What is the best anchor line to but for a 29.5 hunter (1994)? And how many feet should I buy? I sail on the Chesapeake Bay.
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Buy a quality name
like New England or Sampson, it will last longer and cost less in long run. I use 150' of 5/8 line with 15' of 3/8 chain. and another 15' of 3/8 chain in the bildge that I can add on if necessary. That might seem like a little much if you don't anchor out alot but you never know. Last summer we spent the night in our favorite little cove, the forcast called for "scattered evening thunderstorms" so I gave myself alittle more scope than usual and added some chafing gear. The front hit at midnight with 75 mph winds. We were fine but we spent the morning helping another couple get their boat off a sand bar.
like New England or Sampson, it will last longer and cost less in long run. I use 150' of 5/8 line with 15' of 3/8 chain. and another 15' of 3/8 chain in the bildge that I can add on if necessary. That might seem like a little much if you don't anchor out alot but you never know. Last summer we spent the night in our favorite little cove, the forcast called for "scattered evening thunderstorms" so I gave myself alittle more scope than usual and added some chafing gear. The front hit at midnight with 75 mph winds. We were fine but we spent the morning helping another couple get their boat off a sand bar.
Go Oversize
I totally agree with Howard. If you use your boat for cruising at all, use the anchor that came with the boat for a lunch hook and buy a good oversize anchor and ground tackle for overnight use. This is the best insurance. In the northwest the anchorages can be in 75 feet of water so lotsa chain and road is the rule. We can also get high storm/heat related winds, just like the east coast areas, even in August. Get good quality rated shackles - not made in China. This is no place to save a penney. Attach to a sufficiently stout secure point which may not be the same U-bolt that came with the boat. Besides, if you get a larger boat just transfer the new tackle to the new boat.
I totally agree with Howard. If you use your boat for cruising at all, use the anchor that came with the boat for a lunch hook and buy a good oversize anchor and ground tackle for overnight use. This is the best insurance. In the northwest the anchorages can be in 75 feet of water so lotsa chain and road is the rule. We can also get high storm/heat related winds, just like the east coast areas, even in August. Get good quality rated shackles - not made in China. This is no place to save a penney. Attach to a sufficiently stout secure point which may not be the same U-bolt that came with the boat. Besides, if you get a larger boat just transfer the new tackle to the new boat.
Double Hook
Bob, I would recommend carrying at least two good anchors with extra rode. I like using a Bahama moor in windy conditions with the 2 set about 45 to 60 degrees apart off the bow. I've used this to ride out some pretty stiff winds in open anchorages in the Keys. With two, you can also anchor bow and stern in tight anchorages. The second anchor really comes in handy if the first is so fouled you can't retrieve it and you have to cut it loose. It happens! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Bob, I would recommend carrying at least two good anchors with extra rode. I like using a Bahama moor in windy conditions with the 2 set about 45 to 60 degrees apart off the bow. I've used this to ride out some pretty stiff winds in open anchorages in the Keys. With two, you can also anchor bow and stern in tight anchorages. The second anchor really comes in handy if the first is so fouled you can't retrieve it and you have to cut it loose. It happens! Dick Vance H-25.5 "Honey Bear"
Try 1/2" line, 2 types of anchors and a sentinel
For my H29.5, I have 150' and 300' lengths of samson super strong anchor line as well as a 20 lb Danforth Hi Tensile and 25 lb CQR. 25' of 5/16 hi test chain is on the danforth and 13' of 3/8 chain is on the cqr. I also use 3/8 stainless quick links so I can switch anchors and line easily. A sentinel is a weight attached to the anchor rode which keeps the pull more horizontal and, more importantly, prevents keel wrap, which occurs when wind and tide combine to turn the boat, wrapping your anchor line around the keel. The sentinel holds the line below the keel and also cuts down on "sailing" at anchor. This combination gives me options for nearly any bottom or depth I would encounter in Southern New England. The Danforth works well in mud and sand; the cqr works well in other bottoms. If I were doing it all over again, I would ONLY buy New England Ropes 3 strand line, which Practical Sailor rated superior in chafe resistance. I use a chafe guard at the bow roller right now.
For my H29.5, I have 150' and 300' lengths of samson super strong anchor line as well as a 20 lb Danforth Hi Tensile and 25 lb CQR. 25' of 5/16 hi test chain is on the danforth and 13' of 3/8 chain is on the cqr. I also use 3/8 stainless quick links so I can switch anchors and line easily. A sentinel is a weight attached to the anchor rode which keeps the pull more horizontal and, more importantly, prevents keel wrap, which occurs when wind and tide combine to turn the boat, wrapping your anchor line around the keel. The sentinel holds the line below the keel and also cuts down on "sailing" at anchor. This combination gives me options for nearly any bottom or depth I would encounter in Southern New England. The Danforth works well in mud and sand; the cqr works well in other bottoms. If I were doing it all over again, I would ONLY buy New England Ropes 3 strand line, which Practical Sailor rated superior in chafe resistance. I use a chafe guard at the bow roller right now.
all good answers
All the responses are right on. Although I am now in Annapolis, I have spent a good bit of my boating time in North Carolina and the hurricanes there have made me a believer in "more than needed" when it comes to anchoring. It truly scares me to see the complacency among the Chesapeake sailors when it comes to storms. Go for the next size larger on all things, and I recommend that you drop by your West Marine to read the information they have on recommended sizes of rode, anchors, line, etc. depending on your boat size and likely wind conditions. A good "rule of thumb" to start from anyway.
All the responses are right on. Although I am now in Annapolis, I have spent a good bit of my boating time in North Carolina and the hurricanes there have made me a believer in "more than needed" when it comes to anchoring. It truly scares me to see the complacency among the Chesapeake sailors when it comes to storms. Go for the next size larger on all things, and I recommend that you drop by your West Marine to read the information they have on recommended sizes of rode, anchors, line, etc. depending on your boat size and likely wind conditions. A good "rule of thumb" to start from anyway.
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