Chrysler Sailors Forum

I opt for as large an anchor as I can reasonably handle. I forget how large mine is on my 26', but 5 pounds sounds very light. For chain, I go with boat length in feet. If you only have four feet of chain, that is part of your problem. The chain is critical for keeping the pull on your anchor horizontal.

My Dansforth is 15# I think and I have no problem getting a good hold in the muddy bottom of the St. Johns. Definitely sounds to light. I have about as much chain as you do but a little more can't hurt.

My mooring anchor was created using five plowing disks separated by one foot concrete spacers. The weight was around 400 lbs and the disks had much more depth than a danforth anchor.

When I had my "disaster" this month, that mooring anchor had dragged over 300 ft towards the shore.

In all honesty, I have no idea what a "safe" anchor is.

I will place my spare danforth anchor about 300 ft beyond my mooring anchor with lots of chain rode attaching them together. Even if the mooring anchor drags once again, my danforth will "kick in" and hopefully keep by boat away from the shore.

Rode should be a minimum of a 5 to 1 ratio, with lots of chain.

I think I got an anhor like yours, it came withe the Mac. It is good for nothing, key word hear is ( Style ). Get a Danforth ( S 920 ) an 6' of chin, an try agin. Happy Sailing

This is a 13lb anchor meant for a 35 foot boat





and its not that it didn't hold real well the night it got bent as we had to anchor out there in rough water but I think we are going even bigger just because. We had another small one out as well but it failed to stay set.

My next anchor will be adding a Manson Supreme as my main anchor and then keep one of my Danforths as back up or secondary if I need it.

My mooring anchor is a 44lb bruce with 20 ft of 3/4" chain. On the boat I use a 20lb CQR from the bow and have a 16lb bruce for a lunch hook.

I'm going to try to build a 44 lb Shank scoop anchor.

I'm actually looking at either the manson supreme or rocna 10.
Does anyone here have any personal experience with either.
From what I've read and see on internet videos they look awesome.
I know it's kinda stupid but the rocna kinda looks cooler/more stylish and for that reason I might be willing to spend the extra.

Adam

Hi Trev,
there are a few things that come to my mind when I read your original post.

Remember when you drop anchor do it bow to the wind or bow to the current whichever is stonger.

Next, when you are lowering your anchor you should let it out hand over hand while your crew backs the boat slowly down wind/current.
This will allow the anchor to set properly on the bottom without the chain fouling it.

As you let out anchor rode remember to continue to back up slowly. When you have the proper rode out and 80' rode in 10' of water should be fine.

Once the rode is out cleat it firmly to a bow cleat. Maks sure the rode is either going through a bow roller ot the chocks on the front of your C22.

As you continue to back down and your anchor rode is tied off, your boat will suddenly weather vain off the anchor as the anchor rode is pulled tight. You will feel the anchor "catch" the bottom and your C22 will come to a stop even though you are in reverse. Now remember you are not going for the lands speed record in reverse however as you back down and the anchor catches you need a bit more throttle than just idle. Not a lot but defintately more than just an idle.

OK then now your anchor has bit the bottom or it is set properly, you ease off the throttle and take the engine out of gear. Notice your boat will slip forward towards the anchor a bit as the weight of your anchor rode sinks. This is very obvious if there is not or little wind and current.


So now your are sitting there in your boat, motor off and you are nervous. Am I moving? did I just drift? Hey, am I still in the same spot??

A few things to remember and think about. if the wind/current picks up a little, the drag from your boat in the wind will pull your anchor rode tighter thus lifting it thus making it appear your C22 is drifting backwards! Be very aware and watch carfully! You may or may not be drifting. Watch carefully.

Another thing to be aware of. You dropped 80' of line in ten feet of water. Thats great however you will have about a 140' diameter of drift circle around your anchor!!!! If the wind shifts, you could move a LONG ways and yet still be anchored! Not a huge deal unless you anchored around other boats!!! Since you run a mostly rope anchor rode, you will tend to swing around your anchor more than if you had more chain.

You should check your anchor size relative to your boat with the anchor manufacturer recommendations. Anchor weight is a factor however there are many other factors involved in holding power. If you are buying a new anchor I'd go with the manufacturer's recommendations and then go up one size. On smaller boats I prefer 10-20 feet of chain plus lots of anchor line.

Next time you go sailing and the wind gods will not cooperate, and we've all been there, don't waste the day! Practice anchoring over and over again. Once you get the feel of an anchor biting the bottom, you'll not likely forget. It will do you wonders for your confidence. Also should you drop anchor and she does not bite, you will KNOW it did not bite because you have practiced and you know what it feels like!!


Lastly,
NEVER yell at your crew when anchoring. NEVER. Especially NEVER if your crew is your spouse!!!! It does not matter how good your ententions are. When you yell it IS missinterpreted by your crew AND everyone else in the anchorage!! As an old school water skier, my wife and I have adapted hand signals. I'm on the bow and she is at the helm. I can signal what I need without a word. Does not matter if it is blowing hard or dead calm. She can understand and react to my request. We pride ourselves in coming into and anchorage and NOT disturbing others. One of the better compliments I've received was when a fellow crusier rowed over and was amazed that we had come in, dropped anchor and had been set for a while and he did not even notice! When you are anchored, watch other boats. You will see well seasoned sailors and sailors not so seasoned. Learn from them both!!

Scott

PS:
I offer an open invitation to ANY Chrysler Forum member to go out and practice anchoring. Yeah, I know, you're a lurker and wondering does he mean Me? The answer is YES. That means you. I live in Everett Washington and have a very nice Chrysler 22 to practice on. Just PM me here on the forum! EE, you'll have to fly in for this one! LOL! Alan? Billy?

69Shark wrote:EE, you'll have to fly in for this one! LOL!

Hey, it's on our list ! The redhead has deemed a trip home as a must do,

For now though I'm anchored to this desk.

Thank you for that great write up Scott. I was motoring in reverse while letting the anchor out and did everything else just as you listed, the anchor just would not grab. I was expecting an increase and shift in the wind, that's why I let 80' out and had plenty of room for the boat to swing.

I picked up a new 20' chain and am going to look at new anchors as the manufacturer lists mine for up to a 20' boat and I am guessing that would be more on the lines of a fishing boat that does not have such a high profile.

Sounds like you did well then.

More chain will give the anchor a better chance at hooking up.
Also, what is the bottom like plant wise?
Up here we have eel grass that likes to foul a Danforth style anchor.


Scott

Here we have eel grass too in some areas and it sounds like Trev's anchor is a little light for the boat and Danforth does not work with rock or grassy bottoms it can feel like it set if you tug on the rode but as the boat pulls on it it will slip or pull the grass out. I have 2 15lb. danforth and am looking forward to getting a plow for a main and keep danforth as a second.

The bottom is primarily muck or sand with a few areas of gravel, not much for vegetation.