Anchor type ???

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SkippersMinnow

Seaman
Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
52
Hello everyone, hope your Hoildays are going well. I am a new boat owner that has the boat in the garage, but I still need some accessories...<br /><br />1. I will be using the 18' searay in small inland lakes only. What type of anchor do you recommend??<br /><br />2. What type of fenders should I get. I really want to avoid the bumps and dings if at all possible while at the launch every week end.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.<br /><br />SkippersMinnow
 
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Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: Anchor type ???

Yoooo, Skippersminnow,<br />When it gets to **** cold to sit in the garage and look at your boat, go in the house, where it's nice and warm and open up Chapman's "Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling". It's a treasure trove of information and easy reading. Probably pick it up at a used book store or maybe ebay. By this spring when you put to "sea", you'll be as salty as the rest. Also great reference book. Mine's a '66-67 edition and I still use it.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />hooty
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Anchor type ???

Hooty's right-great info.<br /><br />Generally, in soft bottom lakes, nothing beats a Danforth type. Just as important as the anchor is the amount of chain you put down after it. <br /><br />Bumpers-kind of depends on the shape of your gunnels and where you might use them-type of dock, etc. Look in this website (iboats mega store)to see the different types. You'll be able to figure out what will work best on your hull.
 
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SkippersMinnow

Seaman
Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
52
Re: Anchor type ???

Okay Djohns19, Help this newbie out... do you have to use chain?? Won't I scratch my nice new boat?? As for the book, I'll see if I can scare up a copy...<br /><br />Hooty's right, I do step out to my garage on occasion to take a look at the boat. I guess I can't wait to put it in, but since its 10 tonight here in Wisconsin, I 'll have to wait.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Anchor type ???

For the anchor to be effective up to it's holding potential-yes you need the chain. You can buy chains made specifically for anchoring that are plastic coated. Or you can do it yourself with several products available from West Marine. www.westmarine.com. Still, you just have to take some precautions when pulling the anchor. Don't let anyone use the gunnels as a guide.<br /><br />You're supposed to go out in the garage and stare at it-it's a guy thing. Just don't let the significant other catch you making motor noises.<br /><br /><br />Mary Ann!!!
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: Anchor type ???

SkippersMinow,<br /><br />Don't want to scare you but let me share a story with you.<br /><br />I was at a cabin on a Northern Minesota lake in late August one year when disaster struck.<br /><br />It was one of those hot August days that smelled like trouble-high humidity, no wind.<br />Within a couple of minutes-all hell broke loose.<br /><br />The storm came across a mile of open lake and hit the resort we were at. The weather reports later said the winds hit 85 mph.<br /><br />My boat was anchored offshore with a Danforth and chain. It was the only one that survived unscathed. The others didn't fare so well. The boats tied to the dock flipped over with the dock. The boats anchored offshore with mushroom type anchors blew into shore and were very beaten up on the rocks. One totally destroyed. Two pontoon boats flipped. The only reason mine survived was that the anchor held and the boat was allowed to swing with the wind and ride over the waves. I had plenty of line out.<br /><br />The resort lost 43 trees and one of them trapped my family and myself in our cabin.<br />After we were freed I helped the others with their boats. It was not pretty. Myself and a couple other guys jumped in my boat after we heard cries of help from out in the lake. Two fishermen were caught in the storm and their 14' boat flipped and sunk. Thank God they were wearing their PFD's. <br /><br />The moral of the story is: read all you can about seamanship and anchoring. It may save yourself and your family one day. Hopefully you'll never have to put that knowledge into practice.<br /><br />Get that book and sit next to the fire and enjoy.
 
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Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Anchor type ???

Skippersminnow. Here's 2 things you can do. Both will make you a better boater:1. Go to a USCGA school, it's about 2 hours,1 night a week, for 10 weeks.Pass the test, get a certificate, and get a discount for you'r boat insurance.2. Buy a copy of "Chapman's Boating" it's the best book available, and you will always use it as a reference.
 
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SkippersMinnow

Seaman
Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
52
Re: Anchor type ???

Thanks for all the input. I will visit west marine and see what the danforth anchor looks like, and i'm going to Amazon.com to check for the book.<br /><br />I was at a resort also when a tornado hit the area. The funnel cloud was spotted on the east end of the lake, and luckily no one was hurt.
 
12Footer

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Anchor type ???

Skipper'sminnow.. I like the handle,little<br /> buddy!Mary Anne over Ginger any day :) <br /><br />
2a.gif
 
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suzukidave

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2000
Messages
387
Re: Anchor type ???

Get a Danforth (or a copy), preferably with a chain the same length as your boat before you go to line (I would get a Danforth one size larger than recommended, but I'm paranoid). This is your overnight anchor or for when you are going to be out of site of you boat for more than an hour. Then buy whatever you like (mushroom or folding or smaller danforth) as a temporary / spare anchor with line only or 4' of chain (the chain sit on the bottom so it keeps the angle of the anchor low so it doesn't drag). Finally get 100-200' of light line for running a shoreline. Run a shoreline whenever you can. <br /><br />Speaking as someone who operates a boat in tidal waters with currents and weather from all directions, there is no such thing as too much anchor... :cool:
 
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rbarnesjr

Cadet
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Messages
12
Re: Anchor type ???

FYI for those interested, Chapman's "Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling" is selling on eBay for $3-$15 depending upon the year. I happened to have picked up a 1971 copy recently for $2 + shipping. :)
 
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Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Anchor type ???

Westmarine sells Chap's 63rd ED. for $16.50. The book will also give you an idea on what type anchor to use. Danforth,may not be the one you need, IT depends on the predominate bottom structure.
 
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SkippersMinnow

Seaman
Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
52
Re: Anchor type ???

Hi again....I picked up a copy of Chapmans boating off ebay for $14.00. It should be here in a couple of days. I also checked out the "Danforth" type anchor. I wonder if it will fit in the compartment on my boat, a Searay 180 BR?? I will only be going on inland lakes, but as I said earlier, we go every year to a cabin on a lake and there was a huge storm two years ago that swamped all the 14' fishing boats.. That same night, with the rain pouring and the wind howling, we sat in our cabin and watched a 21' boat FLOAT RIGHT BY our cabin!!! I am sure the owner had no idea this thing was floating away. So, to say the least, I don't want mine floating aimlessly to the end of the lake, or into someones dock, or who knows.<br /><br />Are the newer mushroom anchors they have with the little protrusions any better than the regular mushroom anchors?? That may fit better in my storage area??<br /><br />Thanks
 
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suzukidave

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2000
Messages
387
Re: Anchor type ???

SkippersMinnow don't let storage space control your anchor selection. It's a safety issue. I don't have much room either and I also don't want it breaking loose in the locker under the covered bow when I'm underway in rough weather so I stand mine on the deck in the little gap between the passenger sleeper seats and the gunnel and strap it and wrap a lifejacket around it to wedge it in place. The line and chain goes in the storage area under the sleeper seat. So far this works perfectly in all kinds of weather and I can get at it in a hurry if I need it. <br /><br />A little tip -- you can store the chain in a plastic planter pot to save space and avoid rust stains (the water will drain out the holes in the bottom)<br /><br />IMHO a mushroom anchor with or withour dimples will not hold your boat in a sustained storm where there is any kind of fetch for the waves to build up. Wave action will at some point lift it off the bottom and you will drag and then you are sunk (metaphorically speaking).
 
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Pursuit2150

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2001
Messages
553
Re: Anchor type ???

I there is a storm coming and you only have 1 anchor trying to hold, IT WILL NOT WORK. you need to lash down. We have a RULE in my marina. "Minium securing is 6 lines 2@ bow, 2@stern,+2Spring lines" .
 
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jofr

Cadet
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Messages
7
Re: Anchor type ???

Hi out there,<br /><br />i can recommend a Bruce anchor (or copy) with a chain attached. It works very well on all types.<br /><br />i have a Danforth as well but think the Bruce is better, do not need as big -> easier to handle on your new boat.<br /><br />Best Regards<br /><br />Johan :)
 
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jofr

Cadet
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Messages
7
Re: Anchor type ???

Hi SkippersMinnow, <br /><br />Please find picture and info at this link (West Marine).<br /><br />web page<br /><br />Bruce is the original for this type, but there is copies, e.g. Simpson Lawrence Claw Anchors, for just a fraction of the price. I have a copy and it works well.<br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />Johan :)
 
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SkippersMinnow

Seaman
Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
52
Re: Anchor type ???

Hi Johan, I went to the site and see what it looks like. Does it matter if you use a copy?? They seem much cheaper. Also, is there any problem in weed beds?? Can this or any other anchor get stuck and if so how does one get it loose.<br /><br />Thanks
 
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