Missing from the boat when I bought it - used.
I'm in S Florida so most of the time would be sandy intercoastal? Sounds like I need to research what type if anchor would work best. Also sounds like I'll need 100' of rope? So much to learn.
Looking into the fortress and the Mantus:
https://www.amazon.com/Fortress-Guardian-G-11-6lb-Anchor/dp/B00JGX3JLY/ref=asc_df_B00JGX3JLY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312035432333&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15819541232599054826&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052784&hvtargid=pla-571142577737&psc=1
Think I understand how to set the anchor but a little clueless on how I pull it up. Gotta find some time to watch youttube - anchoring videos. And what is the four foot chain for?
Great tips, thank you. Makes sense. Much appreciated.
Theres a ton of posts here on this site about anchors and anchoring, and as with many subjects there are a lot of different opinions and successes talked about herein.
You asked about the chain, the chain does two things, on a Danforth / Fluke type of anchor, and I suppose other types as well, the chain keeps the shank
Parallel with the bottom so the flukes will not only dig in, the chains’ weight also keeps the shank parallel with the bottom when the anchor is under load holding your boat so it will not pull up and cause the anchor to pull free of the bottom. Another thing the chain does is to keep your rode (anchor rope) from rubbing on the bottom.
How much chain do you need? This is another area of debate, there are however some rules of thumb, myself I went with one foot of chain for every one foot of boat, so I have 21’ of 5/16” stainless steel chain. One thing for certain, get stainless chain. If you go to say West Marine‘s web site there are tables that show what size anchor you need for a given boat size, as well as the length and size of chain.
How much and size of rode do you meed? Again there are charts for this, I have 250’ of 3/8” yacht braid. But the most important part of keeping an anchor from slipping is the scope or the amount of rode you have out. If it’s calm a 3:1 ratio will probably work, so three feet of rode out for every foot of water depth. If there is wind, current, waves or a combination thereof the ratio goes to 7:1 to keep it from slipping.
Anchor attachments to the rode. Most folks use a clevis, mine is 3/8” and is stainless steel, any clevis worth a hoot will have a small hole in it so you can safety wire the pin after you have tightened it to keep the pin from falling out. On my anchor I also installed a swivel, the swivel is attached to the shank of the anchor, the chain is attached to the swivel and the clevis attaches the chain to the rode.
Keep in mind that ground tackle, which is the whole of your anchor set up, is not just a convenience tool, as
@HangOutdoors stated it is a safety item, and could mean the difference between staying put until assistance arrives or ending up on the rocks.
I keep all of my ground tackle, 9# fluke anchor with a slip ring, 21’ of stainless steel chain and 250’ (really wish I would have got 300’) of rode in my anchor locker and I still have room for two fenders, two drift / drogue anchors and all of my dock lines. I do have a stern anchor, a 5# fluke with slip ring, 6’ of 3/16” chain and 100’ of rode, I keep it in a gunny sack and when I take it with me it lives in one of my stern storage compartments. I really need a second one to do a proper Med tie, which is where you anchor the bow facing away from shore and a stern anchor off each rear corner at a 45° angle.
This is the style fluke anchor I have. This design allows you to free it in the event it gets stuck either in the mud / sand or under a rock or tree. You simply get on the upwind side of how you set it originally and pull on it, the ring slides up the shank and now you’re pulling it straight back. I had to trim the stack length a little bit with a hack saw to get it to fit in the anchor holder, easey peasey.
My Dad used a fluke anchor with great success when I was a kid and we were on Sandy / mud bottom lakes in some very windy and wavy conditions, and just as
@Babin Farms said, if the anchor isn’t holding let out more rode..that’s why it’s important to have a lot more rode than you think you think you might need.
