question about anchors

[simple]

What are the differences between a round mushroom type vs a fluke one? Just by looks the fluke style seems that it would hold better as it would dig into the ground better? What do you recommend for my 20 foot bayliner?

 

[cuzner]

Re: question about anchors

your gonna get lots of replys on this one.a mushroom anchor will be useless for you.Its basicly just a sinker, wiorks ok for small alluminum boats, noy much good for your boat unless you plan on anchoring in a swamp where it will sink deep into the muck, or as a second anchor to slow your drifting down.the other type will dig into to the bottom and stop your boat from moving, you should also use about 5 feet of chain atatched to the anchor before you add rope.some people say you don't need the chain....I used to not it, but take my word for it it makes anchoring a lot easier and seems to help keep the anchor biting into the bottom.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[bayman]

Re: question about anchors

I like what cuzner said.<br /><br />The fluke type anchors have been proven (by the US military and others) to have very good holding power in sand or mud. They will easily outperform a mushroom anchor. <br /><br />It's true about a good heavy chain too, they do help. Also, as you probably know, you need to be sure to have enough line. For most anchors to really hold they need an anchor line/rode at least 3 times the depth of the water in order to bite. Otherwise, the boat will just drag them around.

 

[skipperjohn]

Re: question about anchors

Believe the previous two skippers they are right on. The only thing I would caution you about is the length of the Rode. In my opinion, 3 times the depth you are in is the bare minimum. Once you get set up, I would go out and practice a few times. You will find that dropping the hook is not as easy as you may think. After a while you will know how much rode to ply out for your boat and conditions you're in.<br /><br />Red skies at night.

 

[Realgun]

Re: question about anchors

I want to get an anchor too. The lake we have is basically a sand bottom. Ok all the lakes we have are nothing but sand with water on top. <br />What is going to be a good cheap small anchor?

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: question about anchors

For a sand or mud bottom the Danforth style anchors are hard to beat. Once properly set, they will hold out of all proportion to their size and weight. There are charts in West Marine's catalog that will show you the proper size for your boat. Buy the next one up if you can stow it easily.<br /><br />Comments on rode and chain are right on. Three times the depth (including your freeboard) is a bare minimum if you are just wanting to hang around in a spot for a while to relax & swim. If there is no wind or current. If you are overnighting and want to wake up in the same place you went to sleep....7 times the depth is my minimum...10 times depth if I have any concerns regarding weather.<br /><br />Our boating is on a lake which has a great many coves and inlets. If anchoring out overnight I always pay close attention to the weather forecast and the predicted wind strength and direction...then anchor in a cove that provides the maximum natural protection from the predicted conditions. Makes for a much more comfortable nights sleep.

 

[Mark42]

Re: question about anchors

Realgun,<br /><br />Try the Fluke or Danforth anchor. It is what you need for those soft bottoms. And it doesn't work for beans unless you have between 3 and 7 times as much line as you are anchoring in. Calm day, anchoring in 5 ft of water needs 15 ft line minimum. Windy day/white caps in same 5 ft, you will need 35 ft of line. <br /><br />Like described above, the anchor needs a length of chain on it, plus the right abount of line (rode). The chain works to weigh down the rode so the pull is sideways. The longer the line, the better the sideways pull. The more you pull it sideways, the more it digs in. To retrieve the anchor, pull in your line until the boat is over the anchor. Then pull straight up and it comes right out. <br /><br />A common mistake is to get too big or too small an anchor. Too small it it won't hold, too big is just adding weight to the boat. The anchors list the boat size they are for.<br /><br />Don't forget the chain.<br /><br />Don't forget the chain.<br /><br />One more thing....<br /><br />Don't forget the chain.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: question about anchors

Post deleted by me..wrong info

 

[Scaaty]

Re: question about anchors

Originally posted by Robby6950:<br />[QB] I think that Mark42 covered it pretty well. BOOKS have been written on anchors. It aint as simple as it sounds. You are dealing with <br />Mother Nature here, so go "learn up" a bit

 

[QC]

Re: question about anchors

Another chain note . . . Chain is everything!!! But nowhere here does anybody list length execept the 5 foot note above. I have always used the length of the boat for chain length in small boats. That length will be a little more difficult to handle, but will allow for a shorter total rode for quick anchoring. If you use that much chain and follow the sizing reccommemdations for the anchor (on the small side of the range is OK) you will be much more confident when anchoring.

 

[simple]

Re: question about anchors

Will 1 fluke anchor hold my 20 foot bayliner, or must I use 2?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: question about anchors

Yes 1 fluke style anchor will hold your boat if its specific to your size boat. <br />I would recommend a 6 to 10 lb anchor and 6ft of 1/4 inch chain.<br />Dont forget the rode.<br /><br />Oh yea, It never hurts to have a spare anchor rig. Ya never know?????

 

[xecutech]

Re: question about anchors

OK, chain is important, and apparantly alot of rope for different conditions and depth.<br />I read that when there is a current or wind to anchor from the bow and not the stearn, that way the boat will be facing the current. Now, do I hook the anchor to the trailor pull ring on the front, or do I tie it to the bow's deck? I was wondering as not to have the boat tip from wide side or the other, and the ring seems to be a lower point and in the middle?!

 

[Darren Smith]

Re: question about anchors

xecutech, some boats have a dedicated cleat in the center of the bow, if yours does use that one, otherwise, it should have 2 cleats on either side, either of those will work. If it is easy to get to the trailer eye bolt, you could use that, but if there is an emergency, it may take too long to untie it, so a cleat topside is best. In a perfect world, you should never anchor from the stern. However it is done to prevent the boat from swinging on the anchor (a crowded anchorage). If you do anchor from the stern, I would recomend an anchor that doesn't hold as well as the primary off the bow, such as a large mushroom type.

 

[roscoe]

Re: question about anchors

Hey JB, you reading this?<br />Can you imagine using 200' of line on the Wolf river during the spring run?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: question about anchors

One flute anchor of appropriate size with chain and adequate scope will hold the boat. However, there are many times when a second anchor, often somewhat smaller should be used to keep the boat oriented in the proper direction.<br />1. If you are anchored in a crowd and cannot afford to swing with wind and current.<br />2. If wind or current is likely to change while you are anchored.<br /><br />You can put 2 anchors out on the same end, Bahamian style or you can run one out the opposite end.<br /><br />As someone said above, entire books have been written about anchoring. It is also the thing that causes the most grief and gets most people into trouble on the water.<br /><br />Anybody can anchor a boat when they are in an uncrowded anchorage with good ground and no sea and no wind. Its another thing entirely when the anchorage is crowded (as good anchorages often get), the bottom won't hold, the anchor is inadequate, the sea is rough, the currents are strong and changing, and the wind is up and changing directions.

 

[QC]

Re: question about anchors

I agree with the Knot Addict on the cleats. But I still think your chain should be longer than six feet. Again, this will allow for shorter total rode when necessary, like the 200 ft. roscoe comment . . . <br /><br />I anchor in 4 ft. of water in 4 mph current sometimes and use the chain length plus just enough line to tie it off. Tight area with lots of boats and that's all I have to work with . . .

 

[xecutech]

Re: question about anchors

Are the rules the same when your in a lake, compared to a river or ocean? I will be boating in a lake.<br />Also, I have a cuddy cabin, so going to the bow can be a pain in the butt, especially if I slip and fall on it!<br />We will probably just drop anchor to swim, or hang out and fish.<br />From what I have learned, I think I will use my larger anchor in the front, and get a mushroom anchor for the rear.

 

[QC]

Re: question about anchors

If you are only going to be in a somwhat protected spot temporarily, then a stern anchor MAY be sufficient. I would use the fluke anchor though as the combiantion of being tied at the stern with the weaker anchor may not work well.<br /><br />Here is another tip. Whenever I anchor, I wait to make sure I have it set well. Then I pick out a visual, fixed reference (tree, rock, mountain peak etc.) I line that up with something on board, mking sure I have where I am standing or sitting remembered. I go to that spot in the boat periodically and line up my references to make sure I am not dragging the anchor. This has saved me a couple of times when I had a poor hook or the wind kicked up unexpectedly. In fact, when we are tied up, possibly even rafted together at anchor, I make this my personal crusade.