Anchor

[Long Story]

General question with a thousand answers but here goes

What is the right or minimum size anchor (hi-set) for our boats? Now that I am getting out more my anchor looks kind of small. I have 30' of chain and 150' of rode.

Comments?

Russ

 

[Stu Jackson]

Here's a chart for you to determine what YOU need based on how you use your boat.

Anchor Selection 101 includes good discussions of various system selections and pictures of new generation anchors on bowsprits both short and extended http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4457.0.html

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I went with the Manson Supreme 35 pounder. It might actually be a little big. I had to take the bail off of the anchor roller and make a bigger one. But we plan to head off cruising soon and wanted to go bigger.

As far as performance I couldn't be happier. It holds very well and sets easily. You could definitely get away with the 25 pound version for lighter duty.

 

[Long Story]

Here's a chart for you to determine what YOU need based on how you use your boat.

Anchor Selection 101 includes good discussions of various system selections and pictures of new generation anchors on bowsprits both short and extended http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4457.0.html

Stu - I'm not seeing a chart?

 

[mfarinas]

General question with a thousand answers but here goes

What is the right or minimum size anchor (hi-set) for our boats? Now that I am getting out more my anchor looks kind of small. I have 30' of chain and 150' of rode.

Comments?

Russ

I have a 30 lb. plow type with 36 feet of 5/16 chain and 150 feet of 5/8 nylon line. My secondary anchor is a 28 lb. Danforth type with 30 feet of 5/16 chain and 100 feet of nylon line.
It is a bit much for the coastal cruising we do, but very recent we were anchored in a fairly protected small bay in Charlotte Harbor, Fl. when we were hit by winds gusting up to 30 knots all night long. I'm glad we were able to increase our scope (water depth was 7 feet). The plow anchor held beautifully!!

 

[Long Story]

What I have right now is a Sampson (22 lb) Delta Fast Set, 35' of chain, and 150' of 1/2 nylon rode. Most of what I will be doing will be Great Lakes, and the Bay of Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Most of the time will be in 10'-12' of water when we anchor. Mosts bays are only protected from one or two sides. As for wind speeds, well, I am happy I was at dock when it hit Friday, we had a front pass through, and I was reading over 44 kts. (local airport recorded 53 MPH) does not happen often but it happens...

 

[Alansails]

18# Danforth Anchor and when we got the boat she had 12' of plastic coated chain with 100' of dockline attached!
We replaced that with 200' of 3 strand and 20' of High Test chain., this is rated for a 36' boat. Our anchoring is mostly day stuff on Lake Erie with the occaisional overnight.

 

[Bob S]

Not sure what the weight difference is between the 30 & 31 but, like Jesse, I went with the Mason Supreme 25# per their recommendation and been very happy. Sets easy and holds.

http://www.manson-marine.co.nz/SitePages/RecommendedSizes/SupremeRecomSizes.htm

I also have 60 of 5/16 chain with 300' of 1/2 Sampson double braid.
http://www.samsonrope.com/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=472

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Not sure what the weight difference is between the 30 & 31 but, like Jesse, I went with the Mason Supreme 25# per their recommendation and been very happy. Sets easy and holds.

http://www.manson-marine.co.nz/SitePages/RecommendedSizes/SupremeRecomSizes.htm

I also have 60 of 5/16 chain with 300' of 1/2 Sampson double braid.
http://www.samsonrope.com/Pages/Product.aspx?ProductID=472

I actually went with the 35 pounder

 

[Long Story]

One more "silly" question. (feel dumb that after three years sailing dock to dock were just now going to anchor for our vacation) Do you tie off to a bow cleat, or do you lead into the anchor locker and tie off to that cleat in the locker? It is a lighter cleat than the bow cleats, and was not sure how it's backed, or if that was just there to secure the rode from leaving the boat? How do you get a good lead through the roller and onto a bow cleat if this is the way to do it, without chafing the side of the roller bracket? I know chain users Will have a snubber rigged to the cleat and that seems pretty straight forward. As I say simple questions but - don't want to damage the boat, spoil the experience or worry the admiral.

 

[Mike Mc]

I usually give the rode a couple of turns around the the windlass and then forward to the starboard cleat. I Don't think the cleat in the locker is strong enough or large enough either.