best anchor for freedom 192

[tee crenshaw]

What is the best anchor for my 2012 Freedom 192?
The forward anchor locker limits the stock width size to 21" or less wide. I have a fluke anchor with a chain and 100' rope combo and have a difficult time setting this anchor. I have been boating for 40 plus years and this is boat 7 for me, so I know a bit about anchoring and understand scope. The stock of my current anchor is 18" so I do have room for something wider and my current anchor's weight is unknown. thanks!

 

[seasick]

What type of sea floor do you need to anchor in? What are you typical depths when anchoring.
How much chain is rigged? You can't have too much chain but you can have too little For your hull a general size estimate would be about 4Kg.
Your current ancho should have its weight stamped somewhere. It may be in kilograms or pounds
If you can't find the weigh, weigh the anchor

 

[DennisG01]

There's nothing special about your boat/hull that would make it harder/easier to set an anchor than other hulls. It's a normal, planing-style hull. Weights of an anchor are not the only factor - some lightweight anchors can set extremely well.

You mentioned you're familiar with scope... what depth are you in and how much scope are you using? With fluke style anchors, the number one reason they don't set is not having enough scope. The second reason is trying to use a fluke in conditions (sea floor) it wasn't meant for.

Which brings up the main question... what is the sea floor that you're trying to anchor in?

All that said... 18" sounds a little narrower, but then the boat isn't that big, either. If you've been anchoring for as long as you say, you should have a better feel for what you have and what you need?

If the sea floor is compatible with your fluke... and you're using the proper scope... then your answer is to either keep using that anchor and use more scope (or add chain... you didn't mention how much) or to get a bigger anchor.

 

[Evan B]

My 192 came to me with a Danforth style anchor. It is quite light, 8-10#’s? I’ll have to see if it’s stamped
They do work very well in soft bottoms.

Biggest issue I have had is due to simply a lack of chain. I’ve maybe 5’ of light, rubber coated chain. I am going to replace it with at least 10’ of heavier chain.

 

[Halfhitch]

If youre serious about anchoring, get rid of the rubber coated chain. It increases the buoyancy of the chain, hence its effectiveness is lessened.

One option for the smaller Gradys is to cut out the mouth of the anchor locker under the hatch so you can put a larger plow type or claw type anchor in the locker. I always had quite a lot of rode in my Gradys and getting enough room to let the stock of the anchor to hand down in the locker and snap into the clips was a pain in the butt.

 

[Evan B]

Went and checked this AM. 8# fluke/danforth anchor and maybe 2 1/2’ of skimpy chain.

The anchor is GTG. Definitely need more chain!

 

[DennisG01]

Went and checked this AM. 8# fluke/danforth anchor and maybe 2 1/2’ of skimpy chain.

The anchor is GTG. Definitely need more chain!

You may not have read what I wrote above... weight of an anchor does not necessarily determine it's holding power. It's only a 19' boat - you don't need much.

 

[Evan B]

Anchor is fine. 2ish feet of crappy chain is not. I’ll put more chain on it and I’ve no doubt it’ll be gtg. Thx.

 

[DennisG01]

Anchor is fine. 2ish feet of crappy chain is not. I’ll put more chain on it and I’ve no doubt it’ll be gtg. Thx.

I agree!

A workaround for the chain is to just let out more line. When you're hauling an anchor in by hand, it just gets cumbersome trying to not to scratch the boat with the chain as it gets longer. All good, though!

 

[seasick]

If the rope portion of your rigging tends to float, letting out more line may not help and could hurt as the extra floatation of the rope can tend to lift up the chain section resulting in the fluke tips not contacting the bottom at the desired angle (or not contacting at all). That said, it is more likely that not enough line was let out prior to trying to set the anchor. Note your depth and let out at least 3 and probably five times as much rode you can back up slowly until the appropriate length of line is out. Just don't drag the anchor Then back up to set the anchor.
Yes more chain is recommended but setting the anchor without it is possible just a tad more challenging

 

[trapper]

Do not know about "best" anchor , but have had the Fortress anchor for years and find it works well and is easy to retrieve, its light weight makes it easy to handle by hand.

 

[JeffN]

Do not know about "best" anchor , but have had the Fortress anchor for years and find it works well and is easy to retrieve, its light weight makes it easy to handle by hand.

This - I anchor mostly in sand bootom and the fortress 7 works well. Sets well and holds well. YMMV