Storing anchor rope?

Hello Guys,

I am trying to get my boat more organized. I am wondering what everyone uses to keep their anchor ropes from getting all knotted up when running from place to place. My main anchor has about 100′ of rope and it is always doing something I don’t want to be doing.

Then I am wondering if you do something else when “putting” it away.

Thanks for the suggestions,

FDR

Francisco
I use a 30″ piece of oak 1×6 with a V cut in each end to wrap the rope on. I figure that I get about 48″ of rope with each wrap and I seldomly use the whole 100′, 40 to 60 feet usually gets the job done. The setup fits under either of the seats easily.

I have Anchormates on the front and the back, stores my rope and stows my anchor. Always available at the push of a button. Would’nt go with out them.

I buy the more expensive thicker rope and just back pile it in my storage compartment or a bucket and have very little if any issues with tangleing.

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I buy the more expensive thicker rope and just back pile it in my storage compartment or a bucket and have very little if any issues with tangleing.

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Thicker anchor rope is the way to go. It doesn’t tangle and it is much easier on the hands when you’re pulling the anchor repeatedly. I think my rope is 5/8″ thick and is on my 8th or 9th season with no signs of significant wear. To store it I wrap it up like an extension cord around my wrist and back down to my elbow and back again until the length is secure. The works is placed in storage along with the anchor and I rarely have any issues.

I also buy the 5/8.Most boat/marine places carry it.Costs more but lasts a long time.Well worth it.

If you know an electrician or have a local contractor you can ask, ask for an empty wire spool. I’ve got some plastic spools that held 10 gauge wire, and I just roll my anchor rope onto one of them. They sit real well in the storage compartment.

I’ve never tried the thick rope, but I use an electrical cord reel. The kind you can hang onto with one hand and use a knob to reel the rope in. I learned this from a friend of mine last summer. It’s pretty slick.

I use the first picture. You can also use the second. These are more permanent storage options. I usually only unwind the rope once a day or until I’m done anchoring.

I use basically the same one kooty has in the first picture, but mine has a base on it. Works pretty good, as long as you have a compartment it will fit in.

Jami

If you really need 100 feet, split your rope into 2 sections. A 30 and a 70 foot section. Add a brass connector at both ends for quick connect. 90% of the time the 30 will be all you need.

I also use the plastic cord holder in kooty’s second pic.

-J.

i also do the thumb to elbow electrical cord wrap thing with 5/8 ropes. quick and easy.
heck, i have 50-foot ropes on chene and mushroom anchors, plus 3 15 footers for drift socks and tie offs and store it all in a single front compartment in my targa with rarely any tangle issues.

What’s been working for me is to simply feed the rope into a gunny sack.
When you are ready to use again grab the rope at the anchor end and pull it out again.

I’ve never had a tangle.

I second the empty spool idea, just used one from the 5/8’s rope spool when I bought what was left on the spool. You can’t have enough rope.

I also use Kootys idea, been using that for years.

Some great suggestions. I’ve also heard of guys storing it by winding into a bucket with good success. I personally wind it around the hand and the elbow and don’t have much problem with tangling.