What size Anchor ??

[Mrs Ronnie H]

Hi all
Opinions please on the size anchor for a 5.2 metre boat. I currently run about 3.5 mtrs of chain and an 8lb anchor which I don't think is big enough. Seems to hold ok until we get abit of current in certain places and then we seem to start to drag.
Was thinking of going up to 10lb- 16lb.
What would you guys suggest to be suitable.

Ronnie

[DAVE_S]

Ronnie
I would go length of boat in 8mm chain and a 10 lb danforth or a 15 lb plough anchor .

[Chimo]

Hi Ronnie

Happy New Year!
My advice is that you should take one step at a time and add another 3.5m of cahin to waht you have. At a minimum, rule of thumb is, that the chain needs to be about the same length as the boat. Even if your anchor is a lb or two small longer chain and laying out more warp will hold you.

You should see the tiny reef anchor I use in 125ft to 150 ft of water off the Gold Coast. Mind you I use about 8 m of chain on a 6.2m Vagabond. It has never let go.

Cheers
Chimo

[Lucky_Phill]

Ronnie,

This is a much debated topic and the best person IMO to speak to will be Bill Corten.

But for now.

Firstly you must decide on what anchor you need and you need to know what structure you are anchoring in. IE:- you'll need a different anchor to hold reef than sand or mud.

There are many types of anchors to consider:-

danforth
mushroom
Grapnel
Kedge, Admiralty or Navy
Claw or Bruce
Plow
SARCA

Now, anchor rope length to hold bottom should be at least 3 times the water depth you are in, but for heavy wind or tides... 5 to 1 and boat left unattended 7 to 1 and if in doubt... let more out.

Anchor chain... according to Lloyds of London certification should be at least 1 and half times the length of the boat. ( personally I use 3 meters of ' heavy ' chain only )

The Anchor should weigh at least 1 pound for every foot of boat length. In your case, that would mean about a 16 pound anchor.

IMO.... if you can afford it...... the SARCA anchor range are head and shoulders above every other anchor out there and will do both reef and sand/ mud bottoms.

Other than that, a Danforth anchor for sand/ mud and a Grapnel for reefs.

As you would have noted, I always use a float ball for anchor retrieval in deep waters.

I use a 5 prong ( 10mm ) with about a 500 - 600mm shaft that is lead filled for offshore. The prongs are also only bent at 90 degrees to the shaft, not curled as most people tend to do.

I use a Danforth anchor for sand/ mud situations.

Probably best to use the heaviest anchor you can easily pull up by yourself and compensate with added chain..

Hope this helps......... or confuses !!! ;D 8-) 8-)


LP.
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[Mrs Ronnie H]

Hey Phil
Thanks mate--- If I wasn't confused I definately am now.

And It is on my Q And A list for Bill Corten on Saturday.

Was looking at the Sarca anchors as they are probably better suited to my needs.

My chain is 10ml I think and think there is more than 3.5 metres-- I am going to measure it for sure tomorrow.


You are right that I need an anchor I can comfortably retrieve myself -- its hard to find a good anchor boy these days.

I was looking at a little less chain and perhaps 16lb anchor.
Phil where do I get a 5 prong reef anchor--have only ever seen 4 prongs.

LOL
Ronnie

[Lucky_Phill]

Most chandlery shops should have a 5 but a 4 will do.

below is the anchor system i use for my small tinnie ( ex ) that would hold even shale / rubble bottom. the tinnie was a 4.1mtr.

packed and ready

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/Lucky_Phill/Anchorsystem1.jpg

unpacked

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/Lucky_Phill/Anchorsystem2.jpg

showing the hose clamp i place near the prongs and only bent at about 90 degrees to the shaft.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/Lucky_Phill/Anchorsystem3.jpg

The above is really my offshore rig.


cheers

[Lucky_Phill]

by george, that is a 4 prong one. lol.
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I do have a 5 on Rebait.

[Spin]

I have one here its a 70hp merc ,
should work fine.

[Lucky_Phill]

;D ;D :) :)

yep, the old black anchors........ they work a treat ;)
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[Mrs Ronnie H]

Hey guys
Funny HAHA-- Mercury -- the thought crossed my mind as i was thinking about anchors but no one i know owns one-- even funnier ha ha.;D

Was looking at your setup phil and does the hose clamp stop the separation of the prongs??? Have been meaning to do the lead thing to but always seem to make sinkers instead.

Hey phil on the subject of lead where do i find the moulds for the slugs??? Been looking everywhere and no one has got any. Also need to ask you about that non slip paint on your boat. I know it don't come in purple--what about white.

Ronnie

[Lucky_Phill]

Ronnie,

The hose clamp performs 3 jobs

1. stops the prongs from seperating

2. allows the shaft to be longer

3. creates a shorter prong length which in turn makes the prongs harder to bend.

I cannot find the company that I bought my moulds from. I found the pre-formed stainless steel wires though and pic is below. These are distributed by TACSPO. They are manufactured by Seahorse Fishing tackle.

You are welcome to borrow moulds if you cannot get a hold of them. If you only want one size it takes a long time make 'em and the re are two moulds. 1 makes slugs in 10, 20 and 30gm sizes and the other one makes 40, 65 and 80gm sizes. Pics explain.

Pre-formed wires

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/Lucky_Phill/Lures-wires.jpg

blank, one side of mould.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/Lucky_Phill/Slug-mould-10---30gm.jpg

mould showing wire in place and scattered about.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm246/Lucky_Phill/slug-mould-with-wire.jpg


the non-skid paint

have a squizz here:-

http://www.biasboating.com.au/c-310-deck-paint-aggregate.aspx

also here:-

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=174&item=59532&intAbsolutePage=5

But you could simply apply it as a brush-on two pac and cololured to your specs, you just need to add non-slip ' sand '.

There is also this option..... cleaner, easier, cheaper.

http://www.nonsliptape.com.au/

cheers

LP..
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[DATCOL]

Hi Mrs Ronnie
Have a look at COOPER anchors www.cooperanchors.com.au (http://www.cooperanchors.com.au)
you can buy direct & they send them in a few days
I have one on my 6 M trigull weighs 2+ton
Holds in any conditions sand mud or reef
Cheers COL

[Lucky_Phill]

Had a look Col, they look OK hey ? sort of similar to a SARCA, in that they can be used in most situations ( bottoms ).



Phill

[Bowser]

And you can buy a couple for the price of the Sarca.

Don't skimp on the chain though, the weight of the anchor helps drive it into the ground but if you don't have the weight of a decent length of chain in front of it to keep its angle of attack right and take some of the shock out of the waves then it won't matter a damb if the anchor is 10 or 20 lbs. It will pull as the angle of the rope will change and therefore the direction of pull on the anchor will become steeper. Get your anchor and drag it along the beach, keep the direction of pull low and it will set with ease. Try the same thing pulling the rope at an angle of 45 degrees and it won't set or take forever to do so. If you look at the angles and the mechanics of the anchor it will be easy to see why.

The secret of anchors and anchoring is in the whole not just in the anchor. A good anchor on the same warp will always work the best but if the warp and chain is not let out sufficiently or there is a shortage of chain it will let go at the worst possible time if it sets at all.

[Mrs Ronnie H]

Hi Guys
Had a look also Col and they don't look half bad. Only about a third of the price od a Sarca as well. Will chek them out next time I am redcliffe way-- I understand they stock them over that way.

Phil thanks for the info about the moulds and paint. I only need to do a square of paint about 50 x 30 cms at the rear of the boat. May get it done when the boat goes back to have the paint around the bait tank repaired again. Just had it all repaired as it was bubbling around the screw holes and now it has bubbled and lifted in long creases. Back to the shop to be repaired at no expense to me.

Will keep looking for moulds and if i don't come up with any I may take you up on the offer.

Ronnie