Anchor Storage - What's in your locker?

I don't just keep my anchor in the stern locker. It is also where I keep all my spare dry layers and my nibbles. I also have a towel, coffee flask and my mobile phone....oh, and some spares and a lots of extra rope. As you can see from the picture my anchor is secured to the floor in the dry compartment. Most sailors will tell you that the anchor should be easily accessed. It's not easy to find space inside the cockpit of a Gull for a 5kg anchor. Why 5kg? because I know it will hold....well, it usually holds. There was the one time on Ullswater when I had to hitch a lift in another Gull to collect "aurora" when she sailed off by herself despite the over sized anchor. Recently I've got around this problem by placing a couple of rocks on top of the anchor when she is moored in shallow water but I've now got the 1m of galvanised chain that I've always promised myself. I'm fairly sure she will now hold without the need for the rockery. This small collection of crude metal objects is secured to the boat using a special 5kg danforth shaped ply panel. The panel is fixed to the block that is glassed into the floor of all Gull Sprirts (initially required for securing an outboard when not in use). The anchor, chain and rope are strapped onto the plywood panel. This set-up is so secure that I usual trail the boat up the road with the anchor in place.

There is a system when landing at a lunchtime rendezvous. 1) step out of boat in shallow water. 2) open aft hatch. 3) remove dry bag that is loaded with sarnies, coffee, towels, etc. and either place in cockpit for later or throw ashore if the distance is not too far (this bag will float if shore is further than assumed). 4) Grab hold of anchor line and tie to stem fitting. 5) drop anchor and rope into water. 6) adjust length of rope to depth of water and other conditions. 7) drop sail and store neatly in boat. 8) go and have a cuppa....you earned it!

The anchor's new chain will be christened tomorrow at Rutland water which will probably be the last Gull cruise of the season but don't worry there is plenty planned for 2012. As usual, keep an eye on this blog for info and please send pictures and reports to me at - chrisabela(at)hotmail(dot)co.uk