Anchor Chain and Line

[markm]

How much anchor chain and line do most folks have on the R-21. I am going to the San Juans and want to be properly equipped.

Thanks

Mark

 

[johnniethek]

I am using what came with my R-21EC in the bow: 150 feet of 3/8" rode and 25 feet of chain.

For my stern anchor, I have 100 feet of 3/8" rode and about 10 feet of chain.

I'll be out in the San Juans from July 8-18 and again after Aug. 7 for about two weeks. Maybe we'll "bump" into each other if we haven't got the right anchor gear. 🙂

JtheK

 

[CaptMac]

I don't have a 21, but the amount of anchor rode should be determined by the depth of the water where you plan to anchor. I used to carry 300 feet - which let me anchor in 40 ft of water (7:1 scope - water depth + tide + bow height). Typically I only put out a 5:1 scope when anchoring in crowded (but protected) anchorages, but have dragged in Reid Harbor - even with a 7:1 scope. I have now increased to 400 feet - for either deeper water - or 10:1 scope when needed.

We're heading up to the San Juans & Gulf Islands July 12th for a couple of weeks. I hope we can wave as we go by!

Mac

 

[Lobo]

My ten cents worth on anchors. West Marine "advisor" says 1/8" of line for every 7' of boat. That's 3/8" line for the R21 or R25, but I have 250' of 1/2" line plus 40' of chain on my R25. In the San Juans and Gulf Islands for the past 20 years on my previous boats I've always had 200' line, 40' chain and never yet had to pay it all out. I do have -- and often use -- a KELLET. This is a 10 lb downrigger ball that I have on a 1/4" line that, after anchoring, I allow to slide down the anchor line to lie near the chain & line joint. This significantly multiplies the holding power due to it's weight. It helps keep the chain on the ground which is where your safety is. This also allows you to use less scope in crowded anchorages in decent conditions. In bad conditions, use scope and kellet and life is much better. I have enough line on the kellet so that I can cleat it to the boat, but if it was deeper, I would attach the line to a fender and toss the whole shebang overboard. I have a snap shackle on my kellet and hook it onto the anchor line as well as the ring in the anchor locker so it doesn't go walkabout.

I am getting a second anchor line in the next week. I'm torn between 150' of 3/8" line and 20' of chain or pretty well a duplicate of what I have now. I'll probably go for the 1/2" line -- I guess my boat is worth the extra $50. My second anchor is a Fortress, which is able to be disassembled and makes storage easier. My primary anchor is a 10kg Rochna, the New Zealand anchor. I'm loving it.

Dave
"Lobo"

 

[j&lgray]

In our 20 years of boating the San Juans in two sailboats and two powerboats, we have been quite happy with 150 feet of 3/8" line and 25 feet of chain on a 13 lb. Danforth anchor. We always anchor is less than 30 feet using a 5:1 ratio. For the Inside Passage next year, we will up it to 250 feet of rode. We carry a spare plow anchor with 10 feet of chain and 120 feet of 3/8" line.

 

[CaptMac]

Yep - it is all about how much anchoring you will do, and how deep. We found that when cruising in isolated places, we could almost always find shallow water, but when getting to crowded areas - we prefered to anchor farther out and avoid the mayhem.

After our last cruise, we decided we wanted to be able to anchor in 50 feet based on the places we wanted to go. I agree - that's deep for standard anchoring....

Mac