Anchoring - heavy chain vs longer chain?

[Bruce]

I have ordered a new Fortress FX-7 anchor to replace a well used galvanized fluke style anchor of greater weight but smaller size. I have typically used 5' of 5/16 chain attached to my anchors. Fortress recommends 3/16 chain for the FX-7 and 6' of it for every 25' of depth. What are your thoughts on continuing to use short but heavier chain versus going with a longer but lighter chain?

 

[farrelltravis]

Any chain is better than no chain. But, the bigger, and more of, chain the better. I would say 5' of 5/16 would be fine.

 

[sysinu]

I don't like to slip once set... so I use 12' of 3/8" (6 of the feet have PVC coating on it) for my overnight anchor (manson supreme). On my bow anchor (FX-11), I have a similar setup though I think it's closer to 10' and not 12' (and doesn't have PVC coating on it... that stuff doesn't bend and form the anchor locker very well). The chain really doesn't bother me because I use an Orval's EZ Pull with a buoy to retrieve my anchor when I have the space for it. Otherwise I just break my back like everyone else without a windlass.

People in Utah's "small water" bodies (Bear Lake, for example) seem dumber than most when they are anchoring. It's far too common for me to pull up to a beach, anchor out the bow and then set a stern anchor that has a hair of slack in it and then watch people progressively get closer to me. What's frustrating is it's always them telling me that I'm getting closer and slipping. I tell them that I'm securely anchored and that they need to reposition - only to see them pull their anchor and it has no chain on it at all.

My approach is total overkill, and that is how I like it. 5-6' of 5/16 should be totally fine so long as you keep a proper scope for your anchor type.

 

[Evildwarf]

4' to 5' of quality chain with a good shackle, good anchor line, the right anchor, and the correct amount of scope...did I say the correct amount of scope...and you should have no drag problems at all in most circumstances.
You definitely see some dumbass anchoring practices on lake waters...

 

[Murf'n'surf]

What depth are you anchoring in most often?

 

[jameskeller76]

I have 12 ft. of chain as well and it works well most of the time but the rocky bottom of Lake Travis can be challenging. But once you get a bite it doesn't move.

4' to 5' of quality chain with a good shackle, good anchor line, the right anchor, and the correct amount of scope...did I say the correct amount of scope...and you should have no drag problems at all in most circumstances.
You definitely see some dumbass anchoring practices on lake waters...

Agree, scope is the MOST important thing. No chain can make up for a proper ratio.

 

[Bruce]

What depth are you anchoring in most often?

Most of my anchoring is backed up to an island with a rocky shoreline. I try for 15' for 3:1 scope using my 50' anchor buddy. Sometimes the slope of the bottom is so great that it ends up being 20'+ of water. In that situation the extra chain would help to maintain scope.

 

[jameskeller76]

Most of my anchoring is backed up to an island with a rocky shoreline. I try for 15' for 3:1 scope using my 50' anchor buddy. Sometimes the slope of the bottom is so great that it ends up being 20'+ of water. In that situation the extra chain would help to maintain scope.

In 20' of water I would want 100' of rode. 5:1 is really what you are looking for. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/anchorsteps.htm

 

[Bruce]

In 20' of water I would want 100' of rode. 5:1 is really what you are looking for. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/anchorsteps.htm

In this situation my effective scope is much greater than it would be in a flat bottomed area. Since the boat is uphill from the anchor the angle of the anchor and chain compared to bottom is less than it would be on a flat bottom.

I would like to use more rode but the slope would quickly have the anchor in 100' of water where I would need even more.

 

[jameskeller76]

In this situation my effective scope is much greater than it would be in a flat bottomed area. Since the boat is uphill from the anchor the angle of the anchor and chain compared to bottom is less than it would be on a flat bottom.

I would like to use more rode but the slope would quickly have the anchor in 100' of water where I would need even more.

Ahh, sorry, didn't get that part! I think a long heavy chain would be very useful in that situation.

 

[sysinu]

If you're having to anchor in rocky areas and don't want to put a ton of chain on your line, you can always put a 15# mushroom anchor 15-20' up your line. Doesn't get royally screwed up in rocks but keeps your anchor set. Kind of does the same thing as your anchor buddy, but keeps the up/down off your shank from waves. I don't usually use it because I like my anchor retrieval system and the mushroom mucks it up (so I just use more chain) but I don't really boat in rocky bottom areas. Just silty or muddy bottoms (that sounds gross when I read it).

 

[sysinu]

Also... 3:1 scope is going to present an issue with most anchors. Not to be on the box bandwaggon, but a box might be your best option (I use chain on my box anchor just so my anchor retrieval system works properly).

 

[Gym]

I boat exclusively in the ocean where tidal current and wind are a constant challenge. I use a fluke with 5' of 5/16 chain with no problems. Most of my anchorages are sandy but occasionally muddy and rocky. I generally use only a 3:1 scope most of the time as I'm usually near the boat. Once in a while I'll use a 4 or 5:1 if I'm going to be out of sight of the boat. I've never dragged an anchor in my 5 years with this boat. The FX7 is rated for boats 16-27'. I'm sure the manufacturer is making recommendations based on the 27' boat which would be a much heavier boat than our jet boats.

 

[sysinu]

The main thing for my using FX-11 instead of FX-7 is because it was the largest anchor that would fit in the bow locker. Both are great anchors! Not sure if boat weight makes a huge (negative) difference on the anchor. I believe boat length factors in because of buoyancy. The larger the boat, the more buoyant - which means when there is weather, there is more upward force on the anchor.

 

[0627Devildog]

How often do you guys drop anchor? I literally cannot remember the last time I used my Anchor. . . . . . .

 

[Bruce]

The main thing for my using FX-11 instead of FX-7 is because it was the largest anchor that would fit in the bow locker. Both are great anchors! Not sure if boat weight makes a huge (negative) difference on the anchor. I believe boat length factors in because of buoyancy. The larger the boat, the more buoyant - which means when there is weather, there is more upward force on the anchor.

Does the FX11 fit in the 240 anchor locker without cutting? It certainly will not fit in the 230 anchor locker.

If I find I want more holding power I might try ordering FX-11 flukes to install on the FX-7.

 

[sysinu]

Does the FX11 fit in the 240 anchor locker without cutting? It certainly will not fit in the 230 anchor locker.

If I find I want more holding power I might try ordering FX-11 flukes to install on the FX-7.

In mine, yes - I had to cut a few inches off the stock. I don't use the mounts or anything, I just lay the anchor down in the locker. The shank is short enough, that is the important part, I think.

 

[0627Devildog]

In mine, yes - I had to cut a few inches off the stock. I don't use the mounts or anything, I just lay the anchor down in the locker. The shank is short enough, that is the important part, I think.

Did you put any padding down? If not, is it secured in another way? Or are you concerned at all about it coming through the hull?

 

[sysinu]

Did you put any padding down? If not, is it secured in another way? Or are you concerned at all about it coming through the hull?

No padding, I don't secure it, I travel with it in. Not worried at all about it mucking my hull up. These aluminum anchors are SO LIGHT that it doesn't matter IMO. I have 250' of nylon under it, maybe that's the padding you're looking for ;-).

 

[Bruce]

How often do you guys drop anchor? I literally cannot remember the last time I used my Anchor. . . . . . .

Most of our outings involve lunch or dinner on an island. So our anchor gets used a lot.