QRAS Questions

Hello: After heading out in windy weather for the second time I have decided I need to get my anchor system rigged up before I go again. I want to use the QRAS shown in the sticky. I have a Tarpon 120 with rudder. I would like to have the anchor set in the center of the rear. The rudder offers an extra challenge on how to accomplish this. I plan to put the quick release rope on my left side because my rudder trolley is on the right. Is it a good idea to set up the anchor for front and back? I would like to hear what everyone has done to work around their rudder. I am thinking about having some rope extending in back of the yak so it will clear the rudder and still give me a centered anchor point. I have considered the rear handle but I am not sure if the rudder would be in the way. I am open to suggestions.

Maybe an eyepad on each side about six inches forward of the rear. Tie a piece of rope to both sides and put a ring in the middle of the rope to attach the anchor to. Maybe get a little fancy so I can keep the rope segment pulled in tight when not using the anchor so it can't get snagged on something.

The handle is below the rudder and slightly to the right of the word "blade".

You'll be center enough the way it is.
Why mess with perfection? 
It ain't broke. No need to fix it.
Tried. Tested. Proven.
You can thank Chadrock for this reply. He knows.

Not quite sure what you mean "the way it is" since I haven't started yet. Are you saying put an eyepad near, but not too near the drain plug and that will be close enough to center?

Mine is about 2-3" to the side and that is fine. No need to have it centered. Sorry, can't find any pics at the moment.

Not quite sure what you mean "the way it is" since I haven't started yet. Are you saying put an eyepad near, but not too near the drain plug and that will be close enough to center?

Exactly.
Your kayak will sway a little side to side with the current.
It's better to have the last pad eye on the same side of the release.
It will prevent you from getting the line caught in the rudder.

Just do it the way it is presented in the Sticky. I anchor in gnarly current regularly and am fine. A few inches from the back, as is demonstrated in Tote's tutorial, is fine to track straight while on anchor. Don't forget to use the section of bungee material, it makes all the difference.

If I go an inch past the edge of the drain plug I will be about 4 inches past center. I will follow these suggestions. Thanks

Yeah, don't worry about it man. When you're anchored up, the bungee will stretch and the float will be directly behind you. Even if the rope is a few inches up from your drain plug. You've got nothing to worry about.

***and if you ever want to fish for stripers or Sturgeon on a weekday in Suisun Bay, hit me up!

I found a 1/4 - 1/2 clam cleat. They did not have one that was 3/8. I assume this is the same or just as good but I wanted to check. I didn't see a size for the eyepad but a 3/8 rope easily fits in the one I got.

Pad eyes are pretty standard size.
Make sure the cleat will give you a very good 'bite' on the rope.
Just because you happen to have a cleat and a piece of rope doesn't mean it's going to work the way it should.
Remember, it's going to be wet and will get jerked on.

Tote knows how to rig, and puts a ton of thought into his setups.  I use his QRAS, and it is the safest anchor system I have used to date. 

I was a little confused on the clamcleat size. The size I got shows a range of 1/4-1/2 and the instructions seemed to call for a specific size. I believe the quick release is an important safety factor and I want to get it right. Since the 1/4 in size is smaller than the 5/16 mentioned I assume it will be able to hold the rope tight. I wouldn't want to drill holes only to find out it is the wrong one. I will get the rope and try the fit.

Well I finally got my QRAS rigged up. I got a 2nd kayak for my wife, son or friends to use so I had to rig up two of them. I got to use them for the first time today when my wife and I went to Shagg slough. It works great. I am using a length of chain for my anchor and the other one is using the folding anchor that came with it. The QRAS was so convienient to use I didn't hesitate to release and go help my wife or to hand things off when necessary. Then right back and anchor up. I was doing a lot of swinging though. I'm not sure if that was the conditions or the fact that my eye pad could not be mounted all the way back. Regardless I am very happy with the setup. Now I can get back to fishing. Thanks for the help and the QRAS! On top of that my wife was making her first kayak fishing trip and she caught a nice catfish. Nothing like catching a fish on your first trip to give her the bug to go again.

Then right back and anchor up. I was doing a lot of swinging though. I'm not sure if that was the conditions or the fact that my eye pad could not be mounted all the way back.

That will happen even if it was mounted dead center.

A bit of  threadjack, but where did you launch to get into Shagg Slough, that whole area looks really interesting.