Anchor etc.

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dartmoor

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Hi, On my 14ft Voyager I have not yet had cause to use the anchor, as I have to date gone and come back with the tide for my sailing. But next season, I was thinking I should set up the anchor properly.

So, here just wondering whether anyone can advise on optimum length of chain and of rope.

Here are the stats:

Boat 14ft
Weight around 450 kilos
Used on Salcombe Estuary
Anchor - small danforth

Anchorage say minimum depth 2 metre, allow for circa 5m tide on springs. Mud floor.

I don't want to carry more rope and chain than is necessary

Many thanks in expectation
 
it depends how long you want to stop, and if you plan to leave the boat. for a 'lunch hook', 2m of 6mm chain plus 20m 12mm of nylon 3 strand should do. for a bit more pice of mind overnight, make it 10m of chain
 
For a range of 5 metres plus a minimum depth of 2 metres, using a rope warp, you need a scope of at least 5:1. The total rode length therefore needs to be 35 metres. The main function of the chain is to minimise wear on the bottom but this is probably not going to be a major factor, so 5 metres should be ample. 6 mm chain weighs less than 1 kg per metre.
 
I've wondered the same question (or similar) many times. I've a tiny 2kg danforth which is probably sufficient for short stops in soft sand and mud. I always fancied 10m of 6mm chain to guarantee the anchor a better bite...but recent forum theorising has persuaded me that chain's catenary advantage has been vastly over-stated - particularly in little boats where no great length or weight of chain will be carried.

Fine if you anchor somewhere rocky, and the cable risks chafing...otherwise I doubt it makes sense. I'm going to get about 20 meters of 10mm Anchorplait for the Osprey...

...but does anywhere except Jimmy Green sell the stuff? Silly prices there.
 
alahol2 said:
Search 'octoplait' on ebay. Lots of hits.
Click to expand...

Is octoplait the same as Anchorplait? The internet seems to be full of other fora, each laden with rustic fishermen telling mates to use 3-ply, not to waste money on Anchorplait...

"...that be for 'em sof' city folk, 'oo come down furra weeken' and can't 'andle a bitta gritty three-ply runnin' o'er their sof' money-countin' fingers..."

...and just like Margot Leadbetter, I immediately detect that whatever Anchorplait costs, I must have some.

As I understand it, it doesn't become a wretched kinking knotted mass in whatever space you allocate for it. Sounds good to me. :)
 
You understand correctly. It doesn't matter how you coil it or drop it in a heap it never kinks. I'm gradually changing all my mooring lines over to octoplait because it is so kind to my hands.
 
Our marine safety people have legislated that anchors must be carried on all boats. They say a min 3 metres of chain and enough rope to anchor in any likely area. This is a spec for carrying an anchor for safety. It is important to be able to anchor if you get into trouble in a small boat. ie engine failure on mobo or rig failure in sail boat. An anchor can save you from being swept out to sea or onto rocks or shore. So I carry an anchor but havee not put it in the water in many years. Like OP I am an out and back kind of sailor. good luck olewill
 
To add to that keep your anchor in a stern locker if you're sailing singlehanded in a small boat. It's easy and quick to drop if your in trouble or just don't fancy going up front.
 
I think 5m of chain and 30m of 12mm three strand would be the minimum for such a boat. You'll need chain to avoid chafe but also to put a horizontal pull on the anchor - particularly important with lightweight large fluke anchors like the Danforth.
 
I am pretty sure that Anchorplait is just Jimmy Greens version of Octoplait. Its advantage is that it comes with different coloured threads through the strands which makes it easier to splice than normal Octoplait.

Compared to normal 3 strand rope, both are much nicer to handle and don't get knotted up as already mentioned. Well worth the extra cost.


dancrane said:
Is octoplait the same as Anchorplait? The internet seems to be full of other fora, each laden with rustic fishermen telling mates to use 3-ply, not to waste money on Anchorplait...

"...that be for 'em sof' city folk, 'oo come down furra weeken' and can't 'andle a bitta gritty three-ply runnin' o'er their sof' money-countin' fingers..."

...and just like Margot Leadbetter, I immediately detect that whatever Anchorplait costs, I must have some.

As I understand it, it doesn't become a wretched kinking knotted mass in whatever space you allocate for it. Sounds good to me. :)
Click to expand...
 
dartmoor said:
Many thanks everyone - really helpful posts. I am going to go for 5m of 6mm chain, plus 30m anchor rope.

:)
Click to expand...
Found some nice chain I forgot I had in the garage - its 8mm rather than 6mm - but only 4 meters. Would that make a difference, or would that heavier, but shorter chain be ok with 30 m of anchor rope?
 
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