new anchor

[freddy063]

I'm makeing a new anchor set up for this year, my old anchor set it to short fot the area I want to set at. Is 20 foot of chain a over kill, and can you pull 700' of line by hand? the area I want to set at is 400' on a drop off. I'm hopeing 700' for 400' will hold for fishing? maybe a float with ring will get it up? :shock:

 

[Tuna Man]

As you know you are supposed to have a 7:1 scope for anchoring in a storm. I doubt many recreational boaters have 2800' of anchor for a water depth of 400'. That being said I think you will need at least a 2:1 ratio for anchoring in calm water. I carry a total of 1500 feet when I head offshore to the canyons.

As far as retrieving the anchor, we use an anchor ball with the ring. It works pretty good for the most part. Lastly, from what I gather the more chain the better - so 20 feet is probably fine.

 

[gradyfish22]

I agree with tuna man, anchor ball is the only way I'd do it. Coiling that much line is job enough....pulling the anchor from those depths yourself and coiling it would be nuts. I'd carry the line in a small plastic round bin, and have quick snaps at the ends of your anchor lengths for quick attachment or separation. More anchor line is good, I have not anchored on my boat in over 225ft of water, but I have 15ft of chain and a light anchor and anchored on a nasty 5-6ft stacked sloppy day. 20ft should be enough, also instead of increasing your anchor length, get heavier chain, that works just as well. You will need a 2:1 min and 3:1 ideally for most conditions to hold at anchor, anything less is asking for trouble. I'd carry 1200ft of line if it were my boat, 3 400' lengths. If you only need to sue 2, no need to attach the third, but if it is nasty, you can attach a third and be safe.