Anchor size

[tlkski]

We have a brand new R29 (2020). It comes with a 10 kilo (22 pound) anchor. We are in Kachemak Bay Alaska and locals are advising us to have a 16 kilo anchor. My question is whether the chain and rope that came from the factory is adequate for a larger anchor? We have rocky bottoms and large tides here.

 

[Toucan]

If your chain in 5/16 High test and rode 5/8" nylon, it is plenty strong enough. If you have 50 feet of chain, you might want a longer chain if it will fit in the in the locker. That said, we spent several months in southeast Alaska and B.C. using the stock chain and rode with a Rocna anchor one size up from the stock Claw

Barry Thompson
Toucan, R-27 Classic

 

[Wee Venture]

We upgraded to the Rocha 15 which fit perfectly on our bow roller. The chain (5/16”) and rope rode as supplied are plenty strong IMO but you might want to consider a longer total length on your rode. We went with 100’ of chain and 200’ rope for a total 300’ rode. We got up to Skagway last summer which is about at your latitude and there were a couple of times when we deployed the entire 300’.

John

 

[ALICE J]

I tend to error on the conservative side and tend to go heavy on anchors. I cruised from Prince Rupert to Sitka and back a few years ago and found that 300 feet of rode was necessary because a few times I was forced to anchor in 50 feet of water. (quite a surprise to a fellow used to anchoring in the Bahamas in 10 feet. I have R27 2011 and have equipped her with 100' of 5/16" chain and 200' of 8 plait line. I have found that sometimes I am forced to use short scope and glad for the extra weight. I also found that when anchoring bow and stern, I can let out the 300' of the main rode and drop back and drop the fortress 23 with 150' of 1/2" eight plait line, then pull forward, centering the boat in the middle. I tried using the factory 5/8' line but found that it did not have enough stretch and jerked the fortress out of sand/grass due to adverse wind and current creating jerking waves. Perhaps a sentinel would provide a cushioning, but I settled on the 1/2" line and it has worked well.

 

[scross]

You have the same weight anchor we have on our R-25 Classic. The 10 kg anchor and 50 ft of chain and 200 ft of 8 plait rode works fine for us. If I owned a R-27 or R-29 in the PNW I would go with a 15 kg or even up to a 20 kg anchor for the R-29. As big as what will fit without significant modifications.
More 5/16” chain never hurts. The 8 plait 5/8” rode seems to lay down and fit better in the anchor locker than the 3 strand rode did. You could always use the stock factory anchor and rode as an emergency set-up! Our emergency anchor is a folding Mantus 11.5 kg.

 

[knotflying]

Chain and scope trump anchor size. You can always get a larger anchor, but if you have more chain it aids in the anchor remaining set because it will lay flat on the bottom for a longer distance. Adding scope will also allow the chain to lay flatter on the bottom. Think about it, try pulling an anchor out laterally rather than vertically. The chain will add weight and be a longer lateral pull. 5/15 chain will weigh about one pound per foot. Longer chain will far outweigh additional anchor weight.

 

[serpa4]

I'm looking to buy a used C30.
It has the factory setup of 22lb anchor, 50'HT, and 200 rode.
If I upgrade anchors, Mantus/Spade, what is better? More rode or more anchor weight?
Above states scope and rode are more important. I'll be Florida/Bahamas, not Alaska.
5/15 chain will weigh about one pound per foot.
So going to a 12-14 lb heavier anchor is about the same weight as 14' of chain. I'd think to keep the cutwater C30 semi planning hull light, a 12lb anchor would still hold better than adding 12' of chain.

According to Spade anchor, an
X60 anchor at 21lbs is good for 24' boat and 4850 lbs.
X80 anchor at 33lbs is good for 41' boat and 14,300 lbs.
X100 anchor at 44lbs is good for 52' boat and 26,450 lbs.

I think it would be better to have 10lbs heavier anchor than 10-12' of extra 5/16 HT chain.
Is my thinking wrong? I'm an armature, thoughts please.

 

[jrnunezmd1]

I live in the Florida, the intracostal is calm, but sometimes you will find wind betwen 30 and 40 mph, and you will want a heavy anchor. I change my claw 5kg for a Delta 10kg, this made a big difference, and sleep better in the anchorage. In this situation bigger is better.

 

[knotflying]

I would say you are fine with the chain and rode you have for east coast anchoring. If I were going to change anchors I would go with a Mason Supreme or a Rocna. Both are similar. My Manson Supreme is a 30 pound. One night it was put to the test. Winds of about 25 and seas up to about 2 feet. We did not budge an inch, but never slept!

 

[ALICE J]

Last year in the Bahamas, anchored at Sale Cay, winds predicted at 30-40, it blew 60+. Fetch was about 1/3 mile, but short steep waves of 3+ feet, water was about 4-5 feet deep, the bottom was mud/clay scope was about 120 feet. I had a nylon snubber, but the chain was almost straight out, not laying on the bottom (about 75' of chain was out). I released the snubber and let out the full measure of 100 feet of 5/16 chain and another 20 feet of 5/8" plaited line. The boat rode easier and the chain was mostly on the bottom. The anchor was set deep, took a while to retrieve it. Take away: I don't regret big anchors, 100' of chain is good, snubbers work but check for chafe, be certain of the bottom and how the anchor sets, scope is your friend, and an areometer give you bragging rites at docktails :lol:

 

[BB marine]

I think it would be better to have 10lbs heavier anchor than 10-12' of extra 5/16 HT chain.
Is my thinking wrong? I'm an armature, thoughts please.

I'm not an anchor expert so take this for what it's worth. For all our anchoring which is midwest and river systems and some coastal (limited coastal with the Cutwater) I plan on a lot more this year. The 50' of chain and the small factory installed Bruce style anchor worked fine. We normally had to work at setting the bruce but once set, we never had an issue. We also never had a story of high winds and steep waves in a anchorage. I had read many reviews about different anchors and found more negative about the smaller Bruce style anchors and many good reviews about the Manson and Rocna. I also have friends that do have stories about high wind and steep waves in deep anchorages and had great success with a Rocna. My believe is the anchor is the devise that holds the boat and the hardware with it is to help the anchors function as designed. On these smaller boats 10lbs more anchor is going to do a lot more than 10 pounds more chain. My opinion.