I was wondering if it is safe to tie off to your back cleat when pulling the anchor. My problem is that my rope is getting too close to my prop when I drive upstream. I've heard the horror stories about getting caught in the prop and sinking boats. Also, is it better to have more or less line out when pulling the anchor (ie I have 300' of line but only 200 is out, should I let the rest out before pulling?)
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

You have to pull from the front of your boat.If you pull from the back and you are hung tight it will pull your boat down yes sinking you.when you start to pull anchor just let a bunch of line out it is best if you have a person in the boat to help to keep the rope out of the prop.I have learn the hard way and suck the rope up the pump lucky for me the anchor was up. WEAR A LIFE VEST Thats my two cent on the subject

Actually, I think that when you are pulling up your anchor, it is OK to swap the rode from the bow to the stern. If the anchor sticks, you will just stop tight. I don't think you can sink your boat in this manner. The worst that can happen is the stern comes down, but since you are (presumably) heading upstream, that's OK. The swap from bow to stern could be tricky, though. If for some reason you have already tied off to the stern, then you lose power or get spun around, things could get ugly. A sharp knife is the tool of choice at that point .

Nothing can save you, however, if you get the rode wrapped around the prop -- you can't get it loose or cut it without hanging your arse off the back of the boat, it likely will stall the motor, and now you are at the mercy of the river. Getting the rode wrapped up in the prop is a lot less likely when it is tied off of a stern cleat.

To answer your first question NO! Never tie off an anchor rope from any spot on your boat. use one wrap and some say always have a sharp knife ready in case. It only takes one hang up for one to loose a whole lot. I feel the same principals apply when pulling the anchor. Rather the boats set up with a steering wheel forward or a tiller handle on the back. Use a cleat where its works best for your boat set-up. If your going to fast and the rope doesn't get released from any place in the boat you stand a good chance of going down. What affects the ease of pulling the anchor is the conditons around you. If the tide is still running make sure the motors warmed up before some one unhooks the rope. If the tides slack and you have a little tail wind watch you don't run over the rope to fast. I can not see any reason to throw the rest of the rope in just to turn around an pull it back up a few minutes later. Lets pull the anchor!!!! Do not run right over the top of where your anchor rope was just hanging to the front of the boat. Go the the side slightly take one wrap on a cleat and motor up river slow. Be aware of your neighbors anchor ropes I am saying did they let out alot of rope if so when going up river don't cross over on to their anchor rope. Maybe the other side would of been a better side to pull from. You don't have to go up river very far to see the anchor rope out to the side clear of the prop or pump now turn back just a slight bit and continue up river until your float is dragging the anchor behind it. Not very ofter but If the anchor does hang up this is why we go slow. Now depending on conditions how do you pick up all the rope. If a lot of boats are still in the hog line just motor out slow past the last boat in line just like you would do with a fish on. Once free of the boats pull the rope in. Practice makes perfect so they say. Good Luck

Never tie off to the back of your boat. That is a good way to lose it. You could probably get away with it, but if you lost power and floated downstream GAME OVER. Always make sure your kicker is up as well.

You can pull your anchor up with 20 feet out so no you don't have to let out more line. Just angle away from your bouy as you power ahead and you will be fine.

Kris

Don't even think about tying your main anchor line to a stern cleat in a river. Read Ifish.net if you want to find stories about the boats that have gone down anchored that way. More instructions about using anchor pullers are there on ifish too since Columbia River is the boards "specialty".

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the info.

Another good trick is to attach your shackle to the flute end, and tie the chain to the eye on the shaft. I use masons braided line about (80 lb test) If the anchor hangs on the bottom the line will part (hopefully) and you can pull the anchor from the flute end.

I've pulled and set it from the stern or side when I was by myself (I have a fairlead on the bow that I leave it in and make fast to a side cleat) but I always keep the rode taunght, and the slack onboard.



herm