Anchoring in rocks

[skydiveD30571]

Hey guys, I boat on lakes around Kansas and the ones I usually go to are basically rock bottom anywhere near the bank where I would anchor next to a camp site. Rocks come in all sizes from small to too big to carry. When I try to anchor it just skips off the top of them and never digs in. If it gets in between rocks it usually just pushes them out of the way and continues scraping across. For you guys with experience in water like this, I'm just curious about techniques or anchor types to help out. Last year I had to swim out in the middle of the night and retrieve my runaway boat when the anchor didn't set properly. Twice. I'd like to not have to do that again!

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Drop a stern anchor in deeper water where there are no rocks. Slowly motor in toward shore and tie bow off to a tree?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Never thought of dropping a stern anchor first then tieing off. I've tried tieing off to a tree but I usually camp on the east/west sides of coves and with a south wind it swings around and bangs on the rocks. Would a heavy mushroom type anchor work to hold the stern?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Never thought of dropping a stern anchor first then tieing off. I've tried tieing off to a tree but I usually camp on the east/west sides of coves and with a south wind it swings around and bangs on the rocks. Would a heavy mushroom type anchor work to hold the stern?

Ayuh,.... Heavy enough, 'n with a chain, 'n long rode, ya probably...

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Your problem may be technique, your gear, or a combination of both. Plenty of chain and more scope will work wonders. How about telling us about your boat and the specifics of the ground tackle you're now using?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Ayuh,.... Heavy enough, 'n with a chain, 'n long rode, ya probably...

The coves around here aren't all that big/wide (or the lakes for that matter) so having a lot of scope on an anchor way off of the bank worries me. I don't want to cause problems for other people who cant see the underwater line either.

Pez, its a 2007 Seaswirl 210 br. 21' open bow I/O. Right now I have a fairly cheap and light Danforth style anchor. I bought it beginning of last summer when I had no clue as to what I was doing. I plan on upgrading and learning different techniques so I can sleep better on those nights

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

The coves around here aren't all that big/wide (or the lakes for that matter) so having a lot of scope on an anchor way off of the bank worries me. I don't want to cause problems for other people who cant see the underwater line either.

Pez, its a 2007 Seaswirl 210 br. 21' open bow I/O. Right now I have a fairly cheap and light Danforth style anchor. I bought it beginning of last summer when I had no clue as to what I was doing. I plan on upgrading and learning different techniques so I can sleep better on those nights

Ayuh,.... understood,... But,.... anchors work when run at 7:1 to 10:1 scope....

that's 7 to 10 times the water depth...

If ya drop the anchor, out deep, 'n pull the boat nearer to shore, with a tag line To shore, the anchor line will/ should be on, or very near the bottom...
Except of course, right close by the boat...

A 10lb. mushroom, 'n 10' of heavy chain, then line, might get ya 'bout where ya gotta be...

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Anchor rode and chain size is an important factor. What size anchor line and type of line makes adifference to. You should be able to use the boat in reverse to set the anchor firmly. If the anchor your using is not good for rocky bottom, I suggest you get one that is right for those conditions.

Do you not beach the boat? If you do, tie the front cleat off to a tree or spike and then run two stern lines off off the stern cleats, one on the port side and one on the starboard side to trees or sand spikes on both sides, this will keep the boat in place and keep it from swinging.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Look at these.
Not that there cheap but it will give you an idea of what will work

Sea Sense Mighty Mite Hook and Release Anchor 23-26ft Boat from ...
Wholesale Marine - Boat Parts, Boat Paint, Outboard Engine Parts, Pontoon Seats, Anchors, Bimini Tops, Watersports

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Look at these.
Not that there cheap but it will give you an idea of what will work


Let me google that for you
Sea Sense Mighty Mite Hook and Release Anchor 23-26ft Boat from ...

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

The only place I can beach it is at the party cove which is a sandbar. The rest of the lake's bank is all rock so no beaching.

What kind of anchor is best for a rock bottom like these? Not really small rocks, id say most are volleyball-sized or bigger. And usually packed close together.

I will look into a heavy mushroom type anchor and chain for the stern, along with enough line. I knew the rule of 7-10:1 scope but never really thought about how most of the line would be deep enough to not affect other people. Makes sense.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

This may be helpful. The West Advisor: Anchoring Techniques
View the link at the bottom of the article to see West's traditional anchor selections/sizes. If I were you, I'd include 20' of chain in your set-up. That is the standard length of chain for your size boat, and you're in a difficult spot, so don't scrimp there. Practice makes perfect, but being a good swimmer always helps.

 

[Comogene]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

For anchoring in rocks, try Fishermans or grapnel styles. The single fluke on a Fishermans is intended to dig in between the rocks. A grapnel may simply be held in place by the rock. Larger is better and make sure you tie a trip line to the base of the shank and the other end to a small fender or buoy of some type. This should allow you to pull it out backward should it get stuck. If it does get stuck, dive down. I suspect the lake water will not be that deep.

Gene

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

I think the Navy-style anchors work better in rock bottoms.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Thanks for the link it was very useful. Does anyone have experience with Richtor anchors? They seem like a mesh between mushroom and grapnel anchors. I'll look into these and other heavy grapnel styles.

Yea the coves are shallow so its pretty easy to dive down. I plan to tie to a tree and use some sort of heavy grapnel anchor with chain to hold the stern in place so it wont swing around onto the rocks. I'd love sand banks!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Anchoring in rocks

Now while I wouldn't recommend this anchor for any other conditions, it really does work well in rocks. I have the same problem as you, rocky river bottom, about a 3 to 5 knot current, nothing worked until one of the outfitters on the river suggested this >>> Richter Anchors: Buy your last anchor first! I since noticed that all the guides on the river use this anchor, figured there must be something to it.

It is not 100% foolproof with the current but it works way better than anything else I tried. On a lake, it should really work good in the rocks.