Having trouble keeping boat anchored

[bako88fan]

Hi there. I'm new to boating and to.iboats. I've learned a lot already here so a big thanks to everyone who posts solutions to problems us newbies have.

We bought a 94 Sea Ray 220 Signature bowrider with a Mercruiser 5.7L I/O. It is a large and heavy boat. We boaprimarily in.a.shallow lake, which at its deepest is around 11 feet. I've tried to anchorthe boat near the shore as opposed to breaching it. Our problem is that we difficult time keeping the boat anchored to the bottom. The boat will often drift and we've come close to running aground a few times. This lake has a sandy clay bottom. There are very few rock and.no vegetation at the bottom to hang on. I see people with lines on their bow hooks with floaters attached and their boats neither drift off nor do they spin from wakes or wind. I'm using a y shaped galvanized anchor with about 5 feet of chain. Should I be using something else? Two anchors? Solving this problem would surely help us enjoy the water more.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Trooper583]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

A technique I use on our bow rider sometimes involves throwing the anchor out as far as I can and then manually dragging it back toward me. This can help to "set the anchor. Once your feel a fair bit of resistance, go ahead and tie off to your bow cleat. On our Aft Cabin Cruiser (much larger anchor) I will drop anchor, insure I have plent of chain/rope out, tie off to the cleat and then put the engines in reverse for just a moment to set it. These techniques work well but in doing this your run the risk of snagging an underwater obstruction (tree stump, tree top, log, etc). However, I suspect that we are always running the risk of doing this. In regard to the other boaters that you are seeing that seem to be impervious to wakes and wind, they are probably using a stern anchor as well as a conventional bow anchor. This is ok but there are some things to watch out for with this. If you choose to use a stern anchor, make sure that your bow is pointed in the direction that most of your wakes are coming from. If for instance you face your stern to the main channel or navigation route, your stern anchor could cause your boat to be swamped from a large wake. I'm no expert but I hope this helps.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

Y shape?
This will help with the type.
http://www.twinsrecreation.com/Boat-Anchors_c_28658.html

This on the size of anchor, chain, and rode.
http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/technical/anchorguide.htm

5 foot of chain is not much. More or bigger chain should help, but there are people here that use your lake, so more info would be nice. (hint)

 

[glastron_scott]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

so your about to hear all about needing more chain, bigger chain, more rope, less rope, how to properly set the anchor when in the water, proper anchors for sandy, muddy, rocky........take my advice and go buy a "box anchor". i had the same problem as you when i first started boating. i did some research and found that the box anchor had some great reviews. i have used it for 6 years now and it has NEVER come loose. you litteraly just hook it up to a rope(NO CHAIN NEEDED) and throw it in the water. often times people will hook up to me after they cant get there anchors to hold. ive had 4 other boats tied up to me at times and it still didnt budge. another product i would recomend is the shore spike. i will use this when i anchor near a beach, the box anchor off the bow of the boat and the shore spike on the beach tied to the back of the boat. that way the boat stays exactly where i put it when playing with the family on the beach/park.

good luck and happy boating!!!!

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I concur with scott. When I was spending alot of time on a shallow lake with a muddy bottom I would just fill a few 5 gal pails with concrete and rocks, a loop for the rope, and put aput out an anchor bouy. It was really just to keep the boat from drifting away, and not really an anchorage.

An anchor by itself will let the boat wander pretty far if the wind changes.

 

[Downforce6]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

Well i'm a novice too, so take my stuff with a grain of salt but.

Are you sure your Anchor is dragging? Or is the stern swinging in the wind?

The fluke, Danforth style anchor, with the right amount of chain, rope, I would think should hold you, in 11 feet of water you should'nt need much (70' should be holding you), if your lake bottom is sandy, clay and letting the anchor drag, maybe try a river style anchor.

But I cant help but to wonder if your anchor is dragging, or the stern is simply swinging in the wind/current. If you've got the proper amount of rode out, this is going to allow a fairly large swing radius. One trick i've heard, but havent tried, (I am next outing tho). Is to throw a mushroom anchor off the stern, and this is suppose to at least limit the amount of swing in the stern. We will see I guess.

 

[Downforce6]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

"This is ok but there are some things to watch out for with this. If you choose to use a stern anchor, make sure that your bow is pointed in the direction that most of your wakes are coming from. If for instance you face your stern to the main channel or navigation route, your stern anchor could cause your boat to be swamped from a large wake."

That sounds like sound advice, if you consider an additional stern anchor as well.

 

[markheck1]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I use an Anchor Buddy, which is an elastic rope on the bow, and a shore spike with a dock line on the stern. added benefit is that it points the bow into the wakes.

 

[bobdec]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I do inland lake boating and sand/clay is tough to get a good hold especially on a single anchor swinging in the wind. For my 20 footer I carry a 8lb hooker (lunch hook) , 13lb hooker and a 15lb Navy depending on bottom and wind conditions. All use a 6 foot 1/4 inch chain to help grab and absorb bounce of the boat. Some hard clay or shale stone areas are impossible to ever get a grab on. Your beach may be mud/sand, but have stone or hard clay 2-3 inches down. Key is you will learn with experience after a few times out. Until you get to know the bottom conditions and the depth of different anchorages it can be frustrating. I have noticed boaters love to share success stories, don't be shy to go over and kick up an anchoring discussion and see what others are using at specific spots. Let us know the type and size of what anchor you are using.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I suspect that you are not putting out enough line.

 

[bgc]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

4-6 foot of chain, proportional to the rode, and 7x the depth is the amount of rode that needs to be let out.

 

[bako88fan]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

Thanks everyone for the advice. I was asked about the anchor and chain. I have a Danforth anchor, 9lb connected to 3/8" chain which is 5' long. I have about 30' of rope connected to the chain and then to the boat. I was also asked about the stern swinging with the wake or wind. While there is some swing, we have seen the boat drift toward shore more than swinging. Finally, about where we boat, our local lake is Buena Vista Lake, about 30 miles southwest of Bakersfield, CA. We are planning a trip next week to the Colorado River and Lake Mohave. I'm concerned about anchoring in the current in a stronger river like that.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

ok bako you have a decent system with one fatal flaw and that would be the amount of rode you have, if your in 20 feet of water and want a solid anchor you need a minimum of 80' of rode, and I would say a max of 140', if you add more chain you can use less rode but why? add more rode and I bet your Danforth will do you well, also setting a Danforth in your conditions(as stated) is a little touchy, When I am in similar conditions I set by giving a medium tug and leave it alone too much pull will pull it out of what it can grab, as time passes the Danforth will work its way into setting itself fully then all you have to worry about is getting it out which can be fun but I have yet to lose a Danforth.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I had the same problem and I've been to BV. A Danforth anchor is the right kind of anchor for the job. Here's where you're going wrong. A little longer and heavier chain would be nice, but it isn't really necessary. What you're likely doing is dropping the anchor and holding the rode with your hands. When it hits the bottom, you continue to hold it or tie it off.

You need to let out enough line that the anchor lies flat on the lake bottom and the Danforth lies down. After it has done this it'll dig in when you move or pull away from it. I usually lower the anchor and when it hits the bottom just a grab a loop of about 15 - 20 ft of rope and throw it overboard all at once. That anchor chain needs to then be pulled somewhat horizontally to drag the anchor along the bottom. Don't pull straight up on the anchor. If you're drifting it'll itself out nicely, if it's really calm you may need to back the boat off a little, tug to set the anchor and then tie it off on the cleat.

Just imagine the action that needs to occur on the bottom to get that thing to flip down and dig the prongs into the bottom when you're sitting and you'll get the idea. I've had those things stick where I'm damn near killing myself trying to get it free, but haven't lost one yet.

 

[bgc]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

Your chain sound like its suitable but you need more rode.......much more, 30 feet will work in 4' of water with no waves.

I know it's expensive and a pain to store but get a good length of quality rope. It will last YEARS if taken care of and you will be happy with the results. laserbrn is correct drop the anchor and let it start digging flat.

On the issue of swinging in the wind, a drift sock on the stern cleat will slow this motion.

 

[David8333]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I mainly fish in the Gulf of Mexico were the wind and waves can get rough at times and anchoring is tough. I suggest you go to Walmart and buy a 16 lb. river anchor (no chain needed) and try that. If it does not work for you Walmart will gladly return it. I like river anchors because they will scoop up dirt and dig into the bottom and their cheap. Also It sounds like you may not be letting out enough line after you drop anchor, For example: In 10 feet deep water you should let out 20 feet or so of line or the next time your at the boat ramp ask other boats what their using. Anyway, I hope this helps.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

I'm anti-nautical when it comes to anchoring, My current setup is an 18lb black plastic type anchor (feels like it is full of sand?) hooked to 2 feet of galvanized chain and 100 ft of line.

If ANYONE was to put out the proper scope in my lake you would wipe out a row of boats, I simply throw out an extra 10ft and NEVER drift! We noticed a bunch of people today trying to make something work out of a crappy setup and they were blowing everywhere today!

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

so your about to hear all about needing more chain, bigger chain, more rope, less rope, how to properly set the anchor when in the water, proper anchors for sandy, muddy, rocky........take my advice and go buy a "box anchor". i had the same problem as you when i first started boating. i did some research and found that the box anchor had some great reviews. i have used it for 6 years now and it has NEVER come loose. you litteraly just hook it up to a rope(NO CHAIN NEEDED) and throw it in the water. often times people will hook up to me after they cant get there anchors to hold. ive had 4 other boats tied up to me at times and it still didnt budge. another product i would recomend is the shore spike. i will use this when i anchor near a beach, the box anchor off the bow of the boat and the shore spike on the beach tied to the back of the boat. that way the boat stays exactly where i put it when playing with the family on the beach/park.

good luck and happy boating!!!!

Chain is most certainly needed to keep the "rope" from abrading on the bottom. Once upon a time I attempted to anchor in the Willamette, and my rode got cut clean as a knife. If I had the luck to hit that with the chain, I wouldn't have been out an anchor. Davey Jones will have his due.

 

[glastron_scott]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

Chain is most certainly needed to keep the "rope" from abrading on the bottom. Once upon a time I attempted to anchor in the Willamette, and my rode got cut clean as a knife. If I had the luck to hit that with the chain, I wouldn't have been out an anchor. Davey Jones will have his due.

all i can really say is that the anchor works exactly as advertised. no chain, 2/1 scope. however i do use a little more scope if the conditions are rough. as to your rode getting cut i believe the "bar" that you hook the rode to on the anchor would keep it from abrading on the bottom. i know im not going to change many of the minds on this forum. (old dogs/new tricks) comes to mind but to each his own i guess.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Having trouble keeping boat anchored

If the water is shallow enough, I will sometimes physically set the anchor into the sand.

Our lake has some shallow areas where we like to swim and eat lunch.