Anchor

[peeterb]

Okay who can tell me the size or weight of a anchor i would need for my boat.It is a 16 foot fiberglass with a 1986 110 hp evinrude outboard.Weighs about 1400 pounds.<br />Thanks for any help

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anchor

I use a 4 pound Aluminum Fortress for my 21 foot 2800 lb runabout. It has 4 foot of 1/4 inch chain on it and 250 feet of line. <br />My old anchor, now backup anchore is a 8 lb danfort also with 4 feet of chain.<br /><br />Both anchor worked fine, the 4lb fortress diggs in a little quicker on hard bottoms. Main reason switched to the Aluminum Fortress was wife had trouble lifting the old anchore 8 pound anchore and she did not want to drive the boat. The 4 Lb feels like the line broke when you get it off the bottom.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: Anchor

Hi glassc. Click on marine mega mall at the top of this page.Then click on anchors and you,ll see lots of different types to pick from.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchor

Hey glasic,make sure you attatch about 4 feet of chain to the anchor .<br /><br /> Jim

 

[peeterb]

Re: Anchor

Thanks for the info people.<br />Can I ask why you need to atach a four foot chunk of chain on the anchor.<br />Thanks

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchor

Hey glassc, you need the chain to make the anchor lie flat on the bottom when you first put it in. This helps the flukes to dig into the bottom when your anchor rope tightens up.Its not the weight of the anchor that holds the boat,its the flukes digging into bottom.There are different types anchors for different tyoes of bottoms.Thats why an 8lb anchor will hold a 4500lb boat.a 4lb anchor with chain ( I think they call it rode)of the proper type for the bottom you'll be anchoring in in should be good.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Anchor

glassc, You can skip the chain. A 16 foot boat simply does not require chain. It will only rust and ding up the boat.<br /><br />Every boat reference will tell you to use a length of chain, but I have never had my anchor slip. Get the anchor appropriate for your boat, likely a 5 pound "fluke" style!

 

[myalibi]

Re: Anchor

I good length of chain is the only way to go if you are anchoring in any kind of current. Get at least the minimum required, if not more.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Anchor

Glassc<br />The chain just holds the shank of the anchor down on the bottom instead of pointing at the boat. This allows the flutes to dig in faster and with less line out. In a storm or strong currents it will make a big difference. The chain also prevents rocks or anything sharp on the bottom from cutting your line since the nylon line is not rubbing on the bottom. Chain holds down the shank of the anchore so it digs in faster. This means less likely to slide along the bottom when you first put it in. If it slides less then it is less likely to slide under a tree branch or rock pile on the bottom and less likely to snag up on something that makes it hard to retrieve.<br /><br />You can get buy with no chain most of the time. Actually my chain only 3 feet long. Very important to get plenty of anchor line. Nylon works best, it has lots of streach and does not rot when stored wet.<br /><br />You need a scope of at least 3 to 1 and in a storm or bad condition you need a scope of 7 to 1. So if you anchor in water 28 feet deep and point you tie your anchore line to the boat is 2 feet above the water then you need at least 3 times 30 or 90 of line. This is for good for daytime stay in calm water with light wind and current. If conditions get bad strong winds, current, waves, and your staying the night then you need 7 times scope or 210 feet of anchore line. In a 16 foot boat you likely never stay in the bad conditions but sometimes if it comes up quick you can get caught.<br /><br />Fishing I see more boat break their anchor loose when fishing deep just because they do not have enough line. They will float by then pull the anchore and move back to where they anchored and anchor again. A few minutes later they drift by again. This is due to no chain and too short a anchor line. As the current or wind picks up with a short line it will pull the anchore shank up to point at the bow of the boat. This will rise the anchor flutes so it can not dig in and the boat just drags the anchor. Point is if you are going to fish in water 48 feet deep then you need at least 150 feet of line to stay hooked up on a good day with no wind load, no current load, no boat waves, no wind waves. Any of these pick up you need more line up to 350 feet. Here is another place chain will help hold the anchore shank down and keep you hooked up.<br /><br />As far as chain goes you can get Galvanized chain or vinal coated chain or Stainless steel chain to prevent rust.<br /><br />Fortress very expensive but my favorite anchor.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?prod_id=4943&current_category=anchor&cart_id=768333104

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Anchor

Here are facts from Down Under. Guess they would be similar every where.<br />Boat under 5m = 18m minimum cable (chain or rope)<br />Boat 5-8m = 27m minimum cable (min 2m chain)<br />Boat over 8m 2x= 37m mimimum cable (min 2m chain)<br />(That is 2 anchors with own cable/chain.)<br /><br />Notes: should be good length chain between anchor and line. An 8m boat is best with 8m chain on ratio of 3 to 1. eg if you are in 5m water, let out 15m of cable (being chain and rope). In extreme conditions increase ratio to 5 to 1.<br /><br />We are in the sea and need by regulation all sorts of things like EPIRB, 2 types flares, V Sheets, PFD1 so may be different application to yours.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Anchor

You can buy 6 ft lenghts of rubber coated anchor chain. I wouldn't be "caught" without it....

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchor

Hey Kiwi Phil,remember when dealing with our U.S. freinds, they don't use metric. 1 meter= 3 feet. I'm sure most of us know this, just in case.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[sloopy]

Re: Anchor

I thought it was one yard equals 3 feet and one meter equals 3.28 feet?

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchor

Sorry sloopy, one meter is slightly more than 3 feet and 3 feet equals 1 yard.I rounded off to keep the math simple. <br /><br /> Jim

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Anchor

1 Metre (meter is an electrical measuring device ) equals 3'3& 3 eighths" (39.37")<br /><br />cigar for sloopy - almost. <br /><br />Aldo

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchor

Once again I stand corrected, If my math & spelling where any good I would'nt have to work for a living........ <br /><br /> Jim

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Anchor

Lots of spelling differences between the U.S. & Australia. I hope you realise The 'meter' thing was tongue in cheek. <br /><br />Aldo

 

[cuzner]

Re: Anchor

Hey aldo,yea I know it was tongue and cheek.... we spell color,colour in Canada to <br /><br /> Jim

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Anchor

What about the Anchor <br />I think Boastist cover this point: I was told it is important to have as much chain as is possible, as it lays flat, and when the rope moves under stress, chain effectively takes/absorbs up the tension/movement. <br />Cuzner: I understand most of the ex-colony's of the BE have the same spelling of words. Darn difficult to learn as a kid too.<br />We started the change to metric in the late 60's. Best thing that ever happened. Just simplifies things so much.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[jmeydenbauer]

Re: Anchor

1 Metre (meter is an electrical measuring device ) equals 3'3& 3 eighths" (39.37")<br /><br />cigar for sloopy - almost. <br />

That's what he wrote! 39.37/12 = 3.28