I recently took delivery on a brand spanking new 2014 208 Adventure. I could not be happier with my boat or the dealer. After my third trip alone onto lake Erie, I am a ltttle apprehensive concering the length of rode. I have Lewmar 550 Pro Sport windlass and medium bow roller with 150 feet of 1/2 feet of 3 strand nylon and 20 feet of 1/4 chain. My concern is that when anchored in the middle of the pack in 50-60 fow in a good wind, I don't feel secure (read safe). I was told that was the maximum length that would fit in the locker. My question is, do I need to live with this. I thank you in advance for any advise that you all would provide.
need advise on rode length
- Thread starter the gipper
- Start date
If I remember correctly you are supposed to use a seven to one ratio on anchor rode if conditions allow. In simple terms seventy feet in ten feet of water (actually from the bow cleat to the ground). In your recent situation, I would realistically want to use about 200 feet. I've also learned that the weight of the chain and the type of anchor play a big part in how well your ground tackle holds. I'm guessing your windlass requires 1/2 rode, in my opinion 1/2" rode for a 20' boat is total overkill. For reference, when I anchor near the canyons here in NJ with our thirty foot boat I use 3/8" rode (we bring 800').
Back to your question, I would suggest you look into 3/8" rode and see if it would work with your windlass. If so, I would think you could fit about 250' of 3/8" rode in your anchor locker.
Back to your question, I would suggest you look into 3/8" rode and see if it would work with your windlass. If so, I would think you could fit about 250' of 3/8" rode in your anchor locker.
Fishtales
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Tuna is right. 3:1 absolute minimum, but 7:1 recommended, especially in less than ideal conditions. Sounds like you have enough chain. Maybe ask around and see what anchor works best for your area in addition to the 3/8" line. Good luck.
Than you gentlemen. That confirms everything I've read or heard. My anchor is a Fortress rated for a 16-27 foot boat. It feels very light and constantly jams up on retrieve in the roller and requires me go to the bow and knock it loose before I can drop anchor again. Pretty much defeating the purpose of having a windlass doesn't it? I will definitely look into changing rode.
Thanks Tuna Man
I just heard from Lewmar. They do not manufacture any windlass' that will handle 3/8 line. I guess that's that!
I just heard from Lewmar. They do not manufacture any windlass' that will handle 3/8 line. I guess that's that!
I personally think you need more chain. 1.5 boat lengths should bare minimum. The added chain helps the anchor "set" faster and hold.
After that, carry as much rode as you can. 5:1 is not as good as 7:1 which is not as good as ___. You get the idea.
Also the type of anchor is important. In San Francisco Bay's soft muddy bottom (for me) the best anchor is an oversized Fortress (Danforth type). Other types I have used just shoveled and plowed through the soft mud while drifting downwind. I was told, your anchor size is right when it looks ridiculously large for your boat! Good luck and congratulations...
After that, carry as much rode as you can. 5:1 is not as good as 7:1 which is not as good as ___. You get the idea.
Also the type of anchor is important. In San Francisco Bay's soft muddy bottom (for me) the best anchor is an oversized Fortress (Danforth type). Other types I have used just shoveled and plowed through the soft mud while drifting downwind. I was told, your anchor size is right when it looks ridiculously large for your boat! Good luck and congratulations...
With bow 5-ft above the water, a 150-ft rode is good for a 7:1 scope in about 15-ft of water (at high tide). Pretty obvious why you aren't properly anchored in 50-60ft depths, as the 2:1 scope won't let the anchor lay down to dig in.
We have a 22# Delta anchor, with 30-ft of 1/4" chain and 600-ft of 1/2" 8-plait line. All works great with a Lewmar 700FF windlass.
The 600-ft of 8-plait will fit in our anchor locker, but I have 300-ft in the center compartment under the forward end of the V-berth, led into the anchor locker where the other 300-ft is nicely stacked. So I have 300-ft for ready use, but can feed the remaining 300-ft out if I am in really deep water and need to get anchored.
Brian
Master, Oceans, Steam, Motor or Sail, 1600-Tons
Chief Mate, Oceans, Unlimited
Senior Offshore Sailing Instructor, U.S. Navy
We have a 22# Delta anchor, with 30-ft of 1/4" chain and 600-ft of 1/2" 8-plait line. All works great with a Lewmar 700FF windlass.
The 600-ft of 8-plait will fit in our anchor locker, but I have 300-ft in the center compartment under the forward end of the V-berth, led into the anchor locker where the other 300-ft is nicely stacked. So I have 300-ft for ready use, but can feed the remaining 300-ft out if I am in really deep water and need to get anchored.
Brian
Master, Oceans, Steam, Motor or Sail, 1600-Tons
Chief Mate, Oceans, Unlimited
Senior Offshore Sailing Instructor, U.S. Navy