Anchors

[blued]

Which kind and size of anchor do you use for your boat? I currently dont have a proper one

It'll be used on Loch Ness (probably only in case of engine failure to prevent another fish farm incident!) which is mainly stones but I may also want to use in the Moray Firth which could be sandy in places.

CQR are apparently a good all rounder and I've seen grapple type that look like they would stow away easily.

My boat is a 16' Fletcher Black Max. If you could post type of boat, anchor, size and conditions where it is used?

Cheers!

[jokaboat]

Last boat had a Danforth which was good as it folds flat. Holds well in sand / mud but can be a bugger in gravel as the stones can jam the swivelly bit. Also too easy to trap fingers.

One before had a Bruce which I liked although was bulky. Good holding all over the place (much like a CQR wothout the swivelly bit).

Sorry no idea of the weights though. Both on 18ft bowriders in the Solent so mixed bottom.

Grapnels are really only good in rocky areas and can get stuck fairly easily.

There's my 10 pennorth.

Next?

[Argonaut]

I have a Modified Danforth design, which is a good choice for sand anchoring, as it folds up for easier storage .. and has very good holding power for it's weight.

Be aware Anchors don't hold your boat ... it's the combination of anchor & chain that makes it work.

To use proper terminology the anchor is connected to a scope ... which can be all chain or rope & chain mix. (usual on small boats), and to be even more correct rope should be called .. Anchor warp. (particularly suited to yachtees with beards and Arran pullovers)

The guidelines for how long chain & rope should be are pretty simple.
If you use all chain the length you need to let out is 4 x depth you are anchoring in ........... if rope & chain it is 6 x depth.

Anchors are strong when pull is parallel to sea bed ... weak on vertical pull.
Having correct weight & length of chain, makes sure chain lies on sea bed and any pull on anchor is then parallel to sea bed, i.e. 90 degree to hold.

I carry a 10kg Anchor, 15m of 6mm galvanized chain & 50m of 12mm rope ... allows me to anchor in up to 10m depth.

[baaldi]

Good Shout Argonaut...............

[Cap'n Jack]

Agree with baaldi and good shout Argonaut.

Only thing, I would like to add is this ....... If you anchor in a non tidal water, you are only reliant on wind to move a vessel. This means that the forces moved upon the vessel's structure, above water level. Below the water level are equal to the forces acting either way. Consequently a mud weight may be the only anchor necessary to hold the vessel.

Where a vessel/craft/boat is likely to require anchoring in a tidal water, the the same vessel etc. will require an anchor and rode equivalant to that which will hold it in the correct way.

I think it all depends upon where you want to Anchor and the weight of your boat.

If you have an average Sportsboat and want to anchor in, for example... 10m of water with a tide which runs at about 3 knts then you will need a rode of about 5:1 . This accounts for any rope used within the area's specified.

[blued]

Thanks guys, some good information as always

I was in a local chandlery yesterday and nearly asked them what they recommend until I realised the replacement nav light bulb I needed was £7 If the price of their anchors is on the same scale I think i'll need to buy online!

[baaldi]

Blued

You probably already know this but there are others reading the posts too.

its always worth checking the online shops although postage maybe the issue cos of the weight.

Chandlers are normally in the most expensive places in the town, the Harbour and you pay for convenience. They rely on people coming in on the spur of the moment and buying up little nicks and knacks which soon add up.

Good bargains can be got if you can plan ahead and wait.

[jokaboat]

Talking about tidal vs non tidal.

Don't forget that the scope required should be calculated for maximum anticipated depth. No just depth at the time of anchoring. Been there!

Also you will need more if you are in a strong tide or wind.

A good adage it that rope in the locker is not doing any good!

That's miy thought for the day

[Argonaut]

Thanks guys, some good information as always

I was in a local chandlery yesterday and nearly asked them what they recommend until I realised the replacement nav light bulb I needed was £7 If the price of their anchors is on the same scale I think i'll need to buy online!

Got my Anchor on-line, they even made up the specific length of warp & chain I wanted, came with stainless steel swivels and shackles.

One final tip, think about where you will keep it on board .... even in an under seat locker a danforth bouncing around on waves could do a lot of damage to the hull.
Mine is wrapped in and old wetsuit, and then in a polypropylene sack with chain.

[Noddy]

I've lined my anchor locker with high density foam, some kind of flooring, can't remember where I got it. Keeps my 5kg bruce anchor in place yet easy to deploy. The bruce holds well in sand for it's weight but might not be the easiest to store if you don't have a decent anchor locker.

[blued]

That's strange, I replied to this thread last night with a link to an anchor I found on ebay!

Anyway, here it is again. The seller has said that it'll be more than enough to hold my boat. Ay thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Also good point about the storage location, I have storage space under the back seats so will need to see if there is room there.

[jokaboat]

That should do the trick, I presume you're only talking about short term anchoring and not overnight. The only problem with those anchors is that they're quite wide so a tight fit in some storage lockers. They do fold nice and flat. (mind the fingers )

Good price.

[blued]

Yes just short term if we wanted to stop somewhere or for emergency purposes so the boat doesn't drift into rocks or whatever if the engine was to cut out. I'll do some measuring over the weekend for storage options. I'm thinking there is actually a fair bit of space up front beyond the foot wells.

[baaldi]

Blued, nothing personal. You did post last night and I replied but didnt realise I had deleted your post as well.........

The 5kg is a little bit light but for a 6m Boat you should carry a 8kg Anchor (RNLI Figures). I know your boat is around 5m so it shouldnt be too much of a problem. Remember the more chain you have the greater the power to holding ratio as Argonaut has described.

Hope this helps.

[Cap'n Jack]

baaldi...I told you to watch that finger......it's loaded!!!

CWR anchors are ok for bigger vessels, Rocna's the same, Plough's are basically the same. The Bruce or Danforth/Fluke work better from experience with little boats, although if you buy one that you have seen on ebay at least it will fold flat to go into the locker as JB has already said. I agree with baaldi go for the heavier one with your size of boat.

I know this will be controversial though, on a larger vessel we tend to use anchor chain for the whole rode, this provides two things, abrasion strength and in low winds and tides the weight of the chain provides a little give like a spring. It's big against's are its weight and in stronger winds, no give. On a sportsboat with the lack of space and the limited time at which they spend at anchor, rope is the preferred rode simply that its easier to store and lighter. We must however have at least 20', if not more of chain and I would have at least 40' to provide resistance against chaffing on a rough bottom, which is really why we put it there. It will provide a little spring in low winds and slow tides, however even a small sportsboat weighing in at 1000kgs will lift a 40' chain straight fairly easily in a 5knt current and a 10mph wind. Therefore carrying the correct amount to get the correct scope is important and as JB say's remember to have enough if you are anchoring on a rising tide.

I still like Argonauts set up.