anchor advice

[navahoIII]

I'm thinking a 8-12 lb anchor (Danforth type) is suitable for the DS. Does that sound about right? Advice on type and length of rode?
Thanks.

[ChrisB]

I have a 10 lb "danforth type" anchor and it is more than enough for my uses. I have 15' of chain on mine (only because I was given the chain and I've been too lazy to bother cutting it; half that would be enough for most uses). Rode length depends on the depth of water where you anchor. Where I sail, the water depth runs 10 - 15 feet so I have about 100' of 1/4" nylon.

A 5 lb Danforth will hold up to 17' boat in a 20 kt wind. A 14 lb Danforth will hold a 31' boat in a 20 kt wind. If your intended use is as a "lunch hook" you can get by with lighter tackle. If you plan to anchor the boat overnight, lean toward a heavier anchor and lone enough rode for 7:1 ratio to water depth.

[GreenLake]

What ChrisB writes.

[jdoorly]

What GL writes.

And just to confirm I use a 4 pound Danforth with a 4 foot chain and 150 feet of 3/8" rode and I am always amazed at how well it digs in mud bottoms. I often anchor in the same area for lunch. The area is known for poor holding, so known for it that a club across the bay installed a half dozen moorings so their members could eat and swim, etc. without worry. I've seen many boats drift by me when I'm there. Even once I didn't get a good hold at first. But I nearly always back down on the anchor (with the motor in reverse) to set it. For the overnight trips I anticipate I have a 9 pound claw on 8 feet of chain. I do find that the DS tends to 'sail' back and forth at anchor even with it's minimal windage.

[hectoretc]

Question please... I commonly read about chains with anchors. What is the purpose, what does that do, as opposed to simply tying the anchor to a line?

Thanks - Scott

[GreenLake]

Question please... I commonly read about chains with anchors. What is the purpose, what does that do, as opposed to simply tying the anchor to a line?

Scott,

• a chain is more chafe proof - so if your anchorage has sharp rocks on the bottom, rope might not last long.
• a chain is heavy - so it requires much stronger pull to be pulled straight. That does two things:
  1. it keeps the pull on the anchor more horizontal
  2. it cushions a sudden load on the anchor, because first, the chain has to be pulled taut

On the other hand:

• a chain is not springy - so it comes taut with a jerk, whereas nylon rode would stretch a bit
• a chain is heavy - so you don't want to carry too much of it on a small boat

For dropping a "lunch hook" many of these issues apply less than when you want to ride out a gale surrounded by a rocky shore in a big boat. The few times I've anchored the DS, a few feet of chain plus the balance in line is what I used. The chain may well have been overkill - in the senses that probably the DS was held entirely by the chain...