Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

[Highestgrade]

I have what I believe is a Danforth style anchor. The bottom could flip from side to side. I'm not sure if it is too light or what the problem is with this anchor but I always have problems setting it. there is about 5 ft of chain on it. It hardly ever sets unless if the bottom is really rocky or it hooks a underlying cable. When it sets it really sets most of the time in deep sea & bends from using the motor to get it out. Sandy or less rocky places it seems useless. Today I got totally fed up with this anchor & I am going to purchase a new one tomorrow but I need advice of what type I should get & size to hold a 30ft boat in all bottom conditions on the sea bed.

Thanks guys.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

If it really is a Danforth, you already got the best money can buy.

You need about a 20 pounder. If yours is smaller, go buy a 20 pounder. If yours is larger, just go buy a longer line.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

Might be as simple as inadequate scope. Put out more rode before you set the anchor. 5:1 scope would be a minimum I'd recommend unless you go with an all chain rode. Speaking of chain, 5 feet of chain is not nearly enough for a 30 foot boat. You should have at least 20 feet of chain on the rode, IMO.

The only anchor I'm aware of that is great in most bottom types is a Rocna. They need plenty of chain and scope too though. They are also expensive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

how deep of water are you anchoring in? I recommend 7:1 scope, and 10:1 in high winds. if your on a smooth rocky bottom, not sure of many anchors that catch.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

30 foot boat . . . 20 lb. danforth . . . 15 foot chain . . . At least 5-to-1 scope. Then you should be all 'set'.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

30 foot boat . . . 20 lb. danforth . . . 15 foot chain . . . At least 5-to-1 scope. Then you should be all 'set'.

Ditto...sounds like you just need to tweek what you've got

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

Here's a couple of links that will help you get your head around anchors.:facepalm: Note: they are sail not power boating guidelines.

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/technical/anchorguide.htm

http://www.schoolofsailing.net/anchorsandhowtheywork.html

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

and don't use your motor to pull up the anchor.

I see a technique problem, not an equipment problem.

 

[rbh]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

Danforths work great if you can get them to hook in over a drop off point, otherwise they love to skip across the bottom, you may want to try a plow style.
For what it's worth we have a 16 pound danforth with 40 feet of chain holding our 28" sundancer at anchor, and thats held good when the lake kicked up with 3-5 foot swells at times.
(mindya, just about ripped the pulpit/davit off a couple of times)

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

Chain chain chain chain....5' is for holding tinnys. And are you talking about a Fortress danforth? The ultralight aluminum ones? I have one and it isn't worth it's scrap weight without 15' of chain on it, then it works just fine when set at a proper aspect ratio. Read the links provided above, great basics for anchoring.

 

[Highestgrade]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

i bought an original 14lb danforth anchor today,on the same 5ft of chain & it definitely held much better than the first imitation. I want to extend the chain length from your advice. How much & what size of chain should I put on the anchor?

 

[cpubud]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

15 feet of chain minimum,I would go 25 feet .

 

[Scorpion210]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

When it sets it really sets most of the time in deep sea & bends from using the motor to get it out.

If it is bent, no amount of chain is going to help. Trying to set a bent anchor is tough depending how bent it is. The bend will be helping to un-set it

 

[Highestgrade]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

I'm looking at other boats around & they seem not to have that much chain on the anchor. I'll start with 15 ft & see what happens. What size of chain should I get?

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

I'm looking at other boats around & they seem not to have that much chain on the anchor. I'll start with 15 ft & see what happens. What size of chain should I get?

5/16" would be good with a 14 lb Danforth. That anchor is just barely adequate for a 30 foot boat though (think lunch hook). Would not hold in any sort of a storm.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

We need more info on the boat/use. What type of boat, sail, cruiser, gofast ? Weight? How are you going to use it, fishing, overnight in a cove, or open waters? Do you swim from the boat offshore, skindive?

I know lots of questions but your anchor is your last safety device when the motor goes down and the storm is rolling in or you can't outrun the storm. There is no fun riding out even 6-8 footers for a half hour, but a good setup will keep you safe, a poor/light setup and your in for a life changing experience.

Your new anchor sounds light, and 15 ft. of 5/16 chain is on the low side too. As above it should work for daytime if the boat is close to shore and someone is onboard the boat all the time. As a safety device or even an overnight? not imho

I carry two setups. One like your putting together and one for overnight/safety.

 

[Highestgrade]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

Most of the time I would be anchoring in calmish waters. I anchored today again, this time i had a mask on, watched how the anchor reacted with the chain on it, I do agree with more chain. I'll get 15ft of chain on it & see what happens. the boat is a fishing/rec type walkaround. Would not be doing much overnights

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

The extra amount of chain helps the anchor drag a bit along the sea bottom, allowing it to set. Scope is all important is getting an anchor to set and to hold.

 

[shrew]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

This is a bit odd since sand is where the danforth really shines. I'm am not a fan of danforth anchors and carry one as a spare and part time stern anchor. They usually set and hold well in a single direction. They do not always reset well when there is a change in wind or tide and the direction of pull opposes the direction the achor was set. You didn't mention what size danforth you're using.

As stated more chain is key. Scope is very important. I pay out 10:1 scope then set the anchor, then pull in to 7:1 once the anchor is set. How you're deploying and setting the anchor is also important. I've seen people chuck and all the chain and rode and let it pile up on the seafloor, then wonder why the anchor isn't setting.

I lower the anchor until it hits the seafloor, then back up and pay out line until I'm at 10:1. Cleat off the line, then bump teh boat into reverse then back into neutral and drfit back until allslack is tacken up. When I feel it catch, I reverse again until the anchor is holding, then back into neutral and shut her down. It works every time.

It you really want to look into anchors that hold and perform, look at Rocna or Manson Supreme.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Advice needed: Fed up of this anchor need a new one asap

Most of the time I would be anchoring in calmish waters. I anchored today again, this time i had a mask on, watched how the anchor reacted with the chain on it, I do agree with more chain. I'll get 15ft of chain on it & see what happens. the boat is a fishing/rec type walkaround. Would not be doing much overnights

Highestgrade - you ain't living up to your name. You upgraded to an anchor that is at "ropes end" of securing your 30' boat. I just checked the Danforth website, and the 14lb standard anchor can hold boats up to 31' in 20knot winds. A definition of 20/23 knott/mph winds: "Fresh breeze small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland water." Let's hope that's the strongest wind you ever see on the water or else your anchor will be over-matched.

You state above that "most" of the time you would anchor in "calmish" waters and not "much" overnights. For the safety of your family and/or passengers, you need to plan for that 5% of the time that the waters aren't calmish and/or you're anchored overnight. That's one fine time to be worrying about why you didn't drop the cash on a bigger anchor. You dropped it on a 30' boat, do it on the anchor, chain, and rope.

I'm being harsh to help you realize that buying an anchor and using just enough chain and line to get by is a recipe for disaster. You need to plan for the 1-5% of the time when conditions are rough, your main motor is fried, and you're heading for rocks with your kids on board. What kind of anchor do you need now?

I also think that you need to learn from someone else who owns a Danforth, about how to properly set and retrieve. Half of your problem is in the sizing of the equipment you keep purchasing and the other problem is in you. Find someone you know, someone at your marina, or someone online to go out for a few hours to help you practice the proper way to use the Danforth and secure your boat. It'll pay dividends when you least expect it!