Anchoring

MrJohn · Post by **MrJohn** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:43 pm

I've noticed that there are a few Gulf water people here. We will be doing several Middle Grounds trips annually. Water depth is 21 to 26 fathoms. Will 20 to 30 feet of chain and 300 feet of anchor rope be sufficent for overnight anchoring? I know the old 7 to 10 feet of rode per foot of water, but that is a bit excessive IMHO. Any tips are much appreciated.[:)]

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:27 pm

That is only 2-1 i would not trust that for overnight .I am sorry to say i would go with 600 min. however the problem is that our anchor lockers do not hold much so you may have to go with thinner rode.

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:26 pm

Lots of chain (30-50 feet) is as almost good as lots of line, in my opinion. The weight of the chain will keep the pull on the anchor in the right direction, unless it starts blowing really hard. I've never been able to sleep without the anchor drag alarm on though, in any case or anchor configuration Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:01 am

When we anchor up it is usually to chuck overnight, someone competent is always awake and watching for anchor drag. If one of my 2 competent fishing crew members isn't there - I dont sleep. If they are, I sleep. Anyway - we switched from 6 to about 20 feet of chain last year and have not had a problem since and we rarely use the 7 or 10-1 ration. Usually we are around 5-1 in about 100-200 ft of water

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:10 am

I use 3/8 line with 12 ft of chain. The set-up is 3 to one. I carry 1800 ft of rope when I go chunking. We have anchored in 600ft in 4 to 6 ft seas with a 20 to 25 kt wind and held fine. Berts love that rough water anchoring. Gotta have that drift alarm or no one is comfortable. Mike

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:57 pm

I believe that the anchor well on a 1977 FBC is deeper than on the newer models. I have no problem with 300' of 9/16ths rode in there. I ALSO still have the original 200' of 1/2" rode from the original Danforth anchor still in the well as one backup anchor. Under the cockpit I also carry a 22lb Bruce as a backup with another 300' of rode. Al

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:08 am

No wonder you can only cruise at 16-17 knots. I think you're boat needs to go on a diet. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

MrJohn · Post by **MrJohn** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:43 am

I'm going to equip the Miss Missy with a Lewmar sportfish 700 free fall windlass. I think Rissa might get a tad upset, hand pulling in all of the rode that'll be necessary.[:D]

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:20 pm

My personal preference would be to upgrade to the next larger size windlass as well as upscaling whatever anchor you end up choosing. Don't know if in your waters you have anything similiar to our lobster trawls. A trawl could have anywhere from 5 > 10 traps on one line spaced about 25' apart. If you snag a trawl in 100' + of water you will have to lift a LOT of weight. Been there, done that. I installed the SL 900FF on NITES OFF. I purchased a SL wiring kit from Consumers Marine. It came with all wire needed, as well as the connectors. The kit had 72' of 1/0 wire plus the 14/3 to run from the helm to the anchor well. Needed almost every foot of the 1/0. Al

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:16 pm

Doug... An old timer was showing me around his boat a few years ago.. I saw a largish Danforth on his bow, and a second stowed in his fwd cabin.. then a third even larger under his cockpit. I asked why he bothered to carry the third large one? His simple answer... "It ain't going to do me a damn bit of good in my garage!" Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:46 pm

Doug, Try drifting in 4 > 6' seas in the middle of RI Sound on a drift towards Portugal with your anchor line wrapped around your prop & your backup anchor only has about 100' of rode on it & the water is about 100' deep. Another occasion we had been diving off Satan Rock & a squall came through. In the space of 5 minutes we swung through a few 360s & once again wrapped the rode around around the prop. Hadn't even started the motor yet & we were moving real fast towards Halfway Rock. Once again the water was to deep for the backup anchor to catch. Less than a 1/4 mi. from the Rock we managed to catch on a lobster trawl & that stopped us. Granted, both occasions were on a single screw outdrive, but they taught me to try & be prepared for the unexpected. Al

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:19 pm

I still think you could lose some weight! Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:33 pm

Just because you lost 25 lbs. doesn't mean you have to get personal. Al P.S. Maybe we'll catch up with you & Betsy on Sunday or Monday.

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:01 am

In talking about the windlass, I have been searhing high and low for one that has the drum on in with the deck switch. Anyone have any input here? Mike

michael · Post by **michael** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:43 am

I just came back from a trip on wednesday night. Tried anchoring in 460' of water.Looked like every pot from Toms to the Carteret were taken.I have 2000' of 1/2"rpoe with 30' of 3/8" chain and the anchor would not hold. Was a sleepless night. The wind was around 10-15 kts. What size anchor do you guy's use. My anchor is a danforth style which I believe weighs 25lbs. Do I need to go to a 40lb anchor. Thanks Michael 33sf