( This is a "repackaged" version of a very old web site I did about
some projects to my old Santana 2023C sailboat)

Improved Anchoring Scope

I saw this idea elsewhere on the net and I made an improvement to it. The blue line is the normal anchoring style. As you can see, if you connect a shackle or something (I'm using a SS chain link with the threaded lock) to the trailer bow eye you pick up an incredible amount of scope ratio for free. It is improved by the difference in height above water of the bow eye vs. the deck level.

For example, a 5:1 scope in 10 feet of water (including deck height above waterline) becomes better than a 6:1 scope at the bow eye (assumes a 2ft difference between the deck height and the bow eye)! This is the idea that I found on the internet.

I then had the idea to add a really strong rubber bungee cord to the bow eye and shackle arrangement. I used one of those heavy duty black rubber ones that come with the "S" hooks on the end. I put the bungee through the bow eye in a "U" shape, then attach my SS chain link to both of the ends (without the "S" hooks) through the holes in the rubber and at the same time capture the anchor rode inside the chain link before screwing the throat closed.

This serves two purposes. First it adds a level of shock protection to the whole system because the rode can slide through the SS chain link as needed (chafe?) as the bungee stretches. Second, it keeps the clicking and clanking of the original setup away (the shackle connected right on the bow eye) by having only the bungee cord rubber touching the boat through the bow eye (no metal on metal). I keep the bungee in the anchor locker. They are so cheap that you can replace them anually if needed (sun & salt water wear and/or stretched out).

I always cleat off the rode up on deck anyway so that if the bungee breaks or something else fails, the worst case is that I am back to the way I would have anchored in the first place.