Shortening an Anchor - Is this a bad Idea? and how

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  Shortening an Anchor - Is this a bad Idea? and how

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Author Topic:   Shortening an Anchor - Is this a bad Idea? and how

BillD posted 07-28-2003 04:10 PM ET (US)
I have a Danforth Anchor that I am thinking about shortening the shank of it (3 - 5 in) as well as possibly shortening the round bars that stick out from the top edge of the flukes (sorry not sure the correct name of these). Would this be a bad idea? Would I be better off buying a smaller anchor?
I would do this to make the anchor fit in the anchor locker better. Currently the anchor can be difficult to remove from the locker unless it is turned exactly the correct way and the chain and rode are in the exact correct spot. It can take a few min to get the anchor out at times which I do not feel is safe. The anchor is bigger than I actually need for my boat but I feel an oversized anchor is not a bad thing.
I realize that modifying the anchor will reduce its performance but I have to believe it will still out perform a smaller anchor.
Also what does anyone think is the best way to cut it?

jimh posted 07-28-2003 08:11 PM ET (US)
Cutting down the two rods is straightforward. You will need to regalvanize the steel or the rust will be a major problem. The anchor may not set properly if the rods are shortened.
Cutting the shank is probably a bad idea. How will you re-attach the anchor rode to the shank? The shank is often made of very high strength steel and may be difficult to cut.
triblet posted 07-28-2003 09:43 PM ET (US)
How about just getting a smaller anchor? That's what you
are trying to make anyway.
What boat? What current anchor?

Chuck
logjamslam posted 07-29-2003 02:54 AM ET (US)
Good excuse to buy a bigger boat.
BillD posted 07-29-2003 09:36 AM ET (US)
The boat is a 2000 Outrage 18.
I believe the current anchor is a 13 lb Danforth. I probably only need an 8 lb anchor for the boat but like the extra size.
The idea of modifying the existing anchor was to reduce cost and let me keep the bigger anchor. I forgot about the galvanizing problem. I'll probably switch the large anchor to be my stearn anchor and use my 8 lb stearn anchor at the bow.
flawton posted 07-29-2003 11:01 AM ET (US)
I recently did just what you described to my anchor. I cut about 5 " off if the shank, rounded it off on the bench grinder, redrilled the hole for the rode shackle, and cold galvinized it (i had to do something to atleast try and prevent rust). I was concerned about reduced holding power but had no problems on a recent trip to the low country. I bought the anchor as a kit, superhooker i think, and it wouldn't fit in the well of my newport.
triblet posted 07-29-2003 11:42 AM ET (US)
Actually, a 5 pound Danforth would be adequate. The 5 pound
Hi-Tensile is rated for boats from 18-24'.

Chuck
DCPeters posted 07-29-2003 09:43 PM ET (US)
I'd get the 5 pounder that Chuck mentions and stick the 13 (as is)in other on-board storage for heavy weather emergencies.
Is there another place to store it on the 2000? I'm not so familiar with the compartments on that vintage. Any room in the console?

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Author	Topic: Shortening an Anchor - Is this a bad Idea? and how
BillD	posted 07-28-2003 04:10 PM ET (US) I have a Danforth Anchor that I am thinking about shortening the shank of it (3 - 5 in) as well as possibly shortening the round bars that stick out from the top edge of the flukes (sorry not sure the correct name of these). Would this be a bad idea? Would I be better off buying a smaller anchor? I would do this to make the anchor fit in the anchor locker better. Currently the anchor can be difficult to remove from the locker unless it is turned exactly the correct way and the chain and rode are in the exact correct spot. It can take a few min to get the anchor out at times which I do not feel is safe. The anchor is bigger than I actually need for my boat but I feel an oversized anchor is not a bad thing. I realize that modifying the anchor will reduce its performance but I have to believe it will still out perform a smaller anchor. Also what does anyone think is the best way to cut it?
jimh	posted 07-28-2003 08:11 PM ET (US) Cutting down the two rods is straightforward. You will need to regalvanize the steel or the rust will be a major problem. The anchor may not set properly if the rods are shortened. Cutting the shank is probably a bad idea. How will you re-attach the anchor rode to the shank? The shank is often made of very high strength steel and may be difficult to cut.
triblet	posted 07-28-2003 09:43 PM ET (US) How about just getting a smaller anchor? That's what you are trying to make anyway. What boat? What current anchor? Chuck
logjamslam	posted 07-29-2003 02:54 AM ET (US) Good excuse to buy a bigger boat.
BillD	posted 07-29-2003 09:36 AM ET (US) The boat is a 2000 Outrage 18. I believe the current anchor is a 13 lb Danforth. I probably only need an 8 lb anchor for the boat but like the extra size. The idea of modifying the existing anchor was to reduce cost and let me keep the bigger anchor. I forgot about the galvanizing problem. I'll probably switch the large anchor to be my stearn anchor and use my 8 lb stearn anchor at the bow.
flawton	posted 07-29-2003 11:01 AM ET (US) I recently did just what you described to my anchor. I cut about 5 " off if the shank, rounded it off on the bench grinder, redrilled the hole for the rode shackle, and cold galvinized it (i had to do something to atleast try and prevent rust). I was concerned about reduced holding power but had no problems on a recent trip to the low country. I bought the anchor as a kit, superhooker i think, and it wouldn't fit in the well of my newport.
triblet	posted 07-29-2003 11:42 AM ET (US) Actually, a 5 pound Danforth would be adequate. The 5 pound Hi-Tensile is rated for boats from 18-24'. Chuck
DCPeters	posted 07-29-2003 09:43 PM ET (US) I'd get the 5 pounder that Chuck mentions and stick the 13 (as is)in other on-board storage for heavy weather emergencies. Is there another place to store it on the 2000? I'm not so familiar with the compartments on that vintage. Any room in the console?