I picked up a an oversized tennis ball and was planning on tying a rope through it or puttin git in a net bag, but it will take up a lot of space onboard. now I am looking at the dodgeball/yogaball/beachball option as a valid alternative.

The way I see it the float is there primarily for recovery of a snagged anchor, but also to let other folks using the anchorage know where your hook is, therefore a bright colour would appear to be advantageous, right?

How long is about right for the line on one of these? I was thinking 30 ft, then tie a sheepshank to shorten it if anchored in the shallows.

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2009 : 07:59:36

Replying to myself... feels weird.

I had the idea to make the anchor float out of white PVC, and attach it to the bow pulpit via a piece of larger diameter pipe. The idea is that you make the anchor float essentially the same as a MOB pole with a very visible flag or something on the end of it, and put the boat's name on the white pipe so other folks know what boat's anchor is there. If the anchor can't be recovered, you will know the float is yours immediately when you return with gear for recovery.

I kinda like the idea, but now I have another project on my hands...

Edited by - Prospector on 07/15/2009 08:00:44

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2009 : 09:21:04

i used to use one ..west marine has a in line float (the line goes throw the center)
it was small it fit in your hand ..it was cheap too i think under $5 they came in red and yellow .

one day we were hanging out on the hook when a dingy pulls up and starts pulling up my float ..lol "ahhh hey guy thats my anchor"

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2009 : 10:00:21

^ Thanks Sean, I have one of those that I bought from a surplus store. I was hoping for something a bit bigger and easier to see though.

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glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2009 : 10:26:56

The most interesting anchor float I have seen was a duck decoy. For myself I took a 10” section of a bright colored foam floatey (sometimes called a noodle). It is hollow, and will allow a 12” wooden pole to be inserted through it. Drill a hole in the end of the pole to attach a shackle, also add some more weight so that the float remains in a vertical position when deployed. Secure this to a lanyard and adjust the length of the lanyard when attaching it to the anchor. This set up will fit inside your anchor locker.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2009 : 16:30:59

I use a gallon orange juice container. My set up is a line to the anchor, run through the container handle and then attach a weight. This holes it over the anchor and allows for tides. The weight was made using a trailer ball plastic cover with a 3/8" by three inch eyebolt cemented into it. It has work well for me for many years.

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glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2009 : 07:23:30

Great idea for the setup and weight. I may scrap my old float and try yours. One thing about the anchorage near us is the night traffic. It can be a tight area during the weekends, even with proper anchoring lights and I sometimes worry about someone coming too close to the anchor line in the dark. I wonder if using your idea for the orange jug, but putting a small light in it would help

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2009 : 07:46:50

Maybe I can get the best of both worlds...

I have the fishing float already (as described by SEAN). It would be pretty easy to put a 12" long dowel through the float, and tie a turk's head above and below to keep the rod from going all the way through. On the bottom of the dowel, a screw eye could be attached, and the line passed through it with the weight tied on. To the top I could attach a flag with the boat's name. I could even try to get white reflective sheeting to make the flag with so passers in the night would see it.

Another idea... Stick one of those solar porch lights into the fishing float as long as the weight is enough to counterbalance it...

Edited by - Prospector on 07/16/2009 07:48:53

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.