Anchor line

[sailor55330]

How much anchor rope are you carrying on board? I have about 75ft and I am finding it’s not enough on my current lake. Where I’ve tried to anchor it shoals up super quick. To anchor in 15 ft of water, it might drop off to 30 or 40 ft in 2 boat lengths. At 3:1, that means I’m putting out over 120ft

Just curious

[bruceb58]

250' 1/2" double braided

Also...20' of 1/4" chain with a Fortress anchor

[stifflkd]

3:1 is a bare minimum on chain. I would think you would need twice that on rope.

[jhnmdahl]

I'm a midwest lake boater, and have 6' of chain linked to about 100' of line (3/8 Samson Super Strong double braid). I don't expect to ever intentionally anchor someplace that isn't warm and shallow, such as to swim.

[bruceb58]

I am in a different situation. I boat on Lake Tahoe and we can get some pretty good winds. I want to be able to anchor in case I have a problem and I lose power. Of course there are areas of the lake that just 20' offshore, the water is over 400' deep so even my anchor isn't going to help me. That's also why I carry a handheld VHF radio. We have vessel assist as well as the Coast Guard on the lake.

Our typical anchoring is in 30 feet of water. I easily let out 100' plus chain if there is no wind and even more if there is wind.

[tomace13]

I am in a different situation. I boat on Lake Tahoe and we can get some pretty good winds. I want to be able to anchor in case I have a problem and I lose power. Of course there are areas of the lake that just 20' offshore, the water is over 400' deep so even my anchor isn't going to help me. That's also why I carry a handheld VHF radio. We have vessel assist as well as the Coast Guard on the lake.

Our typical anchoring is in 30 feet of water. I easily let out 100' plus chain if there is no wind and even more if there is wind.

That sounds like a workout. Box anchor with no chain and I run 2:1, 3:1 at most

[sailor55330]

That's kind of what I figured. I didn't start anchoring on this lake till late last year and then I learned.... My old lakes in MN were pretty flat on the bottom with the average depth around 30ft and areas that you anchor around 10, so I was fine.

For your double braid, where are you sourcing it? I picked some 5/8" double braid at Home Depot a couple of years ago, but not sure it's really holding up that well. Some will say that 5/8 is overkill, but it feels so much better on the hands as I don't have a windlass. I know I'm going to have to add a chain leader, but chain around my gelcoat makes me cringe.

[jhnmdahl]

I bought 150' of Samson double braid from Defender, but all I see now is sold by the foot:

https://defender.com/en_us/samson-super ... nylon-line

John

Edit: this place may have better pricing for the same line - https://www.fisheriessupply.com/samson- ... 2040006030

[bruceb58]

That's kind of what I figured. I didn't start anchoring on this lake till late last year and then I learned.... My old lakes in MN were pretty flat on the bottom with the average depth around 30ft and areas that you anchor around 10, so I was fine.

For your double braid, where are you sourcing it? I picked some 5/8" double braid at Home Depot a couple of years ago, but not sure it's really holding up that well. Some will say that 5/8 is overkill, but it feels so much better on the hands as I don't have a windlass. I know I'm going to have to add a chain leader, but chain around my gelcoat makes me cringe.

Been so long I can't remember but it was a good price. 1/2" is what I recommend. It is easier on your hands and doesn't use that much volume. I have no problem with 250' in my R5 anchor locker.

I bought it with a thimble but I actually lost an anchor once and had to put a new one on. That was a learning experience!

Way better having too much anchor line than not enough.

[xlint89]

I run 200' of 1/2" with 10' of chain.

They have the PVC/rubber coated chain, but only seems to come in 4' lengths.

[bruceb58]

Been reminded that I need to reveal the source of my anchor line.

Best price I have found is here:

https://e-rigging.com/products/double-b ... 5747877961

[kas232ca]

While we are talking about lines...

We are going to be towing our boat behind a houseboat this summer at Lake Powell. What kind of line should I use and how much?