what size anchor?

[Mac]

I'm looking to buy an anchor for my 1982 25 mac. What anchor is best for it? I'm on a tight budget so any help would be great, even a used one if anyone has one. Thanks, Mac

 

[Night Sailor]

anchor size

Assuming proper and prudent rode size and components and scope for the depth:For gentle wind and current areas, normal winds, a 12 lb Danforth is fine for the usual mud or sand. Up to 35 lbs if you encournter high winds, fast currents or rough seas or shell bottoms. IF soft silt or mixed bottom a bruce, rocna or bullwagga of 16 to 20 lbs. If you have gravel, grass or stone bottom, a heavier rock type like claw,delta, cqr, etc. is better up to 35 lbs.

 

[Dana]

Ground tackle, the great unequalizer.

A boat's ground tackle is what separates the novice from the seasoned sailor. Even a small trailer sailor should have an inventory of ground tackle. For a Mac25 I recommend at least one 11 lb Danforth and one 16.5 lb plow type. These will hold you to most bottom types in a real blow. To these you should have 20 feet of 1/4" chain and 100 to 150 feet of 3/8" nylon rode. On our Mac26D I kept the spare anchor and rode in a 5 gallon bucket in the lazorette. (I have now acquired an old three piece fisherman anchor that will be great in rock and weed.)Even on a tight budget you should buy two full sets. If you have to buoy and abandon an anchor you'll still have one to use until you return to retrieve it. If the first anchor drags you'll have a second to deploy. A second anchor is handy to kedge yourself off of a grounding or if you need to reduce your swinging without reducing scope. I'm not a strong believer in "lunch-hooks". Why buy an 8 lb anchor for occasional use when a 16.5 lb storm anchor is just as easy to handle? The 20 feet of chain stores easily and will keep the anchor dug-in, once set. Without chain the boat's motion may lift the anchor's flukes out of the mud. Keep a few feet of hose or canvas to use to protect the rode from chafing at the bow chock.West Marine sells a 16.5 lb claw for $55 and a 13 lb Traditional (Danforth clone) for $48. Add in two 20 ft lengths of 1/4 chain and two 100 ft rodes brings the total cost of two full sets to about $220. This level of ground tackle may be overkill for a quiet night in a sheltered cove, but it'll save your life when bad turns to crisis.

 

[Lamar]

Night Sailor and Dana Nailed it.

A second anchor is also needed when the stern needs to be held in place. (beached in a cross wind or current) Also, learn how to set your anchor, if you don't know how. Good luck.

 

[Mac]

thanks

Thanks everyone! now that I got my eye on the right anchor from West Marine, what about anchor line? should I make my own out of a 150' of 3/8 line? How do I attach the line? should I make my own splice? or tie a bowline? Thanks ahead, Jerry