Alternatives to the big foam anchor retriever floats??

[finga]

I was doing my usual morning reading of "Footrot Flats" over my WheatBix and thought about those huge foam balls on the anchor retrievers.
Now we all know they're big suckers that get in the way all the time when you try to store them so I thought about using an inflatable fender (size would be dependent upon the boat and/or anchor size) with a lanyard attached to it with an eye in the end of the lanyard that could be attached to a clip on the anchor rope clip??
You can get some doozies with aluminium eyes in them so breakout may not be a problem.

In this way the fender could be still used as a fender.
Will this work??
What other things can be used instead of the big foam balls.
Has anyone ever broken a foam ball??
http://www.biasboating.com.au/fenders.html
Cheers then
Scott :)
PS this is all your fault Wags ;D

[Stubbie Holder]

I use one of those neat little products from Lewmar, no balls no floats but my finger does get tired sometimes from holding the switch in the "up" position when retreiving the anchor!

Sorry. couldn't help myself!!!

Stubbie.

[FNQCairns]

Years ago we used to use a plastic commercial float more elongated than round, they are tough and it had a type of handle moulded into it, cannot say now if was foam filled (don't think it was) but would like it back to replace the foam ball I use now, looking to run into something the same again somewhere in my travels.

cheers fnq

[Chimo]

Hi Scott

Used this for years and hung it on the bow rail between uses.

Cheers
Chimo

[fish-n-dive]

Hi Scott

Used this for years and hung it on the bow rail between uses.

Cheers
Chimo

What is that, a 20 lt. drum?

[Roughasguts]

Guess you could use the bladder from an old wine cask. ( I get plenty of those around the boat) wack that in a canvas bag or a net and see how it goes, there easy to blow up and remain air tight.

[Chimo]

Hi Fish and Dive

Yes its a 20 lt ex acid drum. Also good as a shock absorber on the anchor line in big swells.

Chimo

[nigelr]

I use an orange plastic taiwanese longline float I found on the beach after a storm.
Cheap and resists the sun very well, about 30cm diameter.
Being only a 4.2 mtre tinny using a reef pick, plenty big enough to work effectively.
Cheers.

[Fish Guts]

finga,

we have a 20litre drum, bit bigger than a chlorine drum, premade with the stainless steel ring through the handle. sits in its own holder up the front. it saves using 2 floats as one isnt enough for our setup.

cheers

fish guts

[whiteman]

The foam ball doesn't have to be too big. I keep mine in the kill bin (a garbage bin) when on the move. I could easily set up a hook next to the anchor well. I have more trouble storing tackle boxes!