how long should my anchor line and chain be??

(naptownwake) · (naptownwake) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 05-13-2009, 7:27 AM

I typically drop the boat in lakes about 25 feet deep max. I obviously don't want to run short, but I also don't want to have a massive amount of rope to stow away alongside ballast, skis etc.

Thanks

(gawabr190) · (gawabr190) **Join Date: Aug 2007** 05-13-2009, 7:44 AM

US coast guard says...

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/saf_anchor.htm

(flackpack) · (flackpack) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 05-13-2009, 7:52 AM

Most boating safety experts suggest a rode of line at 5'-1' for your anchor line. If you are only anchoring for the day, and the water is calm, you can get away with a 3-1 anchor line plus a 10' lite weight chain on the anchor.

For your application you can get away with less than 100' of anchor line on board. Remember the football players who died recently in the gulf? they died because they had too little anchor line on their boat. as the seas grew rough, the boat anchored low, and the boat swamped and capsized. Be safe.

(Message edited by flackpack on May 13, 2009)

(colombiansurfer)

That is a lot of rope to have on board if you go by the 5 to 7 times the depth rate. I have an 50' rope and never had any problems. But then again the water is usually 15 - 20' deep.

(Message edited by colombiansurfer on May 13, 2009)

(antoddio) · (antoddio) **Join Date: Dec 2006** 05-13-2009, 7:57 AM

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=74835&pdesc=Braided_Nylon_Anchor_Lin e&cname=Dock-Anchor-Line&aID=602C&merchID=1009&r=view

I've been eyeing up this anchor line. The 1/2 inch one, either 150 or 200. I have the box anchor which can supposedly use a shorter scope. I'm not sure whether to go with 1/4 or 5/16 anchor chain and shackels. Probably will go with the poly coated chain.

Let me know what you decide, I'm trying to figure out my setup also.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 05-13-2009, 8:18 AM

I've been using this setup for probably 10 yrs & not run into any situation we couldn't handle. We usually tie up just off shore, but occasionally raft up & drop anchor at a boat race in deeper water.

100' of 1/2" rope
13 lb galvanized fluke anchor
8' of galvanized chain
Anchor Buddy
15" Sandspike

(showmedonttellme)

Something that reaches the bottom.

(882001) · (882001) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 05-13-2009, 8:27 AM

I run 100 foot of 3/8 rope anchor in 25-30 feet of water never had any trouble

(chaser) · (chaser) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 05-13-2009, 8:34 AM

check out a box anchor. I've heard lots of good things about them.

(naptownwake) · (naptownwake) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 05-13-2009, 9:34 AM

thanks! what material should I look for in the anchor line? hopefully something that doesn't soak up too much water.

(clubmyke) · (clubmyke) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 05-13-2009, 9:44 AM

i second the box anchor - it is awesome !

(stewart) · (stewart) **Join Date: Feb 2006** 05-13-2009, 10:20 AM

Jack, you want a nylon anchor line. It has a little stretch to it.

(dhcomp) · (dhcomp) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 05-13-2009, 11:08 AM

At least 3 to 1. I've got the superhooker setup with the 100" of rope and 6 or howeever long feet of chain.

Just remember, if you try and anchor with less than 3 to 1 on standard style anchor, it isn't going to hold worth a crap.

I think you can anchor 2 to 1 wiht the box style anchor. Another reason people love them.

(boarditup) · (boarditup) **Join Date: Jan 2004** 05-13-2009, 11:15 AM

The bigger and longer the chain, the better (wipe that smirk off). It actually holds as much as the anchor - it aligns the pull with the bottom. If you have to go short on rope, go long and heavy on chain - you always need ballast.

All of those lakes with ballast restrictions - anchor chain to the rescue. Just have 100' of 3/8" and you have a lot of weight in a compact space.

(jon43) · (jon43) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 05-13-2009, 1:01 PM

we use the box anchor with the anchor buddy. we drop anchor in about 15' and the boat is sitting in 6' (bow out)and tie off to a sand spike. this allows us to pull the boat into about 2' for loading up, and when we are done the anchor buddy pulls us out we unhook and go. we put a buoy on the end so we can pull up & hook up . we have been doing this for about 3 years never had a problem.

(rallyart) · (rallyart) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 05-13-2009, 1:23 PM

Nylon line for the anchor. I use 100' and it fits easily in my Box Anchor bag. I could put it 200' if I had to.
Karl gave good advice.

(brucemac) · (brucemac) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 05-13-2009, 2:53 PM

is the slide anchor mfg the only one who makes a folding box anchor? those things looks sweet, but they're not cheap! i have an anchor now, but it's like a danforth style and doesn't seem to hold well on the columbia.

(ottog1979) · (ottog1979) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 05-13-2009, 3:40 PM

Yup. Box Anchor is the Bomb! It would hold a battleship in the Columbia. About as cheap as you are going to get new is $140, but if you anchor a lot - well worth it. I found one used once on Craig's List for $100.

http://www.slideanchor.com/Hlm_ShopIT_ProductDetails.aspx?ID=024a8189-c4ba-41dc-9a41-c5e749bb8688

(hatepain) · (hatepain) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 05-13-2009, 3:52 PM

I've used the Box anchor a few times on the columbia and it holds no sweat. The only time I've had any trouble with it is on Chelan with very intense wind it slid in that instance. I always use the anchor buddy line but I'm starting to think that I should get a standard nylon line from all the talk here.

(brucemac) · (brucemac) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 05-13-2009, 5:11 PM

$140 isn't so bad. i must have been looking at a larger size and i don't need stainless. so the small then right? /edit sorry i see it now. didn't scroll down far enough. :-)

(Message edited by brucemac on May 13, 2009)