Anchor ball

[wingtime]

Just wanted to know how many of you use the anchor ball method of retrieving your anchor?  If you do how do you like it and do you have any advise on the subject.  Amy said I can get some gear for the boat for my b-day and an anchor ball is on my list.  What would be a good size ball for my use?  18"?

Thanks!

[Circle Hooked]

Bruce mine never leaves the boat, accept for a pic  I consider it a must have.

this is my setup, the buoy model is NB50 and it is almost 50" around

[wingtime]

OK so that would be a 15" diameter ball.  That is good since I didn't want to try to find a place to store some huge ball.  I have the ring and snap already.  Thanks!

[Blue Agave]

Bruce mine never leaves the boat, accept for a pic I consider it a must have.

this is my setup, the buoy model is NB50 and it is almost 50" around

X2 - a must have.  Besides in those deeper depths your current windlass might pull a munity.

[gran398]

We use 'em up here all the time grouper fishing. Makes life a lot easier

[John Jones]

I like mine so much I did not let it go with the boat.  I usually don't fool with it in < 50' but when this old man gets tired it sure is nice.

I think the NB50 is what I have too.

[Group W Bench]

Wingtime,

If you are using a Delta or CQR type anchor with some heft, the 18"-20" ball and larger ring have an easier time getting over the transition from rope to chain at the end. If you use a Danforth or Fortress, the smaller ball and ring should be fine. FISH over by Bay Pines has pretty good prices on balls and rings.

[wingtime]

Right now I have a Danforth type anchor but that may change.  I'm thinking of rolling my own mighty mite anchor for reefs.  I have the ring and such already just need the ball.  Good point on Fish over near the VA I didn't think of them.  They usually have a huge one hanging out front!

[dburr]

So I thought to myself, If space is an issue, why not go with a number of smaller polly balls? That way when not hauling anchors they could be used as fenders...  A quick look at the math and the idea isn't as good as it sounds.. 1 15 inch ball has a volume of 1767 cubic inches, to get the same with a 10 inch ball you need essentially 4..  Great for fenders but where do you stow them? Oh well..

[wingtime]

I even thought about deflating the thing and just having one of those cheap 12v compressors that I can plug into the cig lighter.

[flounderpounder225]

I've got a big one, it stows underway between the rail and FWD gunwhale cap, just jammed in there, always use in deeper water.  Also, be careful using the mighty might or any grapplin anchor, they have a tendancy to poke a hole in the ball if it is coming up too fast when it flips into the ring....... don't ask how I know...

[wingtime]

Marc so if I'm picturing this right in my head you stuff it under the rail and top of the gunnel... just behind the first stantion aft of the pulpit?

[gran398]

So I thought to myself, If space is an issue, why not go with a number of smaller polly balls? That way when not hauling anchors they could be used as fenders...  A quick look at the math and the idea isn't as good as it sounds.. 1 15 inch ball has a volume of 1767 cubic inches, to get the same with a 10 inch ball you need essentially 4..  Great for fenders but where do you stow them? Oh well..

db, the biggest downside would be dragging the rig back to the boat

[slvrlng]

Look up on the bow in this video. You'll see what Marc is talking about.

http://s669.photobucket.com/albums/vv60 ... EO0054.mp4

[dburr]

"gran398"
db, the biggest downside would be dragging the rig back to the boat

Yet another reason that it ain't the best idea I've ever had!!!  My wife says she is quoting from  Napoleon Dynamite every time she says” IDIOT!”, now I am beginning to wonder…