Quick check on achorage depths in Solent

[gibbowolfie]

I'm about to purchase a new anchor chain & warp. Last one for rib is too short for new boat (and always was!).

Normally I'd not entertain the idea of anchoring in more than 5m of water but with new 23ft'er I'm not sure what would be more useful. I'd get 6 X my anchorage depth but what depth to plan for is good? I'm based in the Solent. Suggestions?

 

[Nick_H]

If you don't plan on going outside the Solent much, and don't want to anchor in deeper water for fishing or the like then i'd say 30 metres min, and can't see you'd need more than 50 metres max. Rope is cheap(ish) so i'd get the 50 metres.

 

[gjgm]

Id suggest there are two reasons for anchoring in a 23ft. Lunch and emergency. At the eastern end of the Solent, I dont think I ve seen that many anchoring in more than 5m.. in fact most are probably in 3m-given the tides and maybe 6 hour lunch is excessive! the one place I ve come across than can drag regularly is in the strong flows in chichester harbour if your over mud. I m sure a different anchor would suit, but other than that,25-30m warp/chain does me 95pct of the time.
bear in mind you have to get the thing up again!

 

[Solitaire]

Look on a chart and consider the areas you are most likely to visit. Osbourne Bay, Priory Bay, Whiteclife Bay etc. Unlikely that you will need more than 50 metres chain and warp. 35 should be enough. I would suggest that you put 10 metres of chain on though - you don't say if you have a windless which will also be relevant, but you are still going to need at least 7 metres of chain.

With the exception of the shipping channels where anchoring is not allowed anyway, I doubt you'll ever anchor in more than 5 metres.

 

[gibbowolfie]

Yes emergencies aside 5m still sounds about right then.

The anchor locker isn't huge and no windlass (sheer luxury on 23ft <grin>). I'll see if I can get 10m of chain in there with the anchor tho'. It's not a lot more for 50m over 30 and they have them ready in that combination. Gives me that bit of extra as an option.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Steve.

 

[gjgm]

dont know how much chain you had before.. or who is going to be pulling it up.. but if its wifey dont expect her to be able to lift 10m of chain plus and anchor.The only time you might need that much chain (emergency aside maybe) is when there s quite a pull, and more often than not is then so choppy it aint much fun at anchor in 23ft anyway!! I 'd go for a little less chain and a little more rope to make life easier. At worst, you may have to put the beer down and reset once in a very rare while. Heaving tons of chain up every time you anchor is going to pee someone off fairly fast. I m assuming we re just talking about leisurely lunchtime here, not anchoring overnight in F5..

 

[Nick_H]

can't see you'd want to limit yourself to lunchtime stops only. There are some great overnight anchorages in the Solent and to really enjoy them you need to be confident of your ground tackle holding if it blows up a touch.

 

[Solitaire]

The length of chain should at least be equal to boat length, and 6mm chain will do fine. I had a danforth with 35 metres of chain and warp on my 23ft boat. It was more than adequate in the Solent. Bought the SWMBO some good gloves to do the old heave ho bit - worked a treat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[[2068]]

I found 10m chain plus lots of line worked reasonably well for the 24ft'er. It isn't often that you are supporting the weight of all the chain and the anchor unless you've anchored somewhere deep: mostly the "pull" is moving the boat against any current or breeze, hence maybe not a huge difference between 5m and 10m chain.

Saying that, swmbo still used to curse every time she had to pull it up.

dv.

 

[davedpc]

Just watch out for Newtown Creek where most boats packed together ride at different bearings due to hull shape [tide] or superstructure [windage]. On a busy bank holiday usually helped by a spring ebb tide you will soon get to understand what they mean by the nocturnal 'pyjama games' Dave.

 

[gibbowolfie]

Thanks guys feel a lot more confident about what I should get. I was talking lunchtimes but don't want to limit myself to that.

 

[duncan]

[ QUOTE ]
I was talking lunchtimes but don't want to limit myself to that.


[/ QUOTE ] good!

don't forget to allow for friendly rafters - have often ended up in Newtown Creek with a 37ft on one side and a 26 on the other overnight........... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As said total 50m; 40m 12mm anchorplait / 10m 6mm chain and (personal view) a 6kg Delta anchor to complete the package would be my suggestion based on the requirements outlined. This gives around 12kg max to be hauled up, less in water shallower that 10m which should be fine to handle.

looking forward to meeting you out on the water in due course