Breakaway anchor system based on a tie wire reel

 Yep got it. Just used to reeling in clock wise. How much line is everyone putting on the reel. I've got 200' . Maybe more then I need. But easier to take off then put on.  Thanks

I just ordered a 250' spool of 550 cord. I was planning on using 200', that's probably plenty for any deep ocean adventures.

Not sure if you can get 200' of 550 on the reel .  200' of 200lb. just about filled up reel. Reel it tight might work.

Not sure if you can get 200' of 550 on the reel .  200' of 200lb. just about filled up reel. Reel it tight might work.

When I put tuna leader on my tie wire reel, I left some air space outside the leader, because when I'm out on the water I probably won't reel in the line in the most efficient manner. I don't want to find myself out in the water with my reel jammed full of line, and fifty feet of line still outside the reel.

I finally got mine finished up, and tested it yesterday. Thanks for all the help!

I finally got mine finished up, and tested it yesterday. Thanks for all the help!

Post some pictures!

I have to tweak it a little. The anchor I was using in the Gulf is WAY too big for my needs. I may try a different locking mechanism.

I still have to trim down the screws. I ended up using some hard rubber/nylon kayak handles that I got cheap off of amazon. I just made a loop using 550 cord to "lock" the handle in place. I found out the hard way that my initial loop was to big.
I ended up using PVC for the crank, I wanted a beefier handle, for my lanky fingers. I drilled out the existing handle, and reinforced the center with nylon spacers, don't know if that'll make a difference or not.

Thanks again for all your help fellas.

so how are these working for those that are using them? 550 (parachute) cord ok or no???
would u do anything different now?

so how are these working for those that are using them? 550 (parachute) cord ok or no???
would u do anything different now?

I'm using the Ashaway 200# tuna cord, but I'd considered 550 or 750 paracord for economy.  I have lots of both.

When looking, I noted all 550 paracord is not alike.  If you have the kind that holds the water (the type with a looser outer jacket), you may need to unspool it to let the interior coils dry.

Paracord being a bigger diameter, less fits on the spool.  Even you don't plan to anchor deep, remember you need to release much more line (I forget the factors -- 3x minimal, 7x if rough?) than your depth.   I'm curious how much 550 would fit on a wire reel.

Either cord is not going to break, so keep a knife handy that's able to quickly cut your line should you need to urgently.

thanks dark tuna, how many yards of the tuna cord do u have on ur reel?  this is what i came up with, with out testing yet and til my reel gets here(just ordered) this setup ok? all is 1/4 inch with quick clips plus i put thimbles and shrink tubing on all the ends. 

(have parachute cord tied in loop on reel  knot shrink tubed --- on backside) deploy anchor then pull up thru hole in reel and lock onto that and parachute cord with 2 foot line that goes to anchor ball which then goes in the drink. from ball is 2 foot of bungee to about 6 foot of release line with float. this all right? 

Dampainter,

Looks like a good setup.  You may need to play with how your reel clips onto the bouy so it stays as in line with the current as possible to minimize drag. 

How will it attach to your kayak?  you may want to put a carabineer on the end so you can clip and unclip with one hand, but otherwise this looks very similar to my setup.

the tag end will go thru a trolly to a "figure 9" clip for oh shit! release the anchor line! and then come back and reclip to ...hopefully can manage this all without drilling. one trolly for the bow one for the stern using the side handle as an anchor point for trollies. quick link and pully from stern handle to side handle, same for the bow trolly.

so how are these working for those that are using them? 550 (parachute) cord ok or no???
would u do anything different now?

I'm using the Ashaway 200# tuna cord, but I'd considered 550 or 750 paracord for economy.  I have lots of both.

When looking, I noted all 550 paracord is not alike.  If you have the kind that holds the water (the type with a looser outer jacket), you may need to unspool it to let the interior coils dry.

Paracord being a bigger diameter, less fits on the spool.  Even you don't plan to anchor deep, remember you need to release much more line (I forget the factors -- 3x minimal, 7x if rough?) than your depth.   I'm curious how much 550 would fit on a wire reel.

Either cord is not going to break, so keep a knife handy that's able to quickly cut your line should you need to urgently.

The amount of scope to use on your anchor line is really dependent on the type of anchor.   The 3x/7x is good rule of thumb.  With low wind, low current, you may be able to get by with 3x.  For many anchors though you will get up to twice the holding power by going to a 6 to 8x scope.    I probably wouldn't put chain on my rode for a kayak with a drift boat anchor, but for the claw and danforth types it helps keep the pull horizontal if you are running short scope.   

I put a quick release shackle on my anchor trolley for connecting my anchor line. Then attached a short piece of cord to the pull ring. Then regardless if the trolley is fore or aft I can keep the tag end of the cord within reach and get off anchor easily.