Conquest 305 Anchor Rode upgrade - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
  Conquest 305 Anchor Rode upgrade

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Conquest 305 Anchor Rode upgrade

defender posted 07-25-2007 06:17 PM ET (US)
I have an 2006 305 and we have overnighted on the hook a few times. It came with 225' of rode (25 chain/200 rope). We are going to be doing some extended cruising this summer in northern british columbia and I know that a couple of the areas will be in excess of 40ft in depth at high tide.
So I either need to upgrade to get to the 7:1 ratio, or pick some different places to anchor.
I'm looking for any recommendations on the ideal amount of chain (and rope) to add, which would not impact ride.
Thanks, jerry
Buckda posted 07-25-2007 06:37 PM ET (US)
You may be able to get by with what you have plus an inexpensive lunch hook anchor.
Consider adding a 14lb navy anchor at 50 feet danfling from your rode. It may help increase the holding power of your ground tackle in deep or tight situations where a short scope is called for. An exact explaination of this and similar techniques can be found in many cruising guides.
Hope this helps.
Dave
Buckda posted 07-25-2007 07:08 PM ET (US)
That should read "dangling".
The method described above should never be used in when heavy weather is called for - it is not a substitute of lots of scope when you're in for a blow - but at a typically calm, summertime anchorage that just happens to be deeper water than you're used to, or is particularly crowded, it could be a good alternative option.
I also don't think there's too many folks who live hard by the 7:1 rule in the PNW - the deep water probably calls for a 5:1 or even 4:1 scope in many instances. I'll let locals comment on that though!
Good luck.
Dave
Bella con23 posted 07-25-2007 10:30 PM ET (US)
The bottom makeup can makes a big difference as well, but as Dave says 4:1 is possible and that ratio has never let me down even in the "rip" where the bay meets the ocean in my area. We often anchor up bass fishing for hours with waves breaking over the bow and the boat doesn't budge an inch. (I do have an oversized anchor)
7:1 or better is ideal, but not always necessary.
I sleep with one eye open at anchor, but hey - this is Jersey.
defender posted 07-29-2007 12:13 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the responses. Taking the rode down to get another 25ft of chain added. I also don't have a backup anchor or cord for a stern tie, so I'm grabbing those as well. Thanks, jerry
handn posted 07-31-2007 09:18 AM ET (US)
I have a 305 Conquest. I added another 150 foot of rope making 300 feet total. I spliced the new rope to the bitter end of the old one. After a couple of tries, my splice looks salty and goes right through the winch.
I have anchored overnight many times and find the factory anchor works very well.
My proceedure is to let out quite a bit of rode--7 to one and power set the anchor by putting both engines in reverse and reving them to 1500 rpm. If there are no other boats, I leave the anchor. If the anchorage is congested, I reduce the scope to 4 to one. My boat swings more than big boats even with the engines down. With a lot of scope out, the boat covers a lot of ground and I don't want to hear a bump in the night.
Usually, the wind shifts 360 degrees during the night. If I am anchored in sand, the factory anchor stays put and doesn't flip over.
I have marked my rode with colored floss at 50 feet and every 30 feet thereafter.
The first few nights I anchored I was nervous about it and checked the boat frequently for slippage. Now I have more confidence and don't worry even when it blows.
Occasionally, when power setting the anchor, the anchor breaks free and I can feel it bumping along the bottom when I am near the pulpit. I believe that I would feel the anchor bumping along the bottom when I am in the berth because I am close to the bow.
The more chain the better the anchor works. With 25 extra feet of chain your anchor should be a top performer, even with a limited amount of rode.
A good fish finder will tell you if you are anchoring in sand. I don't anchor overnight unless the bottom is sand.
I carry a grapnel rock anchor for fishing but I would be reluctant to trust it overnight because I am not sure how well it would hold in the event of a wind shift.
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-31-2007 09:23 PM ET (US)
In an anchorage, there are two factors determining which way
the boat lies: wind and current. If you have an outboard or
IO down, or any inboard with a rudder, or a sailboat with a
keel, current will usually win. Outboard or IO up, wind will usually win.
What's important is that everyone puts out the same scope, and
is rigged the same, either for current or wind. Since it's
likely that it won't be only ouboards and IOs, put the leg down. All the boats should lie the same way.
To mark your anchor line, assuming it's three-strand twisted,
which it should be (stretchier than braided), the chandlerys
have plastic marks you can weave into the line at 30, 60, 90,
etc. with numbers even your brother-in-law can read. Also,
weave a piece of parachute cord or similar into the line a
couple of feet before the chain so you know the chain is
coming.

Chuck
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-31-2007 10:16 PM ET (US)
Re that 14 pound Navy anchor: You don't need a Navy anchor,
just weight. A cheap mushroom will work, even some scuba
weights and line. And I would put it where the chain
joins the line. If you put it farther up the line, you are
going to be rubbing the line on rocks.

Chuck

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Conquest 305 Anchor Rode upgrade
defender	posted 07-25-2007 06:17 PM ET (US) I have an 2006 305 and we have overnighted on the hook a few times. It came with 225' of rode (25 chain/200 rope). We are going to be doing some extended cruising this summer in northern british columbia and I know that a couple of the areas will be in excess of 40ft in depth at high tide. So I either need to upgrade to get to the 7:1 ratio, or pick some different places to anchor. I'm looking for any recommendations on the ideal amount of chain (and rope) to add, which would not impact ride. Thanks, jerry
Buckda	posted 07-25-2007 06:37 PM ET (US) You may be able to get by with what you have plus an inexpensive lunch hook anchor. Consider adding a 14lb navy anchor at 50 feet danfling from your rode. It may help increase the holding power of your ground tackle in deep or tight situations where a short scope is called for. An exact explaination of this and similar techniques can be found in many cruising guides. Hope this helps. Dave
Buckda	posted 07-25-2007 07:08 PM ET (US) That should read "dangling". The method described above should never be used in when heavy weather is called for - it is not a substitute of lots of scope when you're in for a blow - but at a typically calm, summertime anchorage that just happens to be deeper water than you're used to, or is particularly crowded, it could be a good alternative option. I also don't think there's too many folks who live hard by the 7:1 rule in the PNW - the deep water probably calls for a 5:1 or even 4:1 scope in many instances. I'll let locals comment on that though! Good luck. Dave
Bella con23	posted 07-25-2007 10:30 PM ET (US) The bottom makeup can makes a big difference as well, but as Dave says 4:1 is possible and that ratio has never let me down even in the "rip" where the bay meets the ocean in my area. We often anchor up bass fishing for hours with waves breaking over the bow and the boat doesn't budge an inch. (I do have an oversized anchor) 7:1 or better is ideal, but not always necessary. I sleep with one eye open at anchor, but hey - this is Jersey.
defender	posted 07-29-2007 12:13 PM ET (US) Thanks for the responses. Taking the rode down to get another 25ft of chain added. I also don't have a backup anchor or cord for a stern tie, so I'm grabbing those as well. Thanks, jerry
handn	posted 07-31-2007 09:18 AM ET (US) I have a 305 Conquest. I added another 150 foot of rope making 300 feet total. I spliced the new rope to the bitter end of the old one. After a couple of tries, my splice looks salty and goes right through the winch. I have anchored overnight many times and find the factory anchor works very well. My proceedure is to let out quite a bit of rode--7 to one and power set the anchor by putting both engines in reverse and reving them to 1500 rpm. If there are no other boats, I leave the anchor. If the anchorage is congested, I reduce the scope to 4 to one. My boat swings more than big boats even with the engines down. With a lot of scope out, the boat covers a lot of ground and I don't want to hear a bump in the night. Usually, the wind shifts 360 degrees during the night. If I am anchored in sand, the factory anchor stays put and doesn't flip over. I have marked my rode with colored floss at 50 feet and every 30 feet thereafter. The first few nights I anchored I was nervous about it and checked the boat frequently for slippage. Now I have more confidence and don't worry even when it blows. Occasionally, when power setting the anchor, the anchor breaks free and I can feel it bumping along the bottom when I am near the pulpit. I believe that I would feel the anchor bumping along the bottom when I am in the berth because I am close to the bow. The more chain the better the anchor works. With 25 extra feet of chain your anchor should be a top performer, even with a limited amount of rode. A good fish finder will tell you if you are anchoring in sand. I don't anchor overnight unless the bottom is sand. I carry a grapnel rock anchor for fishing but I would be reluctant to trust it overnight because I am not sure how well it would hold in the event of a wind shift.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-31-2007 09:23 PM ET (US) In an anchorage, there are two factors determining which way the boat lies: wind and current. If you have an outboard or IO down, or any inboard with a rudder, or a sailboat with a keel, current will usually win. Outboard or IO up, wind will usually win. What's important is that everyone puts out the same scope, and is rigged the same, either for current or wind. Since it's likely that it won't be only ouboards and IOs, put the leg down. All the boats should lie the same way. To mark your anchor line, assuming it's three-strand twisted, which it should be (stretchier than braided), the chandlerys have plastic marks you can weave into the line at 30, 60, 90, etc. with numbers even your brother-in-law can read. Also, weave a piece of parachute cord or similar into the line a couple of feet before the chain so you know the chain is coming. Chuck
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-31-2007 10:16 PM ET (US) Re that 14 pound Navy anchor: You don't need a Navy anchor, just weight. A cheap mushroom will work, even some scuba weights and line. And I would put it where the chain joins the line. If you put it farther up the line, you are going to be rubbing the line on rocks. Chuck