Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

[Fordiesel69]

We all anchor in sand. Mine is the only boat that has trouble setting. I have 6' chain on a danforth like everyone else does. May anchor is the same size as everyones as well. However, my rop is a strech type so when you pull I can get 6-12" of strech. Everyone elses is a non stretch type rope. Is this where my problem is? Local marina says no, and that I should be happy it is the strech type.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Typically, you need three times more length on the rope than the water depth. So if you are anchoring in 3' of water, you need at least 9' of rope out. The chain should help as well.

Not sure if this is your problem or not.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

I was at 9 feet, I had out 150 feet and still had problems.

 

[Tig]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Based on what I have read, anchor rode should have some stretch to it like a properly sized nylon rode will. Length should be 7 times the distance from the tie off point (bow eye) to the bottom of the lake.
I use 10' of 5/16 chain. The purpose of the chain is to keep the pull on the anchor low and like the nylon rode it will also buffer wave shock.
Try more or heavier chain. 6' seems pretty short.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Based on what I have read, anchor rode should have some stretch to it like a properly sized nylon rode will. Length should be 7 times the distance from the tie off point (bow eye) to the bottom of the lake.
I use 10' of 5/16 chain. The purpose of the chain is to keep the pull on the anchor low and like the nylon rode it will also buffer wave shock.
Try more or heavier chain. 6' seems pretty short.

But the stretch I have is 2x more any any of my buddies lines. They all have 6' chains as well. I can try another length of 6' for a total of 12', but being the strech factor is the only difference, I assumed it was my problem.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Get some of the nonstretch rope and see if it helps, problem solved if it does... if not, you can never have too much rope.

 

[sambrigman]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

put your anchor down slowly, when you feel it touchdown keep a little tension on the line as you drift, laying your anchor and chain out across the bottom. Don't throw it out and pile the chain on top of it, I think you will find that 1 chain will suffice if you put out enough line...

 

[rbh]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Setting an anchor is alot like setting a hook in a fishes mouth, once its on the bottom and you have floated 45 Degrees +- past were it hit bottom, give it a good tug to set the tynes/flukes.
If it skips or doesnt set try again (I like to get mine to set over a drop off)

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

SEVEN TIMES??? That is a LOT of rope. I don't use any chain, and use 3/8" nylon rope on one anchor, and 1/4" clothesline on the other (this one is just for tossing off the back if the wind is trying to pull my boat side to side). 3X the depth works for me. Anchor won't come loose until I pull my boat toward the anchor and am nearly directly above it, then I can pull it straight up and it lets loose.

I also do what sambrigman says, letting it out slowly to keep it under control so it doesn't flip and flop or tangle on the way down.

I am interested in hearing what you find your problem to be. These kind of little problems can be quite annoying...

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

I will report back when I find the problem. It is not my technique becase all last year I have no problems.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

I recomend at least 10' of stainless chain. Lower the anchor to the bottom, don't toss it, back the boat slowly paying out the rope (i use standard rope) as you go. Tie it off and back a bit more to get it to bite, this has always worked well for me, hope it helps.

Red

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

I recomend at least 10' of stainless chain. Lower the anchor to the bottom, don't toss it, back the boat slowly paying out the rope (i use standard rope) as you go. Tie it off and back a bit more to get it to bite, this has always worked well for me, hope it helps.

Red

That's the way I do it too and never had a problem. If you ever anchored in clear water with a pretty good wind blowing and swam over to your anchor, you can clearly see what the chain does for you.

3x is the number I was taught in boating school and has always worked for me.

Mark

 

[sasto]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

7:1 rode with as much chain as your boat can handle. 3 strand nylon is my choice of line. Has a little stretch, but not much. Too much stretch and you will just keep tugging on your anchor.

Good Luck!

Oh, check my last post here...http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=462079&highlight=sasto....this will give you an idea of "what not to do"

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

With all that was posted, most have the appropriate responses. Anchor chain is a must, about 12' should be good for your craft. What wasn't mentioned was the size of the chain. 12' of 5/8" galvanized or SS is fine. 12' of 1/4" dog chain is not...

Three strand anchor rode is preferred for anchoring. Some stretch is required. Rode that is non stretch just transfers the rocking boat to the anchor, allowing it to tug free.

When you drop anchor, are you allowing the boat to drift to set it or are you setting it under power? You're supposed to back down a bit under power to bury the flukes into the sand. Also, make sure your flukes freely move back and forth. If they are a bit corroded or too tight, they they don't break plane with the shank and it's no good.

The perferred scope of 7:1 is good. This provides abour 85% of the anchor's holding ability. 10:1 gives 100%. Any more than that and it's overkill. You're not gaining anything. In easy current or light wind, 4:1 usually is sufficient.

 

[Cap’n Ray]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Just my 2c... I see a LOT of variation in what is suggested, and many times people come across as suggesting their way is THE way to do it. I know many of the members here spend most of their time in salt water, or on the great lakes- in which case I would ABSOLUTELY AGREE with the 7-10 to 1 scope to depth calcs. HOWEVER, if you are on a calmish inland lake, 3-4 to 1 is likely more than sufficient. I used 3:1 with both of my 27' boats with excellent results in light wind (<25mph), don't usually go out when it gets too windy(30+) as it's unpleasant on the water and difficult to dock. I know I'll get flamed for being a "fair weather boater" but right now, that's just MY personal preference. I do think that an anchoring question should include bottom type, depth, location (inland vs 'big water' etc), as well as purpose (fishing for a few hours vs spending a week on the hook) and anticipated weather. All of the above can have a huge impact on weather we use 30' of scope in 9' water or 60' of scope in the same 9'. Again, just my .02! Happy boating!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

I was at 9 feet, I had out 150 feet and still had problems.

this tells me the anchor wasn't set; you probably lost the pull with all that line out. I've seen old danforths not drop the flukes all the way, too.

The 7:1 that you hear all the time is for anchoring a substantial boat overnight in adverse conditions, and is seldom necessary for a "lunch hok." Likewise, chain the length of the boat is overkill for most recreational boating. 6' should be fine, but it needs weight, as others said. Your stretch is not going to hurt your anchoring and in fact should help.

I've had danforths drag across a hard flat sand bottom and it's frustrating. Just work on getting it set to start with. Sometimes light or no current/wind to pull on it keeps it from setting, as does fast wind/current that keeps it skittering along the bottom.

 

[sasto]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

The 7:1 that you hear all the time is for anchoring a substantial boat overnight in adverse conditions, and is seldom necessary for a "lunch hok." Likewise, chain the length of the boat is overkill for most recreational boating. 6' should be fine, but it needs weight, as others said. Your stretch is not going to hurt your anchoring and in fact should help.

I've had danforths drag across a hard flat sand bottom and it's frustrating. Just work on getting it set to start with. Sometimes light or no current/wind to pull on it keeps it from setting, as does fast wind/current that keeps it skittering along the bottom.

While I have to agree with Home Cookin' on some....I also have disagree. The OP says he is from Erie, which may mean he in on a big lake. Big seas may build up in a minute. Take into the fact a large wake from another big boat.

When I fish close by my home I use about 3:1...when I'm further in the ICW I use at least 7:1. This is in a 23footer.

When we are talking about "line streatch" are we using double braid or 3 strand. I don't like double braid except for dock lines.

This subject and I have been around and around amongst other mariners.....and everybody has different ideas, just as we do here. I think I'll sit back and enjoy this thread, and maybe learn a thing or two....but 2 things I won't change, my chain, or my 3 strand twisted nylon anchor line.

 

[natedog337]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

While I have to agree with Home Cookin' on some....I also have disagree. The OP says he is from Erie, which may mean he in on a big lake. Big seas may build up in a minute. Take into the fact a large wake from another big boat.

When I fish close by my home I use about 3:1...when I'm further in the ICW I use at least 7:1. This is in a 23footer.

When we are talking about "line streatch" are we using double braid or 3 strand. I don't like double braid except for dock lines.

This subject and I have been around and around amongst other mariners.....and everybody has different ideas, just as we do here. I think I'll sit back and enjoy this thread, and maybe learn a thing or two....but 2 things I won't change, my chain, or my 3 strand twisted nylon anchor line.

Did i miss it but what size anchor u using?

 

[sasto]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

Did i miss it but what size anchor u using?

I said I was going to sit back and learn....but you forced me into it, natedog.

4000lb, 23 footer I use a 14lb Danforth.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Anchoring??? I am having difficulty.......

I must be worlds most un-nautical boater, but for my 19ft and the one we had before (that weighed more), an 18is lb Navy type anchor, 3 feet of chain and 3 strand line is all I've ever needed. I fully understand that scope is necessary to keep the angle correct, but if I layed out 150 feet of line for 10 feet of water??? I'd be drifting into 50 boaters in the cove! Granted I'm in a lake and dont deal with tides, but for 50 ft of water I'll likely put out 65-70ft of line and I'll never drag. Why does everyone try to get by with such insufficient anchors? Whats wrong with a little extra weight?