What anchor should I buy?

Ree-Yees wrote:
 > Im anchoring in J Percy Priest lake in tennesse, it is a muddy lake.

Then a Danforth would be the right anchor.


 > The people before me said they only used the anchor twice, so I would assume
 > they just had it for the heck of it. However, me and my family like to
 > anchor down for an hour to do some fishing or swimming.

In even the lightest breeze or slightest current, the river anchor you
have is likely to drag.

 >
 > I have been looking up some anchoring information and it appears that I have
 > been going about it all wrong and with this garbage anchor.


I wouldn't call it a "garbage anchor"...it has a specific purpose. I
just wouldn't even leave the boat unattended/no one aboard with only
that anchor down.


 > I realize now that I am supposed to be giving it a bit of slack to make like
 > a 45 degree angle with my anchor!

There's a bit more to it than that. The minimum scope (length of anchor
line) should be at least 3x the water's depth...so in 15' of water,
you'd need to put out at least 45' of anchor line. In windy conditions
or in a strong current (which you might have to do if you have engine
trouble to keep from going aground till help arrives), the scope has to
be increase to as much as 7x the water's depth to make sure the anchor
holds. This "rule" applies regardless of the size of the boat,
btw...boat size/weight only matters when selecting the right size/weight
anchor...there are charts in most of the marine catalogs that show the
type and size anchor needed.

No one has mentioned anchor line... Do not use polypropylene "ski rope"
as an anchor line. Anchor line should be 1/2" 3-strand nylon, at least
100'...150' would be even better. It should be attached to the anchor
using a thimble and a shackle that swivles, not just tied to it with
knot. I'd also put 4-5' of heavy anchor chain between the anchor and the
line, to help weight the anchor down...anchors can only hold when
they're lying flat--which is the reason for 3-7 x the water's depth.

 > There sure is alot to learn about boats.

Yep...and we've even barely even scratched the surface on what you need
to know about anchoring. I strongly recommend that you take a CC Aux or
US Power Squadron boating safety class. 'Cuz even a lake can be a very
dangerous place if you don't know what you're doing.

 > "JAXAshby" <jaxashby.DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote in message
  >>that is an anchor for muddy rivers and lakes. It is the PREFERRED anchor
  >> for
  >>muddy rivers and lakes on boats just stopped to do a little fishing.

I disagree, Jax...and I was ON an inland lake for 20+ years. I had a 10
lb river anchor that kept through several boats from 24' to 36'...I
mostly used it off the stern to keep it from swinging when anchored just
off a beach...I wouldn't use one as my only anchor while everyone is the
water swimming, only while someone is aboard.

  >>Don't let anyone talk you into some anchor/chain/12 to 1 scope monstrosity
  >>better suited to anchoring on a coral reef.

Oooh...you're gonna draw fire with that choice of words!

What he needs is the right anchor and line for his boat and conditions.
It's not whether he's in the ocean or a lake that determine that...it's
the size/weight of the boat and the type of bottom--sand, mud, rock.


--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/product.php?productid=40&cat=&page=1" target="_blank">http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/product.php?productid=40&cat=&page=1</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

On 16 May 2004 13:07:28 GMT, jaxashby RemoveThis @aol.com (JAXAshby) wrote:

 >danforths are not normally used in rivers

===================================

Jax, I'd almosr forgotten about your river experience. Tell us once
again how you recommended to some poor schnook on this news group that
he navigate the Genesee River between the NYS Barge Canal (AKA, Erie),
and Lake Ontario.

See the link below for a good picture of the route Jax proposed:

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.geneseeriverrestaurant.com/images/dam.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.geneseeriverrestaurant.com/images/dam.jpg</a>

If we look at that picture under sufficient magnification we might be
able to see Jax just above the dam in his Porta Bote, about to soil
his knickers.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

wayne gits hisself in a hissy fit when hes finds hisself say sumpin stewped
twice agains, as iss shows below:

  >>danforths are not normally used in rivers
 >
 >===================================
 >
 >Jax, I'd almosr forgotten about your river experience. Tell us once
 >again how you recommended to some poor schnook on this news group that
 >he navigate the Genesee River between the NYS Barge Canal (AKA, Erie),
 >and Lake Ontario.
 >
 >See the link below for a good picture of the route Jax proposed:
 >
 >http://www.geneseeriverrestaurant.com/images/dam.jpg
 >
 >If we look at that picture under sufficient magnification we might be
 >able to see Jax just above the dam in his Porta Bote, about to soil
 >his knickers.
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

"Ree-Yees" <ree-yees.TakeThisOut@allaroundit.com> wrote in message
news:Rjxpc.6667$uK.25@fe09.usenetserver.com...
 > Im anchoring in J Percy Priest lake in tennesse, it is a muddy lake.
 >
 > The people before me said they only used the anchor twice, so I would
assume
 > they just had it for the heck of it. However, me and my family like to
 > anchor down for an hour to do some fishing or swimming.
 >
 > I have been looking up some anchoring information and it appears that I
have
 > been going about it all wrong and with this garbage anchor. All the other
 > boats that I see anchored are just dropping them over the side to the
bottom
 > and ting it up. So that is what I have done.
 >
 > I realize now that I am supposed to be giving it a bit of slack to make
like
 > a 45 degree angle with my anchor! That danforth anchor looks pretty cool.
I
 > have seen some like that for about $30 at bass pro so I might test one of
 > those out too.
 >
 > There sure is alot to learn about boats. Sure sucks some money away too!
 >
 > Thanks guys,
 > --C
 >
 > "JAXAshby" <jaxashby.TakeThisOut@aol.com> wrote in message
 > news:20040515182806.10326.00001598@mb-m03.aol.com...
  > > that is an anchor for muddy rivers and lakes. It is the PREFERRED
anchor
 > for
  > > muddy rivers and lakes on boats just stopped to do a little fishing.
  > >
  > > Don't let anyone talk you into some anchor/chain/12 to 1 scope
monstrosity
  > > better suited to anchoring on a coral reef.
  > >
  > > what you have preferred for the waters that boat used in prior, and
 > probably
  > > the waters you intend to use the boat in now.
  > >
   > > >I have an anchor (came with the used boat) that looks like this:
  > >
 >
 >http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45253&hvarTarget=s
 > e
   > > >arch&cmCat=SearchResults
   > > >
   > > >Mine is probably 15 pounds. When I anchor in 15-20 feet of water the
 > boat
   > > >will slowly still move away. After about 30 minutes I will have moved
 > 15-20
   > > >yards back out into the lake.
   > > >
   > > >What style of anchor do I need for a 19 foot sea ray?
   > > >
   > > >--C
   > > >

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45258&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults" target="_blank">http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45258&hvarTar...=search</a>
The 10# would be good for your boat. Put 8-10' of 1/4" to 5/16" galvanized
chain between the anchor and 3/8" anchor line / rope. Use no less than 3/8"
line as anything smaller hurts your hands as you pull the anchor. Get
anchor line, not poly rope as does not float, and is easier to deal with.
Costs maybe $20 for 100' of line. I keep a second 100' line in the boat, if
I need more, but I also anchor in deep, fast rivers. I have one to the
mushroom anchors, and it does not hold very well. I use it on my Anchor
Buddy line, as it rarely gets stuck, but will hold for the purpose of
keeping the back of the boat off the beach.
Bill<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

 >Put 8-10' of 1/4" to 5/16" galvanized
 >chain between the anchor and 3/8" anchor line / rope.

in all my years in and around boats on Midwest lakes, I never saw, nor ever
heard of, using chain on an anchor. Not once. You tie the rope to the
mushroom and drop it overboard.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

On 18 May 2004 00:21:07 GMT, jaxashby.DeleteThis@aol.com (JAXAshby) wrote:

  >>Put 8-10' of 1/4" to 5/16" galvanized
  >>chain between the anchor and 3/8" anchor line / rope.
 >
 >in all my years in and around boats on Midwest lakes, I never saw, nor ever
 >heard of, using chain on an anchor. Not once. You tie the rope to the
 >mushroom and drop it overboard.

Rope. In all of his millennia handling boats, he uses rope.

--



Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC.

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/cavern/" target="_blank">http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/cavern/</a> Homepage
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.southharbourvillageinn.com/directions.asp" target="_blank">http://www.southharbourvillageinn.com/directions.asp</a> Where Southport,NC is located.
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.southharbourvillageinn.linksysnet.com" target="_blank">http://www.southharbourvillageinn.linksysnet.com</a> Real Time Pictures at My Marina
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats" target="_blank">http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats</a> Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

On Mon, 17 May 2004 20:57:17 -0400, "Gene Kearns"
<ewkearns.RemoveThis@triad.rr.com> wrote:

 >Rope. In all of his millennia handling boats, he uses rope.

==================================

And if you give him enough of it....<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

Evidently there is at least one big lake called "Lake Michigan". Some people
think it's so big they need to have chain AND big boats. I haven't Googled it
yet, but it sounds REALLY big!

There are, of course, 'littler' lakes - like Lake Winnebago. Those lakes don't
need big boats or chain, right?

I don't travel in lakes anymore, but your expertise would be invaluable to those
who do. Please let them know before it's too late!

Dan


JAXAshby wrote:

  >>Put 8-10' of 1/4" to 5/16" galvanized
  >>chain between the anchor and 3/8" anchor line / rope.
 >
 >
 > in all my years in and around boats on Midwest lakes, I never saw, nor ever
 > heard of, using chain on an anchor. Not once. You tie the rope to the
 > mushroom and drop it overboard.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

On Tue, 18 May 2004 00:45:47 GMT, Dan Krueger
<dankrueger.DeleteThis@xxxmindspring.com> wrote:

 >There are, of course, 'littler' lakes - like Lake Winnebago. Those lakes don't
 >need big boats or chain, right?

=====================================

Jax got his experience on Lake Windy Bagel, much smaller than
Winnebago.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

On Sat, 15 May 2004 13:52:18 -0500, "Ree-Yees"
<ree-yees.TakeThisOut@allaroundit.com> wrote:

 >I have an anchor (came with the used boat) that looks like this:
 >http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45253&hvarTarget=se
 >arch&cmCat=SearchResults
 >
 >Mine is probably 15 pounds. When I anchor in 15-20 feet of water the boat
 >will slowly still move away. After about 30 minutes I will have moved 15-20
 >yards back out into the lake.
 >
 >What style of anchor do I need for a 19 foot sea ray?
 >
 >--C
 >
 >

I have a 4 pound danforth anchor for my little boat. Got it at Walmart
for $11 on clearance. I can't use chain. My anchor is on the front
and I sit on the back. I have the rope rigged through a pulley so I
can lower it and raise it from the back. Chain would not go through
the pulley and the anchor must be all the way to the pulley or it will
be in the water and hit the boat. I use an extension cord reel to keep
the rope from getting tangled. Works really well.

In rocky waters, it can catch and be nearly impossible to raise. But
it holds in swift current at the dam's base which is what I want. In
muddy or sandy waters I have to "set" it. Which means I drop anchor
and then back up laying out line, When I have enough line out I secure
the anchor and continue backing until it catches and the boat stops.
Never drift an inch that way. Sometimes takes a few tries to get it to
catch though.

I have a 10 pound mushroom anchor that I keep at the stern. I use it
to keep the boat from moving around in circles and tangling my fishing
lines. The 4 pound danforth holds much better than the 10 pound
mushroom in every situation except soft mud. It sinks down and holds
tight.

But my experience comes from using a 14ft fiberglass semi-v jon boat.
I don't know how well it applies to big boats.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

"JAXAshby" <jaxashby.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040517202107.11274.00000969@mb-m20.aol.com...
  > >Put 8-10' of 1/4" to 5/16" galvanized
  > >chain between the anchor and 3/8" anchor line / rope.
 >
 > in all my years in and around boats on Midwest lakes, I never saw, nor
ever
 > heard of, using chain on an anchor. Not once. You tie the rope to the
 > mushroom and drop it overboard.

You ain't seen much. First you do not use rope on an anchor. And if there
is wind, on a lake, you want the chain to help get the anchor to set. Try
Okeechobee. I bet the wind can blow bit time there.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

Calif Bill wrote:

 > You ain't seen much. First you do not use rope on an anchor.

According to whom???? Or do you only mean that rope shouldn't be
connected directly to the anchor?

I'd guess that 99% of small powerboat anchor lines are rope...and very
few of 'em have any chain between the anchor and the rode. Not that it
isn't a good idea...they just don't have any.

The major mistake many of 'em make is in just tying the line onto the
anchor with a unidentifiable mess that doesn't even come close to
resembling any recognized knot instead of using a thimble and a shackle.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/product.php?productid=40&cat=&page=1" target="_blank">http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/product.php?productid=40&cat=&page=1</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy? 

Calif Bill wrote:

 > "JAXAshby" <jaxashby.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
 > news:20040517202107.11274.00000969@mb-m20.aol.com...
   > > >Put 8-10' of 1/4" to 5/16" galvanized
   > > >chain between the anchor and 3/8" anchor line / rope.
  > >
  > > in all my years in and around boats on Midwest lakes, I never saw, nor
 > ever
  > > heard of, using chain on an anchor. Not once. You tie the rope to the
  > > mushroom and drop it overboard.
 >
 > You ain't seen much. First you do not use rope on an anchor.

Of course you do and can. Under some conditions, all you want is a
little "river" anchor and 20' of light line. Depends on the conditions.
Or are you one of those who are hung up on "line, rope or rode?"



And if there
 > is wind, on a lake, you want the chain to help get the anchor to set. Try
 > Okeechobee. I bet the wind can blow bit time there.


I've fished the Big O nearly a dozen times. Never anchored once while
fishing. Did anchor several times on the edges of the canals there, and
used an 8# "river" anchor with some light line. No chain. No need for
chain.

When fishing the ICW shallows in Florida, I didn't use chain, either. In
fact, I simply tied a line around a smooth, round weight. The water was
shallow and I didn't want to rip up any oyster beds.


Under certain circumstances, the "hard and fast" rules simply do not apply.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: What anchor should I buy?