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Author Topic:   How many anchors?

paddyt111 posted 07-31-2008 03:59 PM ET (US)
I have a 210 Ventura. I have a question; how many anchors do you carry? And how much rope? I ask this question because I found myself beaching my boat on a sandy beach last week only to realize the tide was going out. The back end of the boat wouldn't stay straight. It wanted to go broad side the beach. I was only carrying one anchor and quickly realized my problem could not be solved with just one.
I figured that I needed two if not three anchors (opinions welcome). One for the beach, and one possible two to tie off the stern in two directions. So how many do you carry?? Pat
lavieve posted 07-31-2008 04:07 PM ET (US)
I carry two anchors: a small one I use as a lunch hook; and a second that is for serious anchoring. The rule on the length of the rode is that it should be 4 to 5 times the depth of the water in which you anchor - this includes a section of chain that is essential for holding the shank down (parallel to the bottom). This is critical to allow the anchor to dig in. Thus, take a look at the depth in which you operate your boat and go from there. As for anchoring on a beach with the tide going out - my advice is that you don't want to have a beached whaler. If the tide is going out, drop off your crew and back off so that when it comes time to leave, you have water under you.
Plotman posted 07-31-2008 05:31 PM ET (US)
I have taken to carrying a "real" anchor on 150 feet of line, a little anchor, and a short screw in anchor - essentially a mobile home anchor that I can screw into a beach to hold the bow or stern when the other end is anchored.
kwik_wurk posted 07-31-2008 05:58 PM ET (US)
I do not suggest rigidly anchoring abeam the beach unless the wind and current are directing the boat that way. That sort of situation will likely lead to one of the anchors dragging or high loading on the cleats/lines/whatever.
Anchoring the boat "bow-out" is my suggestion with at least x2 depth for day stuff and x3-x4 for overnighting. Set the anchor deep enough and with enough line so that you can swing toward the beach and get off. And make sure you set the anchor too. You can use a sand spike to tie off a small line so that you can retrieve the boat (by pulling the stern to the beach).
When you set up for anchor you have to factor: tide, depth, current/wind, amount of rhode to put out, and what the beach is like (rocks, sand, mud).
This is what I suggest for anchors (ground tackle):
If the boat (sailboats included) can have all the important underwater components easily removed or trimmed up (outboards, rudders, etc.) then: ONE anchor.
If the boat has any shafting, props, rudders, or a keel that will get damaged then: TWO anchors.
For each anchor I go by the manufactures recommended size (or one up). If it I am going to use chain/rope rhode then the chain needs to be at least the weight of the anchor, and have 4-5 times the depth I'll ever anchor in.
Two other things I carry is a sand spike and small roller loop (for going around pilings and trees).
This is what I carry:
Montauk (17')
#1-Danforth - ~10' 5/16" chain, 100' 1/2" nylon
#2-Sand Spike
J/109 (36')
#1-Fortress (Aluminum) - ~20' 3/8" chain, 250' 3/8" dyneema
#2-None, racing boat and another anchor is too much weight, other wise a danforth
Bayline 4087 (43')
#1-Bruce - 250' 3/8" chain, 150' 1/2" nylon
#2-Danforth - 30' 3/8" chain, 250' 5/8" nylon
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-31-2008 07:11 PM ET (US)
The answer is going to depend a great deal on where and why
and when you anchor.
My 1997ish Montauk 17 get's by just fine on a single small
Danforth Hi-Tensile, 13' of chain, and 250' of 3/8" line.
But I know the bottoms I'm dropping on (and can put the
anchor in sand, usually, and can move it to the sand when
I dive otherwise), and I anchor to dive, and I don't anchor
overnight. I never ever beach the boat. Well, not
intentionally.
Like everything about boats, there's no one right answer.

Chuck
paddyt111 posted 07-31-2008 10:19 PM ET (US)
The bottoms I use are usually rocky and can be deep. I see the sensibilities of having lots of rope. My question is more about anchoring on or near a beach where I want to control the front and the back of the boat. I am curious on whether people carry two or three (albeit different sizes) anchors for this sort of thing. Keeping in mind my boat is 21 feet.
deepwater posted 08-01-2008 06:54 AM ET (US)
the conditions you describe sound normal for beaching a boat ,is this the only place you beach your boat or are there other places,,ask yourself,is it calm?,,wind waves and current play a big role in anchor selection,,are you leaving the boat and wading in or staying on-board to fish,,the idea of more than one anchor has been discussed before ,,to save space i suggested a small pillow case filled with sand approx 15lb and dropped in a shallow hole(where the sand came from) on the beach would be all that was needed
tombro posted 08-01-2008 08:40 AM ET (US)
For the shallow (18 foot max where I anchor) sandy areas I frequent with my Ventura, the Lewmar Delta 14# anchor does a brilliant job. Just upgraded this season to one, and love it.
chopbuster posted 08-01-2008 01:14 PM ET (US)
K.I.S.S.
I use two of these for my 150 Sport when I beach her and I have seen others with larger boats use them as well.
Holds well, high visibility, light weight and corrosion free.
Bought at Lowes for $3.98
chopbuster posted 08-01-2008 01:14 PM ET (US)
My bad.

http://www.lehighgroup.com/lehigh_sub_groundstake.htm
SJUAE posted 08-01-2008 05:10 PM ET (US)
Pat
When I stop on a shallow sandy beach I usually run the main on to shore then push the boat back out depending how far I want to swim/wade back.
I then throw out one or 2 small folding grapnels depending which way he wind or current is pushing the boat to stop it coming back ashore or to shallow.
The grapnels hold enough against wind/tide but allow me to pull ashore to pick up the main and pull back on the grapnels before starting up on leaving.
If the water is too cold or you don’t want to get wet deploy the grapnels first whilst you have forward momentum
Regards
Steve
paddyt111 posted 08-02-2008 07:56 AM ET (US)
These posts have been of great thanks...Pat

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Author	Topic: How many anchors?
paddyt111	posted 07-31-2008 03:59 PM ET (US) I have a 210 Ventura. I have a question; how many anchors do you carry? And how much rope? I ask this question because I found myself beaching my boat on a sandy beach last week only to realize the tide was going out. The back end of the boat wouldn't stay straight. It wanted to go broad side the beach. I was only carrying one anchor and quickly realized my problem could not be solved with just one. I figured that I needed two if not three anchors (opinions welcome). One for the beach, and one possible two to tie off the stern in two directions. So how many do you carry?? Pat
lavieve	posted 07-31-2008 04:07 PM ET (US) I carry two anchors: a small one I use as a lunch hook; and a second that is for serious anchoring. The rule on the length of the rode is that it should be 4 to 5 times the depth of the water in which you anchor - this includes a section of chain that is essential for holding the shank down (parallel to the bottom). This is critical to allow the anchor to dig in. Thus, take a look at the depth in which you operate your boat and go from there. As for anchoring on a beach with the tide going out - my advice is that you don't want to have a beached whaler. If the tide is going out, drop off your crew and back off so that when it comes time to leave, you have water under you.
Plotman	posted 07-31-2008 05:31 PM ET (US) I have taken to carrying a "real" anchor on 150 feet of line, a little anchor, and a short screw in anchor - essentially a mobile home anchor that I can screw into a beach to hold the bow or stern when the other end is anchored.
kwik_wurk	posted 07-31-2008 05:58 PM ET (US) I do not suggest rigidly anchoring abeam the beach unless the wind and current are directing the boat that way. That sort of situation will likely lead to one of the anchors dragging or high loading on the cleats/lines/whatever. Anchoring the boat "bow-out" is my suggestion with at least x2 depth for day stuff and x3-x4 for overnighting. Set the anchor deep enough and with enough line so that you can swing toward the beach and get off. And make sure you set the anchor too. You can use a sand spike to tie off a small line so that you can retrieve the boat (by pulling the stern to the beach). When you set up for anchor you have to factor: tide, depth, current/wind, amount of rhode to put out, and what the beach is like (rocks, sand, mud). This is what I suggest for anchors (ground tackle): If the boat (sailboats included) can have all the important underwater components easily removed or trimmed up (outboards, rudders, etc.) then: ONE anchor. If the boat has any shafting, props, rudders, or a keel that will get damaged then: TWO anchors. For each anchor I go by the manufactures recommended size (or one up). If it I am going to use chain/rope rhode then the chain needs to be at least the weight of the anchor, and have 4-5 times the depth I'll ever anchor in. Two other things I carry is a sand spike and small roller loop (for going around pilings and trees). This is what I carry: Montauk (17') #1-Danforth - ~10' 5/16" chain, 100' 1/2" nylon #2-Sand Spike J/109 (36') #1-Fortress (Aluminum) - ~20' 3/8" chain, 250' 3/8" dyneema #2-None, racing boat and another anchor is too much weight, other wise a danforth Bayline 4087 (43') #1-Bruce - 250' 3/8" chain, 150' 1/2" nylon #2-Danforth - 30' 3/8" chain, 250' 5/8" nylon
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-31-2008 07:11 PM ET (US) The answer is going to depend a great deal on where and why and when you anchor. My 1997ish Montauk 17 get's by just fine on a single small Danforth Hi-Tensile, 13' of chain, and 250' of 3/8" line. But I know the bottoms I'm dropping on (and can put the anchor in sand, usually, and can move it to the sand when I dive otherwise), and I anchor to dive, and I don't anchor overnight. I never ever beach the boat. Well, not intentionally. Like everything about boats, there's no one right answer. Chuck
paddyt111	posted 07-31-2008 10:19 PM ET (US) The bottoms I use are usually rocky and can be deep. I see the sensibilities of having lots of rope. My question is more about anchoring on or near a beach where I want to control the front and the back of the boat. I am curious on whether people carry two or three (albeit different sizes) anchors for this sort of thing. Keeping in mind my boat is 21 feet.
deepwater	posted 08-01-2008 06:54 AM ET (US) the conditions you describe sound normal for beaching a boat ,is this the only place you beach your boat or are there other places,,ask yourself,is it calm?,,wind waves and current play a big role in anchor selection,,are you leaving the boat and wading in or staying on-board to fish,,the idea of more than one anchor has been discussed before ,,to save space i suggested a small pillow case filled with sand approx 15lb and dropped in a shallow hole(where the sand came from) on the beach would be all that was needed
tombro	posted 08-01-2008 08:40 AM ET (US) For the shallow (18 foot max where I anchor) sandy areas I frequent with my Ventura, the Lewmar Delta 14# anchor does a brilliant job. Just upgraded this season to one, and love it.
chopbuster	posted 08-01-2008 01:14 PM ET (US) K.I.S.S. I use two of these for my 150 Sport when I beach her and I have seen others with larger boats use them as well. Holds well, high visibility, light weight and corrosion free. Bought at Lowes for $3.98
chopbuster	posted 08-01-2008 01:14 PM ET (US) My bad. http://www.lehighgroup.com/lehigh_sub_groundstake.htm
SJUAE	posted 08-01-2008 05:10 PM ET (US) Pat When I stop on a shallow sandy beach I usually run the main on to shore then push the boat back out depending how far I want to swim/wade back. I then throw out one or 2 small folding grapnels depending which way he wind or current is pushing the boat to stop it coming back ashore or to shallow. The grapnels hold enough against wind/tide but allow me to pull ashore to pick up the main and pull back on the grapnels before starting up on leaving. If the water is too cold or you don’t want to get wet deploy the grapnels first whilst you have forward momentum Regards Steve
paddyt111	posted 08-02-2008 07:56 AM ET (US) These posts have been of great thanks...Pat