Cajun Anchor Storage

[985crabs]

For the benefit of those who may not know, a 'Cajun Anchor' is a heavy, metal pole with a point at one end and a rope at the other. It is used in shallow-water applications to anchor quickly. One throws the pole like a javelin straight down into the water where it sticks in the bed below. Then one ties the rope of to a cleat and the boat stays put.

I use 2 of them, fore and aft, to keep the Nauti Girl broadside to my target fishing area and provide better access for multiple fisher-persons. The drawbacks to these anchors are 1) more stuff lying on the deck when not deployed and 2) twice the muck that must be rinsed off the anchor before stowing them on board. In my efforts to create the perfect "MAV" (marsh assault vehicle), I would like to create Cajun Anchor holders for them. They would be mounted on the gunwales at an upward angle from the deck and allow quick access for deployment and storage. They would also be tubular (with perforations)so one could just shove the anchor in there without worrying too much about muck getting everywhere. At the end of the day a good hosing would take care of the filth.

I'm not sure how to mount them. I certainly don't want them to stick out too far and the gunwales are concave, whereas Cajun Anchors are 6' long and straight. Also, I'm wondering if I screw something into the fiberglass will it hold? Again, these things are fairly heavy. I'd hate to hit a bump and have their weight be enough to rip the fiberglass right off. Any of you ever done something similar? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Crabs

[gnrphil]

How about some sort of bracket to stow them across the bow area, they wouldn't be in the way while underway.

[Simple Man]

I'll think on it but if you figure something out please share. I presently store mine in the gunwale rod holder but that can be a little of a PITA sometimes

[gnrphil]

Like this??

Don't hesitate to tell me I'm out of my mind. Wife tells me all the time

[Juan]

I don't use a javelin or Cajun anchor but I've found I can keep the boat broadside like that by using the power pole on the stern and setting the i-pilot in anchor mode. I'm lazy and both are remote controlled so it makes it a lot easier. I do keep a shallow water pole on board for emergencies and have it strapped to the gunnel rail. It's 12' long and fits there without getting in the way. Why couldn't you mount a length of PVC pipe to the gunnels and have it protrude an inch or three over the transom so that it would drain overboard, put a screw on cap on both ends for storage and drill some holes in the aft cap so that it would drain any water and mud? Might not work if your gunnel has too much of a concave design.

[985crabs]

gnrphil,

Your suggestion may be the simplest since there is room and the lines are straight. However, it might be that there is one on the front fishing deck and another on the year. My only hesitation would be that the brackets and anchors would be in the way and, potentially, dangerous. Depending on where one is fishing at the moment, the water may be too deep for a Cajun Anchor. This would create a situation where someone would be fishing from the front deck with this thing bracketed up there. It could easily be tripped on and there are no railings up there.

Ideally, there would be one in the front and one in the back because they are generally deployed simultaneously. The helmsman positions the boat and both anchors go down before the boat can spin around. One wouldn't want to have to go to the front to grab an anchor and bring it to the stern each time. I will take this under advisement and see if there's a way it could work.

Crabs

[985crabs]

Juan,

This is kinda what I was thinking about. I thought it should be inside, but maybe on top of the rail would work. How did you strap it? What are those black things?

Love it!

[985crabs]

Dec 8, 2014 14:07:17 GMT -6 Juan said:

I've found I can keep the boat broadside like that by using the power pole on the stern and setting the i-pilot in anchor mode.

P.S.

I'm poor. I don't have a power pole or an I-pilot with anchor mode.

[T-Topless]

They are messy and very long for storage.

We built our own, only 4.5' long, and I plan to put an open-ended PVC tube in the anchor locker (drilled though the inner fiberglass) to stick it in when not in use, but then gain, I only have the one up front...

When we re-position, we just tie it off short to a bow cleat and move slowly (to keep mud in the water).

[Juan]

Dec 8, 2014 14:17:56 GMT -6 985crabs said:

Juan,

This is kinda what I was thinking about. I thought it should be inside, but maybe on top of the rail would work. How did you strap it? What are those black things?

Love it!

It's strapped down with Velcro straps (the black things) to the rail and to a couple of stainless steel Bimini top tie downs I added to the top of the gunnel (got em at K-Mart.)

[yolo]

How heavy and thick are we talking? I do have to admit, I am not very familiar with these anchors but i might have something cool you can think about and apply if its practical for your application. With what your saying I think you'll like it a lot.

After reading your post and starting to make my way down I was thinking of a setup right along the lines of what Juan has going on his boat and his suggestion for draining overboard.

I made a custom mount for my air horns. You might be able to use the same concept as I did, and so long as the anchor is not a crazy weight or diameter i have something in my head for you. No drilling, adjustable, convenient, versatile (can mount them in different places) and you would be able to remove/mount them whenever you want to. Parts would cost about 20 to 30 bucks.

Again, all that theory will rely on the specs so let me know and any pictures with a scale (ruler showing measurements or a common object like a soda can, bud light in my house, would help a lot).

[yolo]

Ps once I hear back from you I'll check to make sure the parts are good for weights and sizes then put together some instructions with pictures for you!

[985crabs]

Yolo, I am most intrigued. The anchors are each 6 feet long. The first has a 1-inch diameter and weighs roughly 4.5 pounds. The second has a 3/4-inch diameter and weighs about 9 pounds. Is there anything else I can tell you?

Crabs

[yolo]

Perfect. I think you'll like what i suggest. Ill post tomorrow after i put it together.

[yolo]

Ok forget it. I can't sleep.

Here we go. Your main parts list.

1) Shakespeare nylon rail ratchet antenna mount. You can buy these online really anywhere and they are about 12 bucks. You'll need two for one anchor.



2) Next go to home depot and get PVC Tee adapter with threads. The make a whole mess of sizes. The one in this picture is 3/4 inch all around (tube and threads), but you can get bigger diameters with the 3/4 inch threads; you need 3/4 inch on the threads for the antenna mount. Your also going to need an end cap and some 5200.



And now for assembly, careful its gong to be complicated (just kidding)!!! I'm sure you already know what to do. Take the PVC Tee and screw it right on the antenna mount. The nice thing about this, when you get it nice and snug you can still adjust it and still keep it nice and tight.




Now for your anchors, your going to need two on one side (ie: two mounts for one anchor) and your going to want some sort of cradle on one side to hold the anchor in the mounts. So take the PVC cap, put 5200 around the inside and stick it on the PVC tee (does not matter which end because you can adjust the tee. Once the 5200 dries you will have a permanent end.

The great part about this bracket is you can attach it to the rails of the boat. You can put it at different heights so the one side is elevated, like you were saying you wanted, and this will cradle the anchor in the bracket that has the end cap. Also, you can keep the anchor on the outside of the rail/boat so it does not get dirty like you were saying, or the inside like Juan has, or the top of the rail for easy easy access.. If needed you can cut those PVC tees in half. See below.



Then you can secure the one end in the whole PVC Tee with the cap, On the other side you can simple cradle the other end of the anchor on the PVC tee you cut in half; you'll have to wrap something around it. That's just an option. For what you are doing I would keep two whole PVC tees, set them apart on the rails and run the anchor through one right all the way into the other.

Now you will need to secure it. One of two suggestions below.

1) Go down to west marine and get a pin, with a cable attached to it and a cotter pin on the other side (mine does not have it but you want one for this, especially if the anchor is outside the boat). Drill a hole through the PVC Tee and the anchor (big enough to get the pin through obviously) stick the pin through and the secure it with the cotter in on the other side. Now your anchor should be safe from bouncing out when your running.



You can secure the pin and cable to the mount with a pipe clamp. You can also put some sort of cord and clip on there too, much like the rod riggers have for the fishing poles.



Or here is another option and one that I suggest because it is more secure in the end. You can go to Loews or Home Depot and get these plastic screws or a stainless wing screw.




You can put one or two in. I suggest two in case one snaps. Drill a hole or two and screw in. That simple.

Final step to make your life easy easy. Get a wing screw and insert it to the rail mount so you can take the mounts on and off whenever you want.



Hope this helps and sorry for any typos. I will edit and clean up tomorrow!

[985crabs]

Yolo, this is inspired. You have taken my original concept to new levels of creativeness. I was trying to find a flange or something I could mount the PVC tees inside the gunwales. Juan's suggestion to do it on the top rail with aft drainage was fantastic. Your antenna mount is brilliant. It would allow me to go outboard of the rail completely. I will begin sourcing materials. I may have a couple followup questions so please stay tuned. Thanks so much. This is very helpful.

You sure you're not a Cajun? This appears to be some genuine bayou ingenuity.

Crabs

[southshoreslayer]

Mine are fiberglass but I just use 2 velcro straps to the side rails on my sv2100. Simple and cheap.

[yolo]

Glad you guys like it and hopefully its practical in the application. I am not from the South, i do venture down to New Orleans twice a year to watch my friend play and i was just in Georgia over Thanksgiving but that's about it. I designed this for the air horns i put on my boat. Didn't want to drill so i got creative. Before i did my boat rewire i walked around home depot for a good three hours two days in a row just getting familiar with everything on the shelves. My policy is, there is always a way to do something!

Below is a graphic i drew out quickly depicting a bit more about what I was talking about. I put everything in different colors so you can get a better sense of each part.

Blue are the antenna mounts
Grey are the PVC Tee's
Orange is the PVC Cap
Red is a shackle
Black is anchor line.

Parts:
Antenna Mount: www.jmsonline.net/shakespeare-antenna-mount-rail-mount-w-ratchet-sha-4721.htm?gclid=COyTrsWeusICFSho7AodHz0A3w
PVC Tee: www.homedepot.com/p/DURA-3-4-in-Schedule-40-PVC-Tee-C402-007/100347255
PVC Cap: www.homedepot.com/p/DURA-3-4-in-Schedule-40-PVC-Cap-C447-007/100345011
Wing Screw: (you can even use an eye hook with the right threads if you need more clearance) www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-4-in-20-x-3-4-in-Zinc-Plated-Stamped-Steel-Wing-Screw-66758/202209887
3m 5200: www.westmarine.com/buy/3m--fast-cure-5200-polyurethane-adhesive-sealant--P004_127_002_508


So i am kind of assuming that you have a shackle on the end of this thing to a tie a rope too? Also, I'm assuming that one side has a sharp edge? If these are the cases then hopefully the picture furthers your knowledge of my concept. If not then hopefully it gives you some more specific ideas that you can apply. Obviously the picture is not to scale but here it is.



You'll raise one side like you said the weight of the anchor will keep it in the cradled end with the cap on it so you don't loose it, then you figure out how you want to tie it down. Then to insert you just run the anchor straight through the first mount and into the second. Done! Or you can turn the anchor around, insert in the top bracket, run it through until you can clear the back one with the anchor enough to get it in there.

And look at the. a bit more research shows the make a four way so you can do everything on one side and two brackets! Screw this onto the antenna mount, cap one one end for the anchor just like earlier, then put and elbow on the side tube, PVC tee onto elbow and then cap onto the tee on the same side as the one right next to it. Make sense? www.homedepot.com/p/Formufit-1-in-Furniture-Grade-PVC-4-Way-Tee-in-White-F0014WT-WH/205165013

I didn't realize they had these either. Keeps you from having to cut one of the PVC Tees in half if you want to go this way www.homedepot.com/p/FIMCO-3-4-in-Snap-Saddle-9026SP/202534479

Ok good luck! Any questions let me know!

[yolo]

Also remember, the picture I made was on top of the rail, but the ratchet mount and the screw on PVC Tees allow you to twist and turn that bracket any which way you want, so you can put them where ever you want as long as you can line them up and make enough clearance for the anchor.

[985crabs]

Yolo, you've gone above and beyond the call. You've given me a ton of information and a hundred ideas. Your graphics demonstrate a clear understanding of the objective. This will be done in the next week or 2. I can't wait to post photos. Maybe we can commercialize this.

Crabs