First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

[copeman5011]

Just purchased my first boat it is a 16.5' Sea Nymph Fish n Ski. I am looking for an anchor and wanted some opinions. I will be taking it out on Lake Erie and the backwaters of Presque Isle in PA. I'd imagine a danforth anchor should be the best but how heavy of an anchor and how much chain will I need? I will be anchoring in all depths probably 5' to 60' but not exactly sure. #13 danforth with 8' chain and 200' rope sufficient? Thanks in advance.

 

[NYBo]

Re: First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

Welcome to iboats!

A 13# Danforth would actually be considered overkill for your size and weight boat.. You could get by with a 8-pounder, but I would go with at least 16' of chain to ensure a good bite. Two hundred feet of nylon line should be fine for the depths you're anticipating, although it will be too short for 60' in anything but fairly calm conditions. But I don't think you're going to want to anchor such a small boat in Lake Erie in heavy weather or seas. You are going to need to keep a sharp eye on conditions and a sharp ear on your weather radio regardless.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

Welcome to iboats!

A 13# Danforth would actually be considered overkill for your size and weight boat.. You could get by with a 8-pounder, but I would go with at least 16' of chain to ensure a good bite. Two hundred feet of nylon line should be fine for the depths you're anticipating, although it will be too short for 60' in anything but fairly calm conditions. But I don't think you're going to want to anchor such a small boat in Lake Erie in heavy weather or seas. You are going to need to keep a sharp eye on conditions and a sharp ear on your weather radio regardless.

Just stay close to shore. Conditions can change real quickly up there and 16 ft can get dangerous.

 

[copeman5011]

Re: First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

Thanks for your opinions. I've been boating the lake for years now just never owned my own boat. I understand how the boat will handle and the dangers that can be anticipated I just wanted some more opinions on the anchor rig. They only had #13 at ganders, I figured I could use less.

 

[Tig]

Re: First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

I like NYBo's anchor, chain and rode specs. I carry a similar set up for my Lake Ontario trips. I would also suggest a sea anchor or at least a large drift sock as contingecy for engine troubles and bad weather out on Lake Erie. In such a case you want the bow pointed into the wind but not tied to the bottom so you have a chance to ride out the waves.

 

[copeman5011]

Re: First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

Yeah I know the weather around here pretty well from boating for so many years with my old man and duck hunting. I won't be taking this little thing out far at all if there's any chance of it turning for the worst. I will although probably pick up a drift sock to keep on board. There are plenty of backwaters to hunt/fish in bad weather and there's always the shore or kayaks for waters the boat can't access. Doubt I'll be anchoring in too deep of water, any deep water days will be for trolling and only on nice days. My dad and friends have better boats for 3+ footers.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: First Time Poster...What anchor for Lake Erie?

If you are going to fish for perch out of Presque Isle, i cant imagine pulling anchor in 60 ft of water unless you have an electric windless, but i am going to presume you don't in a 16.5' boat. You would need alot of rod for 60' of water. More chain the better, it will help to keep your anchor lying flat on bottom.I used to fish for waleye out of North East and Walnut Creek. Presque Isle can get rough with all the boat traffic and when the weather picks up you know it gets even rougher.