Anchoring in the mud!

[Oceanlove]

I was wondering if anybody has come across a way to efficiently clean anchor chain after anchoring in a muddy location. Pretty darn hard to get it out from between the links even with a sprayer. And if we don't get it all before it ends up below decks - it stinks the whole boat up! Any thoughts?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

need to know mor eabout your set-up. Some larger boats keep a hose at the winch and hose it off as it comes up.

A self-contained anchor locker, and leave it on there, might do the trick.

Or move to Virginia, where our mud don't stink!

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

I often pull the anchor from the bottom, but leave it hanging below the surface.
By time I'm done idling out of the anchorage and ready to power up, it's clean.
One time I forgot, but no damage was done- just a loud THUNK against the hull.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

I dunk mine up and down a few times...usually comes clean

 

[Oceanlove]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

Our setup is a 45# cqr on 100' of 3/8" chain (with another 200' of rope as well). I've always wondered/hoped that there was a better option than hanging out over the bow with a small sprayer. Seems to take too long and barely gets off the goo. Then again, if we're in rougher weather, there really isn't time to pull the anchor slowly and drift around while I spray. The chain locker is separated from the rest of the boat by two little doors on hinges, hardly smell proof! I thought the mud in Virginia did smell kinda funny... Maybe you're in a special treatment area?

We've done the hanging thing - but it's trouble! Those thunks hurt!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

Here In WV its mostly mud but I dont use a standard anchor. I use a 16 pound sledgehammer head it holds very well in the mud and if i lose one its not big thing to pick up one at a flea market for a few bucks and storage is in a 5 gallon bucket rope included it makes it easy to store and move around. And the bucket stops any mud from getting on the carpet.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

need to know mor eabout your set-up. Some larger boats keep a hose at the winch and hose it off as it comes up.

A self-contained anchor locker, and leave it on there, might do the trick.

Or move to Virginia, where our mud don't stink!

Ya right!!!

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

I often pull the anchor from the bottom, but leave it hanging below the surface.
By time I'm done idling out of the anchorage and ready to power up, it's clean.
One time I forgot, but no damage was done- just a loud THUNK against the hull.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

What are you anchoring...a battleship?

 

[Philster]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

Ya gotta splash the darn anchor and chain like ya mean it! Get it up and DUNK that puppy and the chain until they are clean.

Come on!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Anchoring in the mud!

How about encasing the last 5-8 feet of chain in some rubber tubing? Something like automotive heater hose? Perhaps the mud won't stick to the tubing very well. You will need to put some freshwater down the tubing to rinse off the salt, or the chain will rust pretty fast.