Anchor Info

[Tx49]

A few questions.
1. What is the ratio of total line available to maximum depth at anchorage. Example-If i was going to anchor in 150' deep water, how much line should I expect to have available? 300', 600'?

2. For a 4-5000 pound boat what size and type of rope?

3. Is it feasible to mount an electric winch in the rope locker to use as an anchor "windlass"?

4. What do you call that small deck extension similar to a bowsprit that I would like to use to drop the anchor through?

I am planning my boat layout. I will make the rope/anchor locker whatever it needs to be and place the power wherever it needs to be, and then in between is what I have to work with for storage, helm, cockpit, seating, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[Georgie]

Oh so many questions and Oh so little time...  Unfortunately a few of your answers "depend" on some variables.

1) Recommended anchor line scope should be enough to run 5' of anchor line for every foot of depth anticipated (aka 5:1).  Yes, this is a bit conservative, and also can be shortened if you want to haul additional chain from the depths, but the 5:1 ratio is the rule of thumb for any overnight anchoring.  Anchoring while fishing can be done with much less line b/c you'll be alert and ready to haul and reset if it drags, so 2.5:1 or 3:1 is a bit more common in those applications.

2) 3 strand soft or medium lay nylon is perfect (medium wind is better if you're thinking about a windlass), and probably should be at LEAST 7/16 if not 1/2 inch b/c it's easier on the hands to haul (but each increase in diameter means the line will not lay quite as limply and will take up more space in your anchor locker so keep that in mind..  Here's a link for some decent guidance.   http://www.boatus.com/boattech/articles/anchoring.asp

3) Not sure what you're asking here. What do you mean winch in the locker?  Yes, installation/addition of a windlass on the foredeck is possible.    There are a couple/few really informative threads on the site for windlass retrofits.  Searching for "windlass" in the Discussion or Rebuild threads should yield positive results.

4) Depending on what you want or what you're looking for, the words you'll be searching are "pulpit" and "anchor roller".  Pulpit addition often requires modification of the bowrail so anchor rollers are the more common solution.  Still need to make the same modifications to my 246CCC.

[dburr]

A few questions.
1. What is the ratio of total line available to maximum depth at anchorage. Example-If i was going to anchor in 150' deep water, how much line should I expect to have available? 300', 600'?

rule of thumb is 7 to 1 for good holding and no unplanned tripping.. That ends up being unrealistic in deep water for us..  3 to 1 will be fine in a low swell with the correct anchor for the bottom..

2. For a 4-5000 pound boat what size and type of rope?

http://www.boatsafe.com/marlinespike/safeload.htm Here is a reference for the safe working loads, keep in mind that you are not trying to do a dead lift on the boat so you are not really in need of a SWL of 4000 lbs.  I use 1/2 double braid on my 222 for anchor rode and don't worry.  For dock lines I use 3/8 three strand Dacron  (also known as 21 thread) hard lay.  SWL is rated at like 750

3. Is it feasible to mount an electric winch in the rope locker to use as an anchor "windlass"?

Better off with a lifting ball instead of cobbling together a windless unless you go big and get a purpose built line hauler..

4. What do you call that small deck extension similar to a bowsprit that I would like to use to drop the anchor through?

I believe you are referring to a pulpit..

I am planning my boat layout. I will make the rope/anchor locker whatever it needs to be and place the power wherever it needs to be, and then in between is what I have to work with for storage, helm, cockpit, seating, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Hope that helps..  Rode length, bottom line (no pun intended) is the worry birds will go nuts with less then 7 to 1.  The rest of us will go with less.  You will be in the boat I assume, want to be on top of something and don't want to swing all over the place.  The worst thing that happens without enough scope out is that the anchor will be a PIA to set and trip easily, again, if you are aboard the tripping is not the end of the world.  I don't imagine you want to spent  $1000+ on line nor do you really have space for almost 1000 ft do line..

If you do a search for "windless" you will find at least one relatively current thread about a upgrade that was pretty cool..

Good luck and throw up some pictures

Your a fast typer Ryan  seems our sources may be different or I may be thinking of mooring (ground tackle) numbers..

   

[Blue Agave]

3 to 1 is sufficient.

[Georgie]

Of course, after I wrote that I decided to double check what I've been doing my entire life, and every single article I found referenced a preferred scope of 7:1, so take my advice with a grain of salt.  

[Capt. Bob]

Here's a start on windlass install with pics.
viewtopic.php?p=63070#p63070

Anchor /chain/rope/rode/scope basics (very).
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/an ... -rodes.asp

DIY bow pulpit.
viewtopic.php?p=90615#p90615

Just ideas.

Good luck.

[gran398]

Guys, here's some info we all can use. A few pointers even old salts may not be aware of.



http://www.fortressanchors.com/resources/safe-anchoring-guide

Printable PDF for boat use:

http://www.fortressanchors.com/download ... 2013_F.pdf

[Necessary Evil]

You ought to look into the EZ Anchor Puller as well. Might suit your needs better than a windless.

[Tx49]

Thanks everyone. This is exactly the info I was looking for. I have had a boat before, but it was a 22 ft bowrider Galaxy of California ski/runabout. But we only used it at our lake where we had some land. I had 300 feet of hand pulled line that we used at the same spot every weekend. I wanted to know more this time.  :) . I am going to add a pulpit to my boat, because i want an anchor that is always ready to drop without having to dig it out. And so I can make my kids walk the plank.   :pirat:

I am about to start my build, expect it to take a few years as I don't have full time to work on it and still have 2.5 kids to get through with their college also. I'll start a different thread for the boat build.

[Tx49]

dburr

What is a lifting ball?

[wingtime]

dburr

What is a lifting ball?

Here is a video:

http://youtu.be/JwiNDQW_r08

[Cyclops69]

Also 8 to 10 feet of good chain will help to shorter ratio (3 to 1) work better as it make the pull on the anchor more parallel to the ground and helps to set the anchor initally. Only drawback is the extra weight of the chain and the need to lower the anchor rather than just chuck it over the side so the chain doesn't foul the anchor

[gran398]

Also 8 to 10 feet of good chain will help to shorter ratio (3 to 1) work better as it make the pull on the anchor more parallel to the ground and helps to set the anchor initally. Only drawback is the extra weight of the chain and the need to lower the anchor rather than just chuck it over the side so the chain doesn't foul the anchor

Cyclops, we welcome you to our club....and good observation.

Long chain....you can't throw it without beating the bow of your boat. Take it easy ....Pull up an extra 25 feet or so into the wind/current....DROP the anchor, hand-line out the chain, then the rope, and cleat it off.

 Then "power set" in reverse per the above Fortress link.

Ya'll take an extra look at the Fortress link. Applicable to everyone here, regardless of location.

[dburr]

Here is a video:

http://youtu.be/JwiNDQW_r08

If I EVER drug a chain that way over the gun'nel the Old Man would have left me right there....

Most important thing in the chain/anchor system is the safety wire on the shackle pin and it is as important to check that before getting underway as it is to check the plug before launching....