Anchor advice.

[Skinnywater]

Currently I have a Chene anchor that is rated for my size boat (16-18ft.) I have 5ft. of chain attached to it.<br /><br />Specifically I'm wanting an efficient anchor for a river with a current of 2-3 mph, that has a gravel/cobb bottom. Typically I'll anchor in 6-20 ft. of water. <br /><br />Getting my present anchor to stick is at best a 50/50 situation.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Anchor advice.

If you want to ancour in a current. The anchor <br />you have will do the job, all you need to make it<br />hold is a good length of chain. The best anchor<br />chain should beat least 2/3 the length of the boat<br />The chains weight would be determined by how well<br />the anchor held in the current where you were <br />anchored. My guess would be to hold a boat of that<br />size in a strong current you would want a weight<br />of at lest 25 lb probable 3/8 chain. but in a<br />light current 4 to 5 knots you could get away with<br />a lighter chain.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anchor advice.

Skinnywater<br />I have a 21 foot boat and could anchore there 100 times out of 100 times. I have a 4 LB anchor and 4 foot of 1/4 inch chain and 250 feet of line. My anchore is a Fortress FX7 and has been rated best by US Coast Guard and several boating magiznes.<br /><br />Scope is more important than chain length. Chain good and helps for short scope (3 to 1) but for normal scope (7 TO 1) chain main function is to protect line from damage from rocks.<br /><br />We anchore in up to 80 of water and currents to 4 MPH and never have any trouble. Still in that area see boats dragging anchors every day. They just do not get enough anchore line.<br /><br />The Fortress FX 7 is so lite my wife can pull it with no trouble. She would rather pull the anchor than run the boat when foggy or lots of boat around.

 

[flashback]

Re: Anchor advice.

I,ll go with boatist on this one, your anchor is adequate for the situation you discribe, but like most folks, you are not using enough line for the depth of the water. 7 feet of rode for every foot of water is a good ratio..

 

[Bigfun]

Re: Anchor advice.

Rivers and snags may lose you a few of the typical comercial anchors. The best river anchor, I have found, is either inexpencive and heavy or heavy. In michigan most people use 1' to 3' length of 2" to 6" links of chain. I scuba dive and have found over 100 anchors over the years. The easiest to lose are the dansforth types.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Anchor advice.

We discussed this on an earlier post, and except for the stronger current (and my larger boat), Boatist & I probably anchor in similar situations. Inspired by him, I did spring for a Fortress, only to discover that the 6-9 mph currents in the Columbia didn't let the anchor drop as fast as I would like. Not wanting to go to 20' of chain, I went to a danforth-like that was 1/5 the price and twice the weight, and kept 5' of chain. So far, so good.<br />Check out this string and learn more: http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003539 <br /><br />The anchor that really works is something like this: http://www.motionmarine.com/accessories/index.html (hit the accessory list; it's the rocker anchor) but it's heavy to pull, and I'm hoping my lighter Danforth will be easier to pull. (which reminds me, Boatist, we're still looking for a picture of your anchor puller! )

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anchor advice.

Skinnywater<br />What Captain Mike said about the Fortress is correct, not a cheap anchor and lite so when setting inportant to get boat stopped in water with only slow reverse.<br /><br />Capt Mike<br />I really feel bad that you did not like the anchor we love ours. It does sink slower than our spare steel anchor but not too bad. I only have 5/16 inch line on ours. Not sure what you mean by anchor puller unless you mean the Wife?<br /><br />I also agree with Big fun on river snags good way to loose anchore. I will say this though a anchor that drags will get hung up much more than one that hits bottom and digs in. Reason is it drags until it finds a tree root or big rock to hang up on.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Anchor advice.

I would go for about 20 or 25 feet of chain, it is alot BUT you can sleep safe and sound at night. Then also carry a 5 foot piece of chain, if you are overnighting use the 20 to 25 foot. if you are anchoring in the day use the 5 foot piece.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[sloopy]

Re: Anchor advice.

oh and also remember you still need the rode with the chain <br /><br />good luck<br />7:1 works best

 

[crab bait]

Re: Anchor advice.

i like those newer 'CLAW 'anchors.. they'er the poop.. lite weight ,easy to store.. an they hold like a scared poker player...<br /><br />a 'bruce' anchor an a 'claw' are the exact same thing.. 'cept a bruce cost $140.oo & a claw is $40.oo..

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Anchor advice.

Last weekend I was trying to hold up for some trout. I could see them in the current.<br /><br />I was trying to anchor in 7-8 ft. of water and the current was 2-3mph. My anchor is very similar in design to the Fortress except it is a heavier galvanized unit. Like I mentioned before, I have 5ft. of 3/8 in. chain. I let out 50ft of of rope.<br />I could hear the anchor clanging away at the bottom for 600 yards.<br /><br />I'm going to do a search on all of your suggested anchors and many thanks to all for your input.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Anchor advice.

Skinnywater, your chain needs to be at least as <br />long as your boat. Make sure it has a good weight<br />to it. Then your hook (anchor) will not let you<br />down!