Anchoring Overnight

[jerms234]

Hi all,

I'd like to tap in to the vast knowledge that you all contain for some advise.

Our family has owned a boat since my birth and we've recently acquired a new (to us) boat. Our family has an annual gathering at our cabin near the lake and we usually leave the boat in the water for the whole week and anchor it overnight un-attended. Our cabin is with-in sight of the beach and we can always see the boat at anchor but its a 1/3 to 1/2 mile away. We keep binoculars handy to keep an eye on it. The beach is very uniform and gentle sloping, say 100' of water out from the shore line is about 4-5' water depth. There is no real surprises in the water either, the bottom is sand with patches of clay.

So here's the dilemma I'm going over in my head. The old boat was a 91' Celebrity 180 CX the new boat is a 98' Sea Ray 210 Bowrider. From my reading the new boat is probably 1000lbs heavier than the old boat. We've recently used an Anchor Buddy and a 20lb anchor similar to the one linked the anchor buddy is attached to a 6' section of 3/8" chain which is connected to the anchor.

I usually anchor in 4' of water and ensure that the shallowest point the boat can come in is no less than 3'. At its worst the lake is capable of producing 6-7' waves but it takes a very strong sustained wind for that to happen (Bear Lake ID) and its pretty rare.

So my question to you all is this, is a 20lb anchor still sufficient to hold this large of a boat through 2-3' swells. If the weather gets, bad, and we're very good and keeping a close eye on it, we'll always get someone on the boat and get it under power and in deeper water and usually get it out of the water.

What do you all think, is a larger anchor and or different setup in order? Should I change the anchoring practice I've been following?

Jeremy,

 

[jerms234]

Anchor Link

 

[JoshOnt]

I would say you should be fine but if you could find something under the water to try and hook it on then that will give a bit of extra hold to it. You don't say the actual weight of the boat so I can't say for sure if it would be enough.

 

[jerms234]

I would say you should be fine but if you could find something under the water to try and hook it on then that will give a bit of extra hold to it. You don't say the actual weight of the boat so I can't say for sure if it would be enough.

I think the boat is about 3200 to 3500lbs depending on fuel and stuff in the boat at the time. Sorry for not including that earlier.

 

[Chris1956]

For a sand bottom, you will want a fluke-type anchor, as they hold the best. The manufacturers suggest sizes for different sized boats. I would choose one a size bigger than recommended for your application.

You can also use two anchors, on a Y-shaped anchor line, from the bow, for greater holding power. The Y-shaped configuration is superior, if the wind changes direction.

 

[tpenfield]

I vote yes, 20-22 lb anchor should be sufficient. If you are worried, add more chain and use more scope on the rode . . . Maybe 6 or 7 to 1 scope.

Another thing to consider is swing , you could use 2 anchors to reduce swing and also provide additional safety factor, but the exact configuration will depend on location, wind, etc

 

[gm280]

Could always pound some type rod into the water bottom and wrap the anchor line around that as well... Wouldn't take a very long rod to work. JMHO!

 

[redneck joe]

fluke anchor, plenty of chain rode, lots of rope. pretty easy.

 

[Grandad]

Regardless of anchor weight or type, I recommend that whenever leaving the boat anchored and untended, you should first "set" your anchor by reversing the engine in the likeliest downwind direction just to gauge how good the hold really is. Each time you anchor could be a new issue even with a uniform bottom. - Grandad