anchor system for 18' Trophy?

[skunky]

Below you can see a picture of my bow. I have my lights mounted right on the nose and a nice flat platform behind it and to either side. I am trying to figure out the best way to attach an anchor system to this bow so that I can do some anchor fishing in the Columbia. I don't need anything that will hold an anchor, just something that I can slip the rope into and be able to quickly disconnect should I need to. I really don't love the idea of making holes in my boat, but at this point I really want something to be able to safely anchor fish the Columbia.

Has anyone out there done this before? I would like some opinions or experiences shared. All the cool :cool: boats are aluminum and have those nifty anchor systems mounted to their bow. I wanna be like them, but don't want to buy a new boat.

Thank you

19355

[fishkisser]

You could always mount one of those cool anchor rollers / fairleads to the bow
and move your navigation lights to either side of the bow ...
This would actually give a more distinct message to your direction of travel to
a passing boat than the combo light on the bow you have now ...
Just something to think about ...

http://www.go2marine.com/category.do?no=12420
http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/Attwood_Navigation_Light-ATTWOOD_PULSAR_NAVIGATION_LIGHTS.html

[skunky]

You could always mount one of those cool anchor rollers / fairleads to the bow
and move your navigation lights to either side of the bow ...
This would actually give a more distinct message to your direction of travel to
a passing boat than the combo light on the bow you have now ...
Just something to think about ...

http://www.go2marine.com/category.do?no=12420
http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/Attwood_Navigation_Light-ATTWOOD_PULSAR_NAVIGATION_LIGHTS.html

Thanks for the reply. I want to make as few holes as possible.

I went to Fisherman's this evening and saw a sled roller with a Jam cleat mounted on it. This is what I typically see on a aluminum sled. I was thinking I (or machine shop) could build a 2.5" base that this could attach to. Then it would be above the light and should operate just fine. The problem is access to the bow. It would be nearly impossible for anyone except for my 2 year old to mount anything underneath that area. Are there ways of mounting to bows with top access only?

This page has what I saw at fishermans. "sled bow roller with jam cleat"
http://www.dhdriftboats.com/advHtml/dierksanchor.html

[justfish]

I agree with fishkissers response. Move the light and mount a miller or comparable unit. use an access panel to gain access to the bolts and backer plate.

[skunky]

I agree with fishkissers response. Move the light and mount a miller or comparable unit. use an access panel to gain access to the bolts and backer plate.

Are you saying make my own access panel? There really is not a feasible way of getting to it any other way. This is an open bow boat and the nearest opening to this area is about 3 feet away and it is only big enough for a mans arm. I don't know what making my own access panel would do to the structural integrity of the boat.

[justfish]

My boat is aluminum,but I had a similar problem with access. I purchased a round waterproof access panel which allowed me to stick my arm in to secure the bolts and backer plate.
Any of the marine stores should have them.

[Sobie2]

Anyone pull their anchor with a crab pot puller? I myself have a 22' Hewescraft Ocean Pro and don't really want to get a pot puller and an anchor puller.

Sobie2

[fishin"G"man]

I have an 18' Trophy and had this problem as well. My nav light was square dab in the center like yours. My idea was to put a port and stbd light on either side of the roller but I was unable to find suitable low profile bow lights. SO...here's what I did. I removed the light and mounted my anchor roller/holder in it's place. The Nav light was replaced with a plug in "stick type" socket (like the anchor light fits into). It's readily removable so there is no chance the light will be ruined by the anchor line. Works well and the hook up was simple.

Fair warning... be sure to mount your anchor roller out far enough (forward) so the anchor sits in it correctly. The cleat (behind the light) was in the way on my installation of a #8 danforth anchor. It would be better with a different anchor. Looks like you have more room that I did. The hawser pipe worked well just aft of the cleat. I tied the bitter end to a screw on eye (screwed onto the bolt from the bow eye).






Below you can see a picture of my bow. I have my lights mounted right on the nose and a nice flat platform behind it and to either side. I am trying to figure out the best way to attach an anchor system to this bow so that I can do some anchor fishing in the Columbia. I don't need anything that will hold an anchor, just something that I can slip the rope into and be able to quickly disconnect should I need to. I really don't love the idea of making holes in my boat, but at this point I really want something to be able to safely anchor fish the Columbia.

Has anyone out there done this before? I would like some opinions or experiences shared. All the cool :cool: boats are aluminum and have those nifty anchor systems mounted to their bow. I wanna be like them, but don't want to buy a new boat.

Thank you

19355

[skunky]

Would you be able to post a picture? Did you have access problems as well? My boat is a dual console open bow. Access to that area is almost non-existent. Creating an access panel might be something I would need to do.

[MattPark]

Anyone pull their anchor with a crab pot puller? I myself have a 22' Hewescraft Ocean Pro and don't really want to get a pot puller and an anchor puller.

Sobie2

Depending on where you anchor, pulling it from the side of the boat could be very dangerous. Being anchored broadside in heavy current with the rope up high on a davit would likely capsize the boat faster than you can say PFD.

In a lake it would probably work fine. Your boat doesn't really sound like a lake fishing boat, though:wink:

[Gundog]

I have a good friend who has a 18' trophy center console with one of my anchor lockers on it. I will try and get a picture from him and post it.

Mike

[bluehewes]

I kind of had the same issue but first thing I'd do is get rid of the bi-light and get port and starboard lights. Not only will it free up room for you to set up an anchor system but with moving the lights it makes you a bigger target at night so for safety reasons it's good too.

Right now I just have a jam cleat on there but as soon as I can afford it I'm going to buy one of the anchor holders that Gundog sells.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_L3tJ8S9uqHA/SpI8ac_CQKI/AAAAAAAAAsM/pfz3aX8efeg/s640/100_0492.JPG

[skunky]

Gundog, that would be great to see a pic of that. Do you offer a system that has a jam cleat integrated on it? Being an open bow, I don't have much room behind the anchor holder for a cleat. Also, do you offer anything with the port starbord lights built into the anchor holder? That would be slick.

Bluehewes, Your setup is really all I need. Jam Cleat and move bow lights. Probably my cheapest option and would work fine. People keep telling me to move the bow lights, but this boat has serious access issues and I think it would be a headache. I don't want to cut more holes than are really necessary.

An anchor system with a jam cleat and port starboard lights integrated into it would be pretty tight!