What size anchor?

[doug748]

Thanks for all the advice. ....

This board certainly has a wealth of knowledge - and quick too

Yes, shutting people up is the main problem.

Just so as to prove my point; here I go. You could wait till the Boat Jumble season and see what turns up.

Most anchors over 10lbs would do the job as would any reasonable mix of size, and length, of chain and rope. As already mentioned; I would not go below 1/4in for the chain or 10mm for the rope.
I would avoid Bruce copies. Because they are cast, you are at the mercy of whatever alloy was in the pot on a given day, some of it proven to be very brittle.
PS
Real Bruce anchors are fine - you will see "Bruce" cast into the side of the shank.

 

[Stemar]

A wee while ago, someone asked "How will I know if my ground tackle is heavy enough?" One, only slightly tongue in cheek, reply was, "When everyone else in the marina's laughing at you!"

Some anchors don't seem to scale down too well I had a 25lb CQR for my 24 footer that never let me down. When I lost it (long story) I got a 20lb replacement and I never could get it to set properly. My 22lb Delta almost always sets first try and seems to be quite happy when the tide turns.

Whatever you get, the bigger the better and the more and heavier chain the better. Just remember you have to pull it up and stow it!

Choice of anchor's up to you. I have a Delta and sleep well at anchor. If you're brave, [Nomex suit on] try a Rocna. Need to be rich, too.

 

[vyv_cox]

if you're even only vaguely contemplating spending just one single night at anchor, then I'd advise something bigger than those generally being suggested, particularly if you're going with a mainly rope rode (probably a better option on something that size). Within the parameters of what you can securely stow, go for the biggest anchor you can comfortably handle: Anchors, dairy cows and prop-forwards - a good big-un will beat a good little-un every tiime!

I agree. The OP's intention now may be to potter about a few miles from home but as skill and experience grow the passages will extend further afield and the desire for good overnight anchoring tackle will increase. There is a limit of course on a small boat but it's not that long since people at my club, NWVYC, were cruising from Anglesey to Scotland, Northern Ireland and IOM in 17 ft boats. Buying the minimum anchor gear now may mean buying more in 12 months' time.

 

[Boathook]

Oh dear - perhaps this might be a 5 pager!

Only 3 so far .........

To give an answer though the biggest anchor that you can stow / lift and at least 8m of suitable chain and then rope. I suspect that others may disagree.

 

[VicS]

FWIW my 19ft Sea Wych has a 15lb CQR clone and 90 ft of 1/4" chain
Both supplied as original equipment.

Never had any problems with the anchor holding.

The weight of the chain is an important consideration in a small boat. In my case I have what was recommended and the boat trims correctly with that weight in the bow.

 

[dleroc]

Is that right - 90 feet of chain? I might need to remortgage the house and get the wife to lift it.

 

[sailorman]

Is that right - 90 feet of chain? I might need to remortgage the house and get the wife to lift it.

will the Sailfish carry all that weight in the bows

 

[VicS]

Is that right - 90 feet of chain? I might need to remortgage the house and get the wife to lift it.

Yes 90 ft ( 15 fathoms, ) but it is only 1/4".
Together with the 15lb plough anchor it cost £58.85.

I used to be able to lift the whole lot !
All chain might be too heavy for a Sailfish but the Sea Wych is designed to take the weight. If fact additional ballast was recommended to correct the trim if rope was used rather than chain.

6mm chain is 0.79kg per metre. A 30m length weighs 24 kg

 

[charles_reed]

As VicS says, even 8 mm is probably strong enough. However, bear in mind that you might be hauling it in by hand with a good force of wind blowing against you. The heavier the rope, the more comfortable it will be. Anchorplait is perhaps the most comfortable and it doesn't harden with age like three-strand does. Barry Edwards of Boatropes sells doublebraid for the purpose, which I have found to be pretty good also.

I do wish it were true - after 20 years anchorplait is hard as old nails.

 

[vyv_cox]

I do wish it were true - after 20 years anchorplait is hard as old nails.

Mine is 15 years old and as soft as the day it was bought. Helps to wash it in fresh water occasionally.

 

[windpipe]

Simple, the bigger the better.