Anchor Bag
By Dale Mack
November 6, 2001

I was searching for a better method of storing my 11 lbs. stern anchor when I received this blue promotion tool bag from a boating magazine.  Made from all synthetic materials, it occurred to me that it might stand up well to getting wet.

Conversion of the bag to its new purpose involved a couple of minor changes.   First, I replaced the draw string steel grommets with brass, and then I installed a plastic grommet in the bottom of the bag.  By passing the end of the anchor rode through the grommet and then terminating it in a bowline, I have a convenient means of securing the end of the rode to something in the boat when anchoring.

The bag holds over 200 feet of 3/8" nylon anchor rode, and has room for more line or chain.

When anchoring, I place the bag on a cockpit seat, and wrap the bowline over a cleat.  By lowering the anchor hand-over-hand, I've found the rode easily feeds out of the bag.  Bring the anchor back up is simply a reverse process.

I've avoided leaving the the anchor rode wet in the bag for any significant length of time, so mold and mildew hasn't been a problem.  My practice is to air dry the line at the first opportunity.