---

Mine is a '63 Nauset. Is there really an anchor that fits in the anchor lockers. No Danforth I've ever seen will fit. The only thing that lools like it will get in there is a mushroom anchor. They seem kind of light for me.

Any ideas?

---

I have the sport 15', the smaller "Danforth" (hull wt. is max. size for the anchor), with 50' of line, just about fits in the locker. I keep a heavier danforth with 100' of line under the seat/console, it never gets used but, it meets "reg's", and is there for emergency's. A mushroom anchor will work but, it's really a "Mooring" anchor designed to bury itself in the mud/sand over time.
mw

---

My boat is definately bigger and heavier, so that danforth won't work. I can't imagine what Ray Hunt was thinking on this when he designed the boat. Something back then must have fit.

---

I had the same problem on my former 1965 Sakonnet. I laid the anchor rode on the deck with the anchor on top of it, all the way at the aft port corner. I didn't really like it there, but after 10 years or so, I finally decided that it was a good spot for the anchor.

I kept a smaller anchor for emergencies in the RPS storage box.

Doug

---

David,
Hopefully, I am sending you a link to West Marine's web site. I have used this type of anchor on a 19' center console for years with very good luck. It collapses down to something that just might do the trick for you. If the link doesn't work, look up "Folding Grapnel Anchor" on their site.
Hope it helps Happy Holidays,
Grady
Folding Grapnel Anchor

(Fixed really, really, really long link)

---

I use an 8lb Mighty Mite grapnel anchor (they make 2 heavier versions for bigger boats). It fits in the locker and will hold in almost every condition (jetties, oysters, mud) when you attach 3 ft of chain in front of it. If it gets stuck, just move the boat over the anchor and attach the line to the stern eye, tighten the slack in your line and nudge your boat forward in the opposite direction that you were pulling at anchor and the tines will bend and release. Then you can use a cheater pipe to bend them back into place. Paul

www.mightymiteanchors.com

---

DavidK,
I'm familiar with your problem...and so was Dad.
His Danforth didn't fit either...so he ground/cut the "ears" off it...(the two extensions off the "axle", so to speak.
As the 75' 3/8" anchor rope was shot when I got the boat. I went with the folding grapple as it fit sweetly in the forward locker....
But it wouldn't grab anything worth a damn...
And there will come a time when your life might depend on that anchor! A dead motor or battery are at the top of the list....drifting into the path of an oncoming oil barge can be hazardous to your health!:o
The 3 or 4' chain ...the "long lead", is best coated with plastic to avoid scratching, and essential to planting the danforth for the best bite...
The closed ring that slides up and down the "neck" is especially handy for dislodging the "stuck" anchor....just back away "into" the current....
I have retired the grapple and just need to carefully coil the new anchor rope under the anchor and it all fits fine...the wife is gettin' good at it;)

---

Thanks danedg.

I can't imagine what they were thinking when they built that anchor locker. I was kind of hoping for something more substantial; than a grapnel.

On a different note, the HIN on my 1963 Nauset is: 30502. I would love to find numbers that were even closer.

I would love to see some picks of that engine on your transom. Whatever you did to get that on there, may be the answer to my mounting propblems (read my other posts).


Thanks

---

David,
If you find such an anchor, please post about it. As I said earlier, the grapnel I have been using for years on a larger, heavier boat than the whalers has been adequate in grab and easy in stowage There is a chain to help plant it. I took this same anchor off and used it on the Montauk several times in the fall. It fit, it worked. I don't look for much more from a boat anchor!
Seriously though, you are right about the spartan accomodations for the thing. We are limited by this to a very few choices. I am not suggesting that the grapnel anchor is a match for a danforth in ability on a level playing field, but in this discussion, the point is that we can't fit a danforth too easily. Of the remaining choices, I have used the grapnel, and it has served the purpose well.
Please let us know how you handle this. The problem is manifest in all our boats too.

Joe,
Thanks for cleaning up the messy West Marine link. That was rather clumsey.
Grady

---

Did you try the smaller Danforth ? I'll bet it holds that boat, If you carry a spare larger anchor, no problem if the smaller anchor won't hold, I agree, it's the "Ears" that stick up, and make all of the trouble, I don't spend too much on an anchor, I'm only going to lose it at some point, "Two" are better for safety, and remember, NEVER anchor from the stern, VERY dangerous !
mw

---

Has anyone tried the Fortress FX-7 marine anchor? It breaks down into component parts and stores in a small bag (which is of course extra) and the whole bit goes into the locker. Add 4' of plastic covered chain and enough rode and it's a nice system. Unfortunately the price is serious sticker shock but it works well and safety isn't (usually) cheap.

---

check out the box anchor.
Extremely strong for its size.
The baby would probably work for a 20ft whaler.
http://www.slideanchor.com/box.aspom/box.asp

---

Case of Lite and bag of ice works nice!

GO LSU!!!!!!!!!!

---

I have a 16'6" hull and have been able to fit a small danforth style anchor, chain, and rode in the bow locker along with a small grapnel hook, chain, and rode. I cut the ends of the rod off the danforth to help make it fit. This year I'll be getting rid of the grapnel hook and going for another small modified danforth anchor. I've never had luck with the grapnel hook. In sand it seems to just pop itself out unless you have miles of scope. In other bottom types it may work better.

Another easily stored emergency anchor is the drift bag or sea anchor. Although it does not attach you to the bottom, it will help if for some reason a "real" anchor cannot be set. For thoes of you that travel off shore into deep water a drift bag/sea anchor would be a smart addition.

---

You should be able to fit the anchor in the locker, especially if you've cut off the ends...be careful because you could end up with holes poked in the side of your anchor locker like the previous owner of my Outrage did...not cool! Any easy fix but definately preventable if you used tennis balls...

Good luck...

Dave

---

My 17 has plenty of room! I keep a small Danforth and a mud anchor. In addition I have a rope with drift sock attached. I still have room to through a rain suit on top of that. My biggest complaint about the locker in the front is keeping the lid from bouncing in rough conditions.

---

Blue Northern,

I too had the issue of the bow locker moving about. In fact on several occassions in rough seas the boat seemed to drop off a wave faster than the bow locker lid, the wind then caught it and it ended up landing just forward of the console.

I solved this by attaching two small stainless steel eye straps on the two forward corners of the lid on the underside. In the locker I attached a section of bungee to the "eye" and the attached the other ends to the strap eyes with tension in the system.

Although not perfect, the lid makes no noise in normal operation conditions. In heavy seas the front will occassionally open and close, but at least it wont fly back and hit me.

Dana

---

The # 31130 is stenciled in the forward locker...underneath the anchor rope...as for the fifth motor on this boat....
I'm not sure that there was any rocket surgery involved...the two top mounting bolts lined up with the original Merc 650 EL...it looks like they had to reposition the 2 lowers...1/4"....filled, sanded and sealed...
Doesn't leak...won't sink...

---

I picked up an orange rubber coated danforth anchor at Academy, with approx. 7' of 3/8" chain it holds pretty well and fits in my 17' bow locker on top of 100' of rope

---

I remember back in 1972 when I bought a used 65 whaler, she had a danforth mounted to the bow rails which was not my idea but worked well enough. Over several decades I had several large blow boats that had a similar set up. If you have the rails it isn't a bad idea and the SS clips can be found at West Marine or others. The locker than holds your rode and anchor line. I alway thought it made anchor handling easy. I think I will do the same on our new project since I am only going to putt around the flats anyway with my wife and she can handle the anchor chores which is what a good woman does!

---

After viewing this thread I went out to look at the anchor locker for the 13. I'm not even sure a 6 pack and ice will fit in there.

---

I have a friend who uses a 2.2 lb Bruce on his 13', it fits and he loves it. Bruce no longer makes anchors but Lewmar makes a clone, the "Horizon", 2.2 lb $7.99 online West Marine. This is what I will get for my 13' project. My son uses the 4.4 lb Horizon ($18.99)for his Tashmoo and has had no complaints. I've used a 16.5 lb Bruce on my sailboat for over 20+ years and it's worked great. I have a Fortress for my 22' Outrage but when I finish the anchor pulpit/roller I'll switch to a 16.5 Bruce clone unless I can find a real one.

Jeff

---

I use an 8# danforth anchor with 6' of chain and 100' of 3/8 rope. I lined the locker with dri-deck, cut the ears so the anchor will fit in the in the locker and poked holes in two old tennis balls and put them on the ends to prevent it from scratching the gelcoat during storage. It took a few tries for me to get it in the right position, but it fits fine now. You just need to lay more line at the front of the locker. Maybe it'll work for you.