anchor chains or not

[tocostew]

I was wondering if putting chains on the anchor is a must. If so then I need to get them cause it seems like everytime I try and achor I drift. I have a 18' 2000 Aquatron. If I need them how long should they be and how big? thanks for any input..

 

[pat8839]

Re: anchor chains or not

I have heard that a good rule of thumb is 1 ft of rope per ft of boat. With that being said, I have a 19 ft boat but have 10ft of chain. I know that the chain helps lay down your anchor so that it can "grab" the bottom.

The drifting may be a direct result as to the type of anchor and the bottom surface of the body of water you are on...

 

[nlain]

Re: anchor chains or not

You need chain on the anchor, it helps hold the anchor down so it can grab whatever bottom you are anchoring in. Then you need plenty of line to be able to let out the proper amount to 7 to 1 scope, 7 feet line for every 1 foot up, bottom to where you tie off anchor line to boat. I have about 6 feet of chain on mine and have had no problems.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: anchor chains or not

6' of chain should be plenty. The chain absorbs the shock of the boat tugging on the anchor due to wind/waves. I would also the proper amount of scope in order to keep the anchor set, especially in soft bottoms. We have 100' foot of line on our anchor rode, and use 50' of it when anchoring in 10-15 foot of water. It's not quite 7 to 1 ratio, but water/wind conditions dictate what scope will be necessary in order to hold your position. If I'm in a still cove, I can drop a mushroom anchor on our jetski and be just fine. If I'm in an area with lots of wind and/or waves, the fluke anchor with enough rode out to provide higher scope is necessary.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: anchor chains or not

9ft of chain was the best thing I ever bought for my boat and my sanity.
I never have any trouble anchoring now. Just make sure you have enough scope so that the whole length of that chain can lie on the bottom.

Go get some chain my friend!

 

[ckwizard]

Re: anchor chains or not

I have the exact same boat and 6-feet of chain keeps me from drifting.

 

[partskenn]

Re: anchor chains or not

I have a 26 ft boat, 8ft of chain. Works great.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: anchor chains or not

The more chain the better!! Going from 6' to 12' of chain made a huge difference.

 

[tocostew]

Re: anchor chains or not

thanks for all the replies guys, now what size do I need to get?

 

[nlain]

Re: anchor chains or not

5/16

 

[Fireman431]

Re: anchor chains or not

I have a 37' boat and 275' of 5/16" chain. I wonder if that's enough...

 

[sasto]

Re: anchor chains or not

Lets not forget the chain also aids in avoiding line chafing while lying on the bottom around debris...aka rocks.

I hope you never need more than that, Fireman. 250' is common with most boatbuilders....as I'm sure you know!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: anchor chains or not

Lets not forget the chain also aids in avoiding line chafing while lying on the bottom around debris...aka rocks.

I hope you never need more than that, Fireman. 250' is common with most boatbuilders....as I'm sure you know!

And I'm usually in water no deeper than 20'. I wonder why I continue to lug all of that weight around. I should consider shortening it by approx 100'. I wonder how much weight that would be???

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: anchor chains or not

And I'm usually in water no deeper than 20'. I wonder why I continue to lug all of that weight around. I should consider shortening it by approx 100'. I wonder how much weight that would be???

Standard proof 5/16" chain is right around 1 lb/ft according to my friend google. Found some interesting sites about chains while looking for this.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: anchor chains or not

thanks for all the replies guys, now what size do I need to get?

Best source I've found for 5/16' anchor chain: Lowe's

 

[tocostew]

Re: anchor chains or not

great look like I am going to Lowe's for about 6' of 5/16 chain. Ill let you know how it works.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: anchor chains or not

Also depends on your anchor, mines a chene anchor and they specify NO CHAINS! The design of the retrieval system precludes a chain. That said, the lake bottoms around here (sand/bedrock) dont like the chene design so I'm going to try something else. But yes, MOST anchors need at least 5-8 feet of chain!

 

[marcoalza]

Re: anchor chains or not

great look like I am going to Lowe's for about 6' of 5/16 chain. Ill let you know how it works.

Get 9ft my friend. You wont regret it.

 

[sasto]

Re: anchor chains or not

And I'm usually in water no deeper than 20'. I wonder why I continue to lug all of that weight around. I should consider shortening it by approx 100'. I wonder how much weight that would be???

Well let's see......Removing 150' of chain.....sell it for $2 a foot.....that's $300.....that weight you just removed and the money you recieved....I see a locker full of Absolutely anything you want!

 

[emoney]

Re: anchor chains or not

I've got a few anchors laying around, all except one have 5/16th chain. The one that has 3/8" chain on it, I must say, holds the best and it's really not a lot more to retrieve/store/etc. Just a thought in the event there's not a lot of price diff. Course, I'm holding down a 6k-lb sailboat, too.