Reliable safe shackle for quickly securing an anchor to rode

[Jason Builder]

Hello Everyone,

Does anyone know of a safe reliable shackle that is suitable for securing an anchor to the anchor rode? I am contemplating anchoring strategies and anchor storage, and if my anchor is not attached to the rode, I am looking for quick safe ways to attach it. There are of-course times when an anchor may need to be quickly deployed, so the shackle would need to be quick to secure.

Thanks for any feedback.

Jason

[jhippe]

Hey Jason,
Not sure of a good means to accomplish the task. Others may have better ideas, but I am thinking that anything that is quick will inherently have some safety concerns from a long-term deployment perspective. Personally, I always keep my anchor rode attached to my anchors. I have two anchors and two rodes; one of which is always ready to deploy. Not knowing all the hardware available I am inclined to think that tieing a quick anchor bend may be a good choice -- assuming rope is being used.

John

[Brent65]

Jason,

Climbers use opposing locking carabiners to secure lines. I think this system would prove secure and fast.

[ZAM]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shackle#Threaded_shackle

[knasman]

I think your best bet might be to shackle the chain to the anchor with a bow shackle and mouse it with SS wire. Then just tie the rode on with an anchor bend topped with a half hitch or two when you need to deploy.

Better would be to have the anchor ready to deploy at all times. In an urgent situation you don't want to be remembering to connect things.

[wdscobie]

To me ... the combination of 'quick release' and 'anchor chain/rode' would keep me from sleeping at night.

IMO figure a way to store anchor/chain/rode in a deployment bag and store in the forward storage. fairly quick to open up the forward space under the veranda and get to your ground tackle. also a good location for weight distribution on a small craft.

[Jason Builder]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. In my heart of hearts, I figured that would be the general response, and I would give someone the same advice if they asked me, but I thought maybe someone had some time-proven technique that I didn't know about.

Time to think about where to store my anchor....

Along the same lines of beliefs that linger in the back of one's mind.....I bought a really nice aluminum Danforth style anchor for the SCAMP, because it seemed like a top quality choice. That said, I've never liked Danforths, especially overnight, and the lightness of this anchor has me scared. I might be wrong about this, just a fear. I have always used an 11lb bruce on my Compac 16 and that is a beauty of a combo. I would feel more comfortable with an 11lb bruce or Delta.....or an Ultra if one wanted to go crazy.

Thanks again for the feedback,

[PAR]

Quick to secure and reliable are two different animals, not necessarily co-compatiable. Simply if it's a fast connection, it's not perfectly reliability and could unsecure itself in some very odd situations. Carabineers are like this. They are very quickly to clip on, but the bale can get knocked to the side or bent open on a rock, during a rough drag or back down, making it useless. For most, it'll serve just fine, with never an issue, but there's still the odd chance. A standard shackle, with a safety wired pin will be very secure, but not so speedy to attach and detach. So you have to ask yourself how will you stow the anchor. I don't use chain on small craft, simply because it's unnecessary and adds weight. A swivel shackle will solve most "lead" concerns and small craft just don't have enough mass to warrant a heavy leader on their ground tackle, just put out enough scope.

[wdscobie]

i don't use chain ... because it's unnecessary and adds weight.

this is location specific i guess. besides chain improving the anchor's hold in the PNW rode will quickly be chewed up by any barnacle and/or rocks in the anchorage.

[PAR]

Yeah, that's true Dave, some places are nasty enough to warrant some metal. In these cases I prefer galvanized cable, which can be rolled up. I use to have several hundred feet of big cable, on a bilge mounted drum, in a 63' ketch. Discovered cable many years ago and been using it ever since on my big boats.