Tips for anchoring a 26X

[tlutz0808]

Hi folks! New 26X owner here. I anchored a few times and find the anchor locker and cleat arrangement to be cumbersome. I don't have a bow roller or anything -- just a danforth style anchor with a bit of chain and rope. I find that deploying or retrieving the anchor with the locker open is super awkward, so I started just moving all the rhode outside the locker before mucking with the anchor. It's a little bit better. When I'm retrieving the anchor in any wind it becomes difficult, especially as the boat sails from side to side.

What are your techniques (or mods) for making this easier while solo? At some point maybe a bow roller and running the line to the cockpit would be nice. That would allow use of the motor and a winch to do the retrieve.

My typical anchorage is muddy and shallow (between 2 and 10ft)

Thanks!

[Starscream]

Hi folks! New 26X owner here. I anchored a few times and find the anchor locker and cleat arrangement to be cumbersome. I don't have a bow roller or anything -- just a danforth style anchor with a bit of chain and rope. I find that deploying or retrieving the anchor with the locker open is super awkward, so I started just moving all the rhode outside the locker before mucking with the anchor. It's a little bit better. When I'm retrieving the anchor in any wind it becomes difficult, especially as the boat sails from side to side.

What are your techniques (or mods) for making this easier while solo? At some point maybe a bow roller and running the line to the cockpit would be nice. That would allow use of the motor and a winch to do the retrieve.

My typical anchorage is muddy and shallow (between 2 and 10ft)

Thanks!

After 16 years owning a 26X, all I can say is "yup". Several X owners have added real bow-rollers, but it's a difficult process with very limited access from below. I just suffer through the awkwardness, sitting on the bow with the locker open.

I have the "stock" factory-installed bow roller, which is too small to be used for anything more than a dinghy anchor. When I was buying my Mantus anchor I sent a photo of the roller to the guys there and they had a real chuckle about it.

[PhysicsTeacher]

This works OK for me:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kdKB4RXs8NzeB1i36

Cheers,

Kelvin

[leefrankpierce]

We have an anchor locker?

[Gotro]

Cheers,
I like that simple set up of your anchor Kelvin. might have to copy that one. I like two anchors out of the bow 70 degrees or so apart to keep the boat from swinging all night long. One of these days I will try the stern sail fixed for that purpose.

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

We use a Danforth as our primary mounted on the bow rail with a capture clip arrangement.
It works as a decent place to hang the anchor and our chain.
Deploying and retrieving is sorta a PITA but there doesn’t seem to be an alternative to ‘standing ‘ in the locker with the lid off to one side.
Space is really too small for storage of an appropriate anchor…barely enough for 150 ft of anchor line.

So your not alone…..

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Be Free]

This works OK for me:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kdKB4RXs8NzeB1i36

Cheers,

Kelvin

That's where I keep mine although I opted for them matching white PVC and white zip ties.

[sunshinecoasting]

This stops swinging and rolling, it doesn't help with anchor storage though.

viewtopic.php?t=30199

[pitchpolehobie]

I made an anchor riding sail for my 26X backstay.it works by using the wind to stopthe boat from swinging by "sailing" the back od the boat to the wind. I raise it with my spare jib halyard. Its relatively small at 3x6ft. The nice thing is that it can be adjusted on the fly if wind direction changes with its included jib-sheet. Also it pacms down very small to about the size of a thermos when rolled. I dont really need it on my protected lake for most days of typical anchoring but it did
Test out well. I dont know yet how it would perform in heavier open water ancborages like on Erie but im unlikely to use it in those conditions. If the swell or waves were so large to make me need the anchor riding sail Id rather be in a marina /better protected anchorage to sleep well. Certainly not a fixed for an undersized anchor or undersized locker but another tool to consider. It does help during anchor retrieval on my diminutive bow roller by keeping the anchor line firmly on the roller and not rubbing/chafing the stainless sides when swinging.(https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/4001-1x0.htm)

[dlandersson]

An X anchor roller

Hi folks! New 26X owner here. I anchored a few times and find the anchor locker and cleat arrangement to be cumbersome. I don't have a bow roller or anything -- just a danforth style anchor with a bit of chain and rope. I find that deploying or retrieving the anchor with the locker open is super awkward, so I started just moving all the rhode outside the locker before mucking with the anchor. It's a little bit better. When I'm retrieving the anchor in any wind it becomes difficult, especially as the boat sails from side to side.

What are your techniques (or mods) for making this easier while solo? At some point maybe a bow roller and running the line to the cockpit would be nice. That would allow use of the motor and a winch to do the retrieve.

My typical anchorage is muddy and shallow (between 2 and 10ft)

Thanks!

[NiceAft]

Tlutz0808,

Having an , I can’t speak about an . However, when you state “just a danforth style anchor with a bit of chain and rope.", that I can speak on. 30’ of chains is the target.

Mac’s will swing at anchor, I hear a bridle helps, but Mac’s swing on anchor. Very high freeboard.

When it comes time to figure how much rode to let out, it’s not just the water depth to use in the math; it’s the water depth plus the distance from the bow to the water. 5’ per foot in calm weather. 10’ per foot in storms.

[OverEasy]

For what it may be worth….

Dropping a 5 gallon bucket overboard the stern tied to a short length of line between the bucket handle and a stern cleat can act as a sorta sea anchor to slow down the wind swing. A Lowe’s or HomeDepot bucket floats so you can see where it is. The rope only needs to be long enough to get the bucket clear of the stern.

Best Regards,
Over Easy