Anchor Suggestion

[jfreeman0674]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a new anchor? I had a 30lb river anchor from Bass Pro attached to 5/8" line but it broke today when I was trying to raise it. It was stuck on the bottom on would not come free.

 

[Dragboatdad]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I use a Fortress danforth style anchor. The key to this type of anchor is chain. I use about 10' of 5/8" chain and it never fails me.

 

[ROBBSRACING]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I use a Fortress danforth style anchor. The key to this type of anchor is chain. I use about 10' of 5/8" chain and it never fails me.

WOW. 5/8 chain? That must be a PITA to pull in. Thats some HEAVY DUTY chain.

I also use a Danforth style anchor off each end of my toon. Like DBD said. Having the chain hooked to it is the key. I have 8' of 3/8 lead anchor chain connected to both of mine. They work real well that way.

 

[jfreeman0674]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

8' and 10' doesn't seem like much. I usually anchor in much deeper water. Using a chain hooked would be a pain in the butt if I have 20-30' of chain.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

How deep of water are you anchoring in? 10' of chain would be plenty for up to 50 feet of water. plus 150' of anchor line. BTW - how did you manage to break 5/8 line? That is some heavy rope. 3/8 is the rope I use with 5/16 chain.

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I have a pair of Danforth anchors (cannibalized from a couple of old Seadoos) Ditto the 10 feet of chain and 3/8's rope. Usually anchored in the river with about 5 to 7 mph current. 1 will hold, just drop the second ..... well because I have it.

 

[Dragboatdad]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

WOW. 5/8 chain? That must be a PITA to pull in. Thats some HEAVY DUTY chain.

I also use a Danforth style anchor off each end of my toon. Like DBD said. Having the chain hooked to it is the key. I have 8' of 3/8 lead anchor chain connected to both of mine. They work real well that way.

Your right, it probably is 3/8" chain. I don't get the box anchor, I had one and gave it away. My anchor knowledge came from my dad and anchoring at the Channel Islands in sailboats. Sometimes we would have a huge ground swell and wind, and a danforth with plenty of chain and scope(length of rope) never failed. I like the idea of using 2 anchors. I'm in the same current as O S and good anchoring technique is important. BTW Steve, were you on the river when that wind/dust storm came through last Thursday. I was glad I wasn't, that was a nasty storm.

 

[Todd4]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

8' and 10' doesn't seem like much. I usually anchor in much deeper water. Using a chain hooked would be a pain in the butt if I have 20-30' of chain.

The 5 to 10 feet of chain is only used as a WEIGHT (the rest of the line is rope). The chain holds the anchor positioned correctly on the bottom to get a better bite. Now before everyone corrects me, I'll add that I use chain to prevent the rope from being worn away on a rocky bottom.

Todd

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I would agree with adding a small length of chain to your rope. I only have approximately 2-3 feet of chain. I do not believe this is what caused your rope to break but it is an important addition. I would suggest using this technique when anchoring. Face the wind, drop your anchor and back up the boat slowly. You should let out a minimum of three times the amount of rope as the depth of water you are sitting in. Place the boat in neutral and wait for the anchor to set into the bottom and tie off. The trick to pull the anchor up is to drive your boat forward, gathering the anchor line as you slowly move forward. The boat will do the work and pop the anchor loose with little effort. Many people break the line by pulling the same direction that was meant to seat the anchor. Good luck and I hop this helps.
I have never had to throw a second anchor or readjust the anchor by using this technique. If you are in a very strong wind or current or ocean waters etc you will have to change your ratio of depth to length to let out. Many people will use 7 times the depth in ocean water etc. My three times was for a lake situation.

 

[Dragboatdad]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I would agree with adding a small length of chain to your rope. I only have approximately 2-3 feet of chain. I do not believe this is what caused your rope to break but it is an important addition. I would suggest using this technique when anchoring. Face the wind, drop your anchor and back up the boat slowly. You should let out a minimum of three times the amount of rope as the depth of water you are sitting in. Place the boat in neutral and wait for the anchor to set into the bottom and tie off. The trick to pull the anchor up is to drive your boat forward, gathering the anchor line as you slowly move forward. The boat will do the work and pop the anchor loose with little effort. Many people break the line by pulling the same direction that was meant to seat the anchor. Good luck and I hop this helps.
I have never had to throw a second anchor or readjust the anchor by using this technique. If you are in a very strong wind or current or ocean waters etc you will have to change your ratio of depth to length to let out. Many people will use 7 times the depth in ocean water etc. My three times was for a lake situation.

X2

Well put M R Sounds like you have some blue water experience.

 

[jfreeman0674]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

The only thing that I can think that broke the line was that the anchor or rope got hung up on a tree or rock at the bottom of the lake.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I have a digger anchor. They say that no chain is required, and so far, I have to admit that it works great without the chain. The thing about it is, when you get directly over it, and pull up, it just releases the flukes, so getting caught on the bottom becomes far less likely.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

5/8" nylon anchor rope has a tensile strength over 8000#. if the rope broke, it was either degraded, chaffed, or came untied. you should be able to either pull up what the anchor was hooked on.

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

X2

Well put M R Sounds like you have some blue water experience.

Thank you Dragboatdad! I have not been the captain on blue water but I played admiral quite a bit. I am captain of a pontoon on a lake in Southern Illinois. I live, breath and sleep boating.

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

BTW Steve, were you on the river when that wind/dust storm came through last Thursday. I was glad I wasn't, that was a nasty storm.

No, we were supposed to go up there for about 10 days, then AT&T District 9 decided to pull a 2 day walk-out. Wife still works for them, Soooo all Management time off was nixed. I've got a truck full of 'goodies' for the barge, wanted to get the stuff hooked up and do a shake-down cruise to Topac.

 

[Dragboatdad]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

No, we were supposed to go up there for about 10 days, then AT&T District 9 decided to pull a 2 day walk-out. Wife still works for them, Soooo all Management time off was nixed. I've got a truck full of 'goodies' for the barge, wanted to get the stuff hooked up and do a shake-down cruise to Topac.

That's not good. Oh well it's been very hot but gonna start cooling down in a couple of days. By the time you get there hookin up the goodies will be easier. Not sure of our schedule, but maybe we'll see you on the water.

 

[tommytoon]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

I use a box anchor with about 5' of chain and 1 anchor holds my 22' crest toon solid, ive tried the others but didnt have the luck like with the box. good luck

 

[jfreeman0674]

Re: Anchor Suggestion

Went with 2 20lb mushrooms. One for the front and one for the back. Works good so far.