Mataji
Well-Known Member
Just bought a narrow boat on the canals and will be heading for the Thames at Lechlade. What’s the best type of anchor for the Thames? As it won’t be used much (if at all) I’d prefer something that folds for storage.
Anchor for Thames
- Thread starter Mataji
- Start date
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Danforth type? It folds flat. The Fortress is an excellent example manufactured in aluminium so it is light and easy to handle. Good in soft mud bottoms, it’s weak point is resetting on change of direction of pull but I guess you won’t be in tidal waters so not an issue?
Pump-Out
Well-Known Member
Mud weight.
Compact, easy to deploy and recover.
Ideal for the upper reaches.
Compact, easy to deploy and recover.
Ideal for the upper reaches.
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Interesting. I’ve heard of their use on the Broads but not elsewhere. Will a mud weight secure a boat against the river current?
jaminb
Well-Known Member
rond anchor. If you are swinging around you will block the river in a narrow boat
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Danforth forward and mud weight aft? Shouldn‘t swing far in a constant river current? I’ve successfully anchored that way in the river Villaine just north of La Roche Bernard.
Pump-Out
Well-Known Member
That's a piece of string question, I m afraid.
At the moment the Thames is a series of 45 stagnant lakes, so a mud weight of suitable weight would be fine. Evidently, as the stream increases, any ground tackle needs to be upgraded, By the time the river is running well, you will want to be alongside anyway.
If you are concerned, and I don't criticise anyone for being cautious, get two weights. You then have the opportunity to put two forward, either in parallel or series, or one for'rad and one aft; dynamic decision to be made in the light of your chosen anchorage and stream strength at the time.
I am not a narrow-boat type, but have seen many of you fellow owners sporting mud weights on the Thames.
Mud weights are not appropriate for the tidal reaches, obvs.
Up at Lechlade, currently (poor pun) your biggest issue will be to find water to float in!!
Mataji
Well-Known Member
It’s an aluminium narrow boat so draws less than 2 feet. An anchor is mandatory on the Thames, for use in case of engine failure. Would a mud weight be sufficient to actually stop a boat? The fortress sounds better, with about 5m of chain.
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I agree, I wouldn’t rely on a mud weight.
Outinthedinghy
Well-Known Member
I'd go for a Danforth. The question of where to store it and preventing damage to the boat is obviously relevant. They fold flat which is good.