Anchor rode: Chain or line

[David Greer]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

Your anchor is your most essential safety device. When you have a problem, you need to stay put, bow to the wind. Obviously you can't carry rope for anchoring in the Atlantic but you need enough to hold you from going ashore. Sea anchors (drift socks) are for deep water emergency and are also essential if that is your venue. If you don't have one at least figure out how you'll use your bimini or whatever for one.

The 7:1 and heavy-duty criteria are for overnight and storm mooring, not messing around. As said above, there are lots of options for convenient light-weight rigs but they should be in addition to your real anchor.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

We use Sea anchors (drift socks) when fishing for walleyes in a river where the current is strong. They are used to slow the boat while drifting. I think they use them ocassionally in the Great lakes to when drifting for walleyes.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

I might get a bit of chain...I dunno. In the Grand River I don't think the deepest hole is more than 30 ft. The other small Northern Ontario lakes I boat on might be 60 ft tops. I have a danforth anchor (forget the weight) and 100 ft of 3/8 rope. I've never even come close to using it all.

I don't moor anywhere. I don't think I've been anchored any longer than 1 hour in a place, and that's just for fishing.

I think the chains and 7 to 1's and all that are great for bigger boats on bigger waters, but probably overkill for me.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

Get the chains, towards the heavy sided ones! Four ft for each anchor should do you fine. You won't be sorry.

 

[DaveHarlos]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

My 2cents

I have a 35# CQR (Danforth got bent) with 100ft of chain and 100ft of rode. This allows a scope 3to1 in tight spots and peace of mind overnight. I've never had the luxury or (thankfully) the necessity for 7to1. Also a smaller Danforth for the stern or spare. Depending on the area, I also bring a hose reel with 400ft of poly for stern tying. It floats so I don't worry about it getting in the props on the retrieve. It's practice and getting a comfort level. I have neither yet - but I'm getting there.

Cheers, Dave

 

[Sharkfighter]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

When I started boating offshore had a 19 ft bayliner. I bought a danforth style anchor rated for a 25 + ft boat with no chain and would wonder why i couldnt stay over structure with a scope of 3:1. The anchor with no chain always held me on the river in depths no more then about 30 ft. Offshore I was fishing 50 ft + depth.

Now I have a 25 ft boat and am more experienced and maybe wiser. I had a smaller anchor then I had for the 19 ft boat but lot of chain. About twelve Ft. I still do the 3:1 or 4:1 scope but have extra rode available (but not tied on usually) for emergency.

I recently had the anchor stuck and eventualy cut it and replaced with a heavier anchor and only 6ft of chain. I am concerned about the shorter chain but on other hand I think for my use 1ft chain for 1 ft boat length is excessive, although I heard that in many places as a guide also. So far it has been holding good for fishing which is 90% of the use. I wont be overnighting on the boat any time soon (unless wife kicks me out lol).

When saltwater bottom fishing getting over structure is EVERYTHING. If I had to let out 420 ft of rode to get over a small barge or pallet balls in 60 ft of water I would spend All day trying to get boat to drift back on rode and end up in right spot. better to get over reef determine drift direction then drive 100 ft or so past reef in opposite direction of drift and drop anchor flaot back and fill cooler.

Rob

 

[cbavier]

Re: Anchor rode: Chain or line

Rob

When saltwater bottom fishing getting over structure is EVERYTHING. If I had to let out 420 ft of rode to get over a small barge or pallet balls in 60 ft of water I would spend All day trying to get boat to drift back on rode and end up in right spot. better to get over reef determine drift direction then drive 100 ft or so past reef in opposite direction of drift and drop anchor flaot back and fill cooler.

That was my exact point about the 7.1 ratio above. It would be ok when your on the hook overnight but not good for fishing. I would think 6 ft of Heavy chain tied to your rode and anchor should be fine except for sleeping or overnighting.