Anchor Issue

[viper1216]

I have a question on my anchor. I used it a few weeks ago in my local bay,,,,and it didn't seem to be holding. It was a bit choppy and I was definitely moving. I went out and grabbed a Fluke style anchor. When I went to install, it does not fit in my existing spot designed for my anchor. (under the front seat of the bow). I went out yesterday again with my existing anchor and it seemed to hold when I put it out. I think I set it better this time, so it could very well have been user error the first time, When I looked at my existing a bit more, it seems like it is pretty much a fluke style. Just curious if this is basically the same type of anchor and I should just stick with it, or if I should try and figure out where to fit the fluke I bought if it will give me better bite.

 

[ondarvr]

Anchors vary a great deal in design, the style you use depends on the size of boat, type of bottom, depth, current speed, weather conditions, plus other things, none are perfect for every application or condition.

 

[JoLin]

What's the composition of the bottom? The anchor in your pic is a 'Navy' anchor, not a fluke. It works best in rocky bottoms. A 'fluke' (Danforth type) anchor is better in sand and mud.

How deep was the water, and how much anchor rode did you put out? Most people don't use enough scope.

My .02

 

[Teamster]

How much anchor line did you have out?

I try for 3 times the depth,.........

 

[viper1216]

After reading up a bit, I definitely did not have enough line out. Water depth was about 45' or so. I had dropped till I felt it hit bottom and then tied it off at that point. Terrain was probably sand and probably weeds. When I went out the other day, I had made sure to leave a lot more line out and then backed up the boat a bit to "set" it. Seemed to hold so I might hold off on the fluke for now and keep what I have and chalk up to user error.

 

[JoLin]

Good for you, for doing some research on the subject. That's pretty deep water. Don't be too surprised if the anchor you have doesn't cut it in a stiff wind, but try it before you invest in anything else. You can only carry so much line aboard and 150' will only give you 3x scope. That's minimal with a good anchor. Around here, where the wind regularly blows at 15-20 mph, I use a minimum of 5x scope with my Danforth.

My .02

 

[Fed]

Chain looks a little short, you'd want a minimum of 10' of heavy chain with the boat in your tagline.

 

[viper1216]

I will check the measurement of the chain next time I'm on it. In the pic the chain is actually still going down into the seat, so you can not see all of it.

 

[Fed]

HaHa, I thought it was tied off with some sort of crazy knot. Carry on.

 

[Ned L]

As mentioned above,.. the anchor in your picture is a "Navy anchor". In small sizes about the most they have going for them is that they are "cute". Navy anchors rely to a good bit on their weight or mass for effectiveness. That looks like about an 8 pound anchor (the weight is probably cast into one of the flukes), so it is about as effective as an 8 pound brick. (They are effective when they weigh 60,000 pounds, with 20,000 pounds of chain for every 90 feet)
As others said, I would recommend you get an anchor that is designed to hold using its shape more than its mass (I.e. Danforth), with some chain, .... and definately a reasonable amount of scope,.....45' of water, 150' of line, that's 3:1. Typical short term stay is 3:1,.. typical overnight is 7:1.

 

[H20Rat]

As mentioned above,.. the anchor in your picture is a "Navy anchor". In small sizes about the most they have going for them is that they are "cute". Navy anchors rely to a good bit on their weight or mass for effectiveness. That looks like about an 8 pound anchor.

I'm thinking that might actually be the 20#'er.. I actually have the same anchor on a couple different boats, and it works well for what it is. Easier to store than a danforth, and holds reasonably well. I wouldn't trust it for crucial anchoring, but for hopping off in a cove and floating around it works.

 

[Ned L]

I'm thinking that might actually be the 20#'er.. I actually have the same anchor on a couple different boats, and it works well for what it is. Easier to store than a danforth, and holds reasonably well. I wouldn't trust it for crucial anchoring, but for hopping off in a cove and floating around it works.

Ahhh,.... if 20# I would agree.

 

[viper1216]

I'll take a look at it next time I am there and see if I can get a weight on it. I only really use it to anchor while either fishing or just hanging out in one spot. Not overnight or anything like that.