Beginners guide to anchors please?

[Pentiller]

My partner and I have just bought our first boat and are bringing it down from the broads to Bristol marina. Its a 34 foot broads cruiser, and we intend to sail it up towards Bath.

It doesn't presently have an anchor, as they don't tend to need them on the broads. But as we will be moving it to a tidal river I think it would be a good idea. Could anybody give me a head start on what sort of anchor they would suggest? length of chain/rope etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[activesail]

Hi. I am not an expert on anchors but there must be a variety of models suitable for the size of boat you have.

Why not have a look at a Chandlers site? here is one which I find helpful: http://www.force4.co.uk/

Cheers Martin.

 

[Sneds]

Hi and Welcome

I would go for a plough type anchor in case you need to stop in a hurry, ie engine fails and you are heading towards a wier!
An achor often used for a muddy river bed a just like a big weight, not sure what they're called and rely on them sinking in the mud to hold you.
Regards chain length, 6-10m should be ample to cope with the depth of river.
Remember, to much is better than not enough.

Cheers

 

[sarabande]

without knowing the details, especially the displacement, of your new boat, it's hard to give precise advice.

try the Jimmy Green website for technical details:-

http://www.jimmygreen.co.uk/technical

If you look on eBay, you can see all kinds and weights of anchors available. Nothing wrong with them, but do make sure you buy a genuine item, and not a cheap copy.

Where are you going to moor near Bath ? British Waterways ?

 

[graham]

Welcome to the BC forum

Greetings, I think you are wise getting an anchor ,may save you drifting into trouble should the engine ever fail .

A danforth anchor usually holds well in mud and has the advantage that it stows flat so doesnt take up much room .anchor choice is a personal thing and boat owners are very loyal to their anchors so expect differing advice none of which will be wrong but the choice is yours.

As someone else said some chain between the anchor and the anchor rope is a good idea, 8 mm will do.Generally the length of anchor rope/chain should be at least 5 times the depth of water in total. Check chandlers websites for recommended anchor weights for your size of boat but for river use I think about 25 lb would be OK.

12 or 14 mm diameter 3 strand nylon warp will do as an anchor line for river use.

Look forward to hearing more about your boating adventures. Cheers graham

 

[Pentiller]

Thanks for all the advice. Its been really helpful. We have gone for a plough in the end. But still deciding on whether to get a chain or rope. We will set off tomorow on our first cruise. Wish us luck!

 

[SAMYL]

Thanks for all the advice. Its been really helpful. We have gone for a plough in the end. But still deciding on whether to get a chain or rope. We will set off tomorow on our first cruise. Wish us luck!

It's usually wise to have a few yards of chain on the anchor to help keep the shaft down on the bottom so the anchor will dig in. Rope would then be ok from that for river use but I would suggest chain if you are in some exposed tidal area.

 

[Csail]

Also better to have two anchors. I would get a CQR and a plough.

 

[Alcyone]

Whilst on the subject, I'm delighted with our Delta anchor we bought on here second hand last year. 6Kg, sets first time and it takes some digging out sometimes.

I only dragged the CQR once, at Porlock, but it took a few times to set on a number of occasions. No expert, and still haven't used it as much as we used the CQR, but very impressed so far.

 

[Pigpen]

My partner and I have just bought our first boat and are bringing it down from the broads to Bristol marina. Its a 34 foot broads cruiser, and we intend to sail it up towards Bath.

It doesn't presently have an anchor, as they don't tend to need them on the broads. But as we will be moving it to a tidal river I think it would be a good idea. Could anybody give me a head start on what sort of anchor they would suggest? length of chain/rope etc.

Thanks in advance

How are you "bringing it down" - road, coastal or canal? Motor, Sail or
a bit of both? I presume you have already got a "Mud Lump" (or whatever
they are called) mentioned by another on the forum. Do you have a
windlass (with gypsy)?
Your anchor size/weight depends on the total drag (wind and tide) you
expect on your boat and they are basically functions of displacement
(tide) and above-water cross-sectional-area (normally viewed from the bow).
Then you add a bit for the unexpected and a bit more for good luck.
The anchor type depends on the nature of the bottom you expect to
grab a hold of. Generally speaking a plough (CQR is one type, there are
other brands available!) is easy to obtain, not too expensive and easy
to handle (but watch the sharp bit - you and your boat!)
How strong are you? You need some chain, the more and heavier, the
better. I'm 67 (only just) and in still water with little wind I can weigh,
by hand, a 35 lb CQR and 30 metres of 8mm chain with little sweat and no distress. Thats on a 33 foot boat with a high freeboard and displacing
about 7 tonnes.
If I need a longer scope I use rope as required to give the total length of rode needed for the depth, tide and weather.
You dont say where you live. Visit your local harbour, marina, etc and
have a look for your type of boat and sneak a peek at the gear. If
there's anyone on board - Ask them.

PS you need a spare which need not be as heavy or the same type
or have the same amount of chain but you do need a spare.

Give us more info and someone (or three) will come up with several
answers, hopefully with some general agreement.
Doug