Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob. :(

[Subliminal]

Hey guys,

So, I'm out on the river this weekend and I throw the anchor out. It was a little slip ring dealy that came with the boat...definitely undersized for a tidal river and my 18 ft boat.

Anyway, we're swimming and having a great time and I look at the tress on the shore and we're definitely drifting.

I get back in the boat, and the anchor is gone. Guess I didn't tie the knot as well as I'd thought.

So, I need to get a new anchor setup...I needed to get one anyway, as mine was pretty pathetic to begin with, but now I NEED to get one.

So, I know I want a fluke style, but not sure on the size. The current in the river can be really impressive sometimes, so I don't want to go undersized, but I also don't want something so big I can't store it under a bow cushion.

I'm thinking a 10lb would be good...but figured I'd ask first.

Thanks!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Bigger is better. Look at the 14#.

Especially in tidal/wind conditions, if you NEED that anchor to hold...

 

[mnewb1]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

don't worry, there are many newbs watching this forum who appreciate questions like this...I'm learning new stuff everyday.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

I'm one of said noobs. Never would have asked it, but now I know for the future. 14lb anchor is good for most situations.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Before you toss the new anchor in take a look at this site, helpful and you will memorize the knots with regular use.

Don't worry...all of us have lost anchors before

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Thanks for that.

I actually lost the rope/chain/anchor where I tied it to the bow. DOH! Way more of an expensive mistake.

 

[QC]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Plus it would've made a good spare/stern anchor which you really need, so . . . uh . . . now you need two

Remember, and especially in current, that an anchor is your last line of defense if you lose power. Especially important in current, but wind of course causes drift, so if you're being blown into something bad, and you have lost power, the anchor(s) MUST hold.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

A good anchor is not only important for keeping your boat from drifting while at play but it is also a safety device in the event you are stranded somewhere and don't want to drift out to sea or into traffic lanes especially where there are large cargo ships and the like. Do it right and get a real anchor line with a steel reinforced eye and secure the anchor with c-clamps with screw thingies. You need a chain anyway.

 

[iBrent]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Do it right and get a real anchor line with a steel reinforced eye and secure the anchor with c-clamps with screw thingies. You need a chain anyway.

"C-Clamp with screw thingies" is a shackle. Definitely recommended.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Remember, and especially in current, that an anchor is your last line of defense if you lose power.

I have always been taught that in the even of a loss of power, the anchor is the FIRST line of defense. Deploy the anchor at the first safe opportunity so you don't drift into obstacles or traffic lanes. This will afford you the opportunity to try to rectify any mechanical issues without worry of increasing your situation to something you can't handle.

If I'm incorrect in this, please someone correct me...nicely

 

[QC]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

You are right!!!! ^^^^^ Poor choice of words on my part. Maybe even better words are ONLY line of defense.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

anchor is #1 piece of safety equipment for small boats, IMO.

Talk to locals about how best to rig it for your bottom and depth.

I often tie mine to the boat in two places for a back-up. I did once have a line come off a cleat, never figured out how, and I've been cleating for longer than I've been tying my shoes.

Some people put a float on the end of the line (called the bitter) in case the whole rig gets tossed out, or when fishing, if you want to untie quickly and then come back and retrieve.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Ok I had problems anchoring my Danforth Anchor this weekend also. It was just dredging the bottom with 7 times the length of the depth of the water of line out.

 

[rbh]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Our danforth works good in a mud/clay/ rocky bottom.
but it has issues in silty / sand conditions.
I think a fortress style would have better holding characteristics due to it's shovel style.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

anchor is #1 piece of safety equipment for small boats, IMO.

Talk to locals about how best to rig it for your bottom and depth.

I often tie mine to the boat in two places for a back-up. I did once have a line come off a cleat, never figured out how, and I've been cleating for longer than I've been tying my shoes.

Some people put a float on the end of the line (called the bitter) in case the whole rig gets tossed out, or when fishing, if you want to untie quickly and then come back and retrieve.

I second the float on the end of the line comment. Mine has one after watching a few folks have there line come off or the tossed the anchor in and let go of the line. Pretty easy to motor over and grab the float. Mine has a float about 4 inches in diameter and 6 inches long.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Our danforth works good in a mud/clay/ rocky bottom.
but it has issues in silty / sand conditions.
I think a fortress style would have better holding characteristics due to it's shovel style.

Interesting, this is what the Marina that we bought the boat from gave us as we are slipped in their Marina. I would think (probaly my dumb mistake) that they would give me something me something that works in the lake as that is were their marina is on.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Sooo...does everyone echo that 14 lb anchor as a good size for my usage? I'm hoping that isn't too big for my stowage area.

 

[rbh]

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

Sooo...does everyone echo that 14 lb anchor as a good size for my usage? I'm hoping that isn't too big for my stowage area.

Could you install an anchor davit???
But were you kept the rode is another question????

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Anchor Question...lol...I'm such a noob.

I've had danforths slide on sand bottoms but I still like them. Add chain.