[Andy b]

I now have both anchors/chain and warps under there. also an extra 60m of cheap rope for Justin in there. it's a nice size

[nglauer]

Stupid question - but how much anchor line do you usually need? On the river - we would usually anchor in area's around 16ft - 30ft.. but I've seen some much deeper sections (all of which were bad places to anchor unless you want ran over by a river barge lol).

[Andy b]

If i'm out fishing then i'm looking for holes up to 30m/90' deep.
So for that i'll need about 6m/18' of chain and double the depth in warp/rope.

Here i'm in about 80' of water

You also have to remember in the solent we have a 4m/12' tide



here i'm a little deeper....lol



but here only about 3m/9'

[ShabahZ280]

Originally Posted by nglauer

Stupid question - but how much anchor line do you usually need? On the river - we would usually anchor in area's around 16ft - 30ft.. but I've seen some much deeper sections (all of which were bad places to anchor unless you want ran over by a river barge lol).

It takes some research into your common boating area to determine the proper amount of rope and chain rode. Depth is obviously the most important, but keep in mind currents, tides, etc. Then read up on "Scope" and use at least a 5:1 to keep yourself put. I'd recommend around 7:1 for the river given the current & traffic.

Boat US - Online Boating Safety Study Guide

Andy_b, when you say dual anchors, are you using one as a stern anchor as well? Or is it for another purpose? I've got a stern anchor to use while we're anchored, as mine likes to swing quite a bit if I don't use it. Have you ever been out when the tide came in? We don't have a tide on the Great Lakes, but I'm always curious to learn about boating in other areas!

[Andy b]

The rules for anchors (over here anyway) is to have your length of boat in chain, then twice the depth in water+10% in rope.
It’s the chain that does most of the work because it transfers the pulling force on the anchor from vertical to horizontal, this also helps the anchor set.

I have 2 different anchors on board, Ones a Danforth and the others a Bruce.
We have different types of sea bed around these parts, ranging from rocky too mud and sand.
Also you have to remember that I boat on tidal waters so if I beach the boat it could end up being a bit embracing to come back and find the boat high and dry!

The way around this is to drop one anchor offshore (the danforth) then beach the boat and use the Bruce as a beach anchor.
Instead of fixing the rope to the end of the chain on the offshore anchor you attach it to the bow eye of your boat then through a shackle on the end of the chain.
Then take the end of the rope through the beach anchor and attach it back to the bow eye.
So in essence you have a loop of rope attached to the boat, passing through the 2 anchors….

Then when you beach the boat, everybody gets off, you set the beach anchor and you pull the rope to take the boat back out too deeper water again.
When you want to leave you pull the boat back to shore. Pick up the beach anchor pull yourself back out to deep water, start the engine, recover the offshore anchor and you’re on your way…….lol



It’s a lot easier than I’ve made it sound…..Honest



PS
remember to safety wire the pin on the Shackle of the offshore anchor! because it can unwind as you pull the rope through it!!!
Don't ask........

[ColoradoDiablo]

I just use a bungee anchor rope.
Basically the same as you describe Andy , but no beach anchor.
Course I don't have a 6000 lb boat either.

[nglauer]

I almost bought one of the anchor buddy bungee lines for the river. I will probably get one when we buy another boat.

Andy - I would be one of those guys stuck on the sand when the tide let out... luckily the only level fluctuations on the river were caused by rain or the US Corp of Engineers playing with the locks lol

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[Andy b]

Originally Posted by ColoradoDiablo

I just use a bungee anchor rope.
Basically the same as you describe Andy , but no beach anchor.
Course I don't have a 6000 lb boat either.

So how do you get the boat back?
or do you swim out for it

[ColoradoDiablo]

Have a line tied on bow eye as you do and just pull it in.
Works cool but I will say this , it only works well if you boat in areas where the bank slopes gradually.
Any more than 20' deep when you toss anchor and it won't 'hook up" very well.
I use it mainly when boating at lakes with rocky shorelines.