Electric Anchor on bow

Arminius

Having multiple NAV lights is not legal. While a technicality, you could be confused by a person who is interpreting the said lights at night. 2 lights could be assumed 2 boats.

I would just ask that you listen to the folks on the forum. These people are all here to help. We all love boats and boating and really do have good intentions.
 
All visible modifications are to the previously hinged lid made of "Starboard" ($150 part) The challenge was securing the lid adequately to provide a foundation for bolting the Minn Kota. The red cedar blocks were drilled and tapped across the grain without splitting for four 5/16th" galv lags. Painted with true oil paint for longevity in marine environment. The chain is overkill securing the entire apparatus to the stem of the boat in case it is carried away in a hurricane, unlikely given the 800# rating of the anchor cord on the reel. Now I have a switch under the dash allowing deployment and retrieval of the anchor. Shorted the internal circuit breaker but placed a CB of same amps with manual actuation at an accessible point near battery allowing de-energization. Gotta hand it to these stereo techs that put obnoxious speakers on boats-routing wiring can be challenging.
That little mushroom anchor isn’t going to stress anything. Where do you anchor where that is effective?
 
I was going to mention the mushroom anchor too. They have their place I guess but I have never seen anyone have much luck with them.
And I agree with others about the lights. Another boater hits you because he is confused about the lights you may not win that court battle. Not saying you won't but is it worth the risk? I'm overly cautious when it comes to this stuff but to me it's a no-brainer to relocate both lights and disable/remove the current one.
Aside from that, I can appreciate the need/want for a windlass. I just installed one myself so I don't fault you at all for that. Is it sturdy enough? Not sure. Without seeing it in person you are probably the only one that can positively answer that but seems like quite a bit of stress on that area. Good luck
 
Copied from USCG Rules of the Road:

(b) "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel ‹‹ , except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the sidelights when combined in one lantern shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel ››.

The term "a red light" is clearly singular.
 
We're getting close to shore! Better move the boat! Are you sure you want to be here? Those people are staring at us. Maybe we better get going again. You're drifting into the milfoil. Do you want me to move it? I think it is getting shallow. This is where the rocks are...........................
 
We're getting close to shore! Better move the boat! Are you sure you want to be here? Those people are staring at us. Maybe we better get going again. You're drifting into the milfoil. Do you want me to move it? I think it is getting shallow. This is where the rocks are...........................

It's almost noon east coast time but man...I feel like it's still a bit early to be hittin' the sauce in Seattle.
 
I think it’s an explanation of when he uses the anchor. But not why it’s a mushroom which is useless except in a pond.

Or maybe it’s an early bong hit.
 
Had it out yesterday and it works well. Sense of urgency and alertness when anchored near shore was gone as we just floated before. Planes more quickly with the 60 #s transferred from swim platform to bow. The empty anchor locker would be a good place to stick a 2nd AGM battery as I've figured out a clean cable routing path although the #10 I used for the Deckhand would have to be replaced with heavier.
 
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Dude. Seriously. Are you for real or are you just jerking our chain?
 
Is this set up for your private backyard ski lake?

In my experience those anchors are as good at sand filled milk jugs I use to tie our kids floats to on vacation.

Can you swap that muck killer out for something with some bite to it?

Having pulled anchors up since my pre teen years, I get the added benefit. But my old man at 78 still yanks the danforth out of Lake Erie when needed to.
 
The winch is designed so the neck of the mushroom enters the stop bracket and rotates 90 degrees so the dome of the mushroom is facing outward and might cause less damage to others than a Danforth. The winch does not lock when the anchor hits bottom but continues to pay out until the operator clicks the control, giving it scope and some holding power.
 
That little mushroom anchor isn’t going to stress anything. Where do you anchor where that is effective?
eons ago I used a mushroom anchor because that was all I could afford. When it wouldn't hold in certain circumstances I got a Danforth for Christmas.

It "may" work some of the time, but not when you need it. The only positive part of this thread is that its now on the bow. After seeing a boat go down in seconds, it made me recall what the instructor said about stern anchors during my first Power squadron course.
 
That mushroom anchor will probably be ok on a pond or calm lake with no current or waves. Highly doubtful it will hold under any type of force. It does not grab anything, only has weight.
 
The chain is shackled to the stem at bottom of empty locker and is then padlocked to the winch and its track. A simple shackle would not fit into the lock slot.
A red port led is properly aligned against the winch This is in addition to the standard split bow light. More concerned with avoiding collisions than legal technicalities.
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A red port led is properly aligned against the winch This is in addition to the standard split bow light. More concerned with avoiding collisions than legal technicalities.
However, your thought process has a flaw in it. By possibly having two red lights visible to another boater, you are purposefully causing confusion to that other boater... which could lead to a problem. Those of us that know the rules about proper lighting look for a certain combination of lights to know what kind of vessel it is and which direction it is heading. Seeing what you have... it's possible we wouldn't even think you're a vessel. Either way, it would be distracting... which could lead to a collsion.
 
Why use that chain/padlock? If the Deckhand is properly secured, there's no need for that. Besides, think this through... if the Deckhand DOES let go... the chain is going to cause MORE damage to the boat since the Deckhand could snap around and bang into the bow causing gel damage, along with the damage the chain/padlock is going to cause. Fixing the gel damage is most likely going to be more expensive than the cost of the Deckhand.
 
Is the lock just for when you’re out of water to minimize theft?
 
Shackles would not fit. The slot was built for a padlock. There is always a lot of concern about theft at a fishing marina. These fishers have a whole culture built on freebees from the sea. Don't till, don't herd, aren't educated, invent crackpot religions and accept donations. Yea, probably thieves to boot.
 

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