Proper anchor

[Trimix]

I need to get a proper anchor for my new boat - 8.5m. There does seem to be a lot of choice, can you help narrow it down for me.

(The one it came with is a bit pathetic)

I will be using it in the Med - rocky / sandy. No weed / kelp or mud.

It needs to hold the boat while Im off diving and Im not too concerned about weight. But it does need to fit im my anchor locker - the hatch size at least is the only restriction there.

For starters, what should it weigh ?

I will also attach a decent amount of chain to it and a swivel connection.

There seem to be cheap ones and some so expensive they must be gold plated.

Some seem to try to sell themselves based on being light, which seems to be counter to the point of an anchor ? Im not a light weight and dont mind a heavy one. But how heavy is heavy ?

[Pikey Dave]

I've got a 7kg CQR with about 7m of 10mm chain & 50m of 12mm anchor plait , the chain is well oversize, but I had it to hand. Chain & "scope" is more important that the actual anchor( as long as its not a folding grapnel type) IMHO , people get hung up on this or that anchor, but it's the chain that does most of the work unless you're in extreme conditions or you haven't enough rope out. A 10kg anchor should do you nicely. Stick 8m of 8mm chain on it & you ain't going anywhere.

[Trimix]

OK, thats what I was thinking - 10kg anchor and decent length of chain. I just need to make sure it will fit in the locker hatch.

Cheers

[Black]

When I specced the anchor for my last boat (17ft Orkney) they laughed at me when I bought a 7.5kg CQR and 10 metres of 10mm chain with 50 metres of rope.

That thing never ever let me down, in St Mawes last year, blowing a 6-7 we had a foul prop when trying to pick up a mooring, we were drifting back to the rocks. Chucked the anchor and chain with some rope over, and stopped immediately.

You can't get better than knowing you can rely on 'the hook'

Good luck - great looking boat by the way

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I've got a 7kg CQR with about 7m of 10mm chain & 50m of 12mm anchor plait , the chain is well oversize, but I had it to hand. Chain & "scope" is more important that the actual anchor( as long as its not a folding grapnel type) IMHO , people get hung up on this or that anchor, but it's the chain that does most of the work unless you're in extreme conditions or you haven't enough rope out. A 10kg anchor should do you nicely. Stick 8m of 8mm chain on it & you ain't going anywhere.

Completely agree regarding the chain doing the majority of the work - provided of course it's laying on the seabed, not tight to the boat at 45 degrees!

[Festinghouse]

all of the above is true, all anchors have people who love em and people who hate them. go with either a bruce or plough (cqr) - old designs now, but i look at it that they are proven to work most of the time. im quite sure that the most expensive modern anchor available will refuse to set at some point. chain and scope are the key, and very often under valued.

[Trimix]

Well Ive now measured the anchor locker hatch, so Im sorted for size. Just need to buy one now and get some chain.

There dosent seem to be anywhere to attach the rope to in the locker though. I might have to look harder, or fix something in there otherwise the first time I anchor up will be the end of my anchor, chain and rope

I know I will tie it off on the tow eye on the front (whatever its called) but Id still like to ensure the end is attached to the boat come what may.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Trimix

I know I will tie it off on the tow eye on the front (whatever its called) but Id still like to ensure the end is attached to the boat come what may.

Either that or fasten a small Bouy on the bitter end, so if you do throw the lot in you can at least recover it !!

[Festinghouse]

search for a seller on ebay called uk-yacht-rigging-supplies, i cant recommend them enough. they sell anchor rope ready spliced to chain etc. if its not listed then ask them. fast delivery too. ive used them countless times and never let me down yet, good quality gear too.

[C2 RIBS]

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mgn_280-2.pdf scroll down to page 87- shows MCA required sizes for boat sizes

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

search for a seller on ebay called uk-yacht-rigging-supplies, i cant recommend them enough. they sell anchor rope ready spliced to chain etc. if its not listed then ask them. fast delivery too. ive used them countless times and never let me down yet, good quality gear too.

Agree great service, used them many times for all boats

[Chris Caton]

i know it aint chain, but ive used it for the last 2 seasons, does a great job and saves dragging chain over the tubes, especially WHITE tubes

Liros Leaded Rope Anchor Line - 40m x 14mm - Only £159.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

[Nick Hearne]

I do like and use the Bruce type recon you would get away with a 7.5kg where hold in sand or mud is amazing

[Ribtecer]

Originally Posted by Trimix

There dosent seem to be anywhere to attach the rope to in the locker though. I might have to look harder, or fix something in there otherwise the first time I anchor up will be the end of my anchor, chain and rope .

I remember watching a TV programme about big ships and the rigger said you don't tie the anchor to the boat, you tie the boat to the anchor!!!

Only a play on words, but with great meaning....

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

I do like and use the Bruce type recon you would get away with a 7.5kg where hold in sand or mud is amazing

+1, held my old boat in some daft currents and swells.

I have a 1kg one for my 4m...it's so cute!

[GJ0KYZ]

I use a 7.5kg CQR with 20m of 8mm chain and 2x50m lengths or 12mm rope. This combination is sufficient to hold my boat at MSM during full flood.

[sib]

Manson supreme. Awesome. reversible pull.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by PeterM

+1, held my old boat in some daft currents and swells.

I have a 1kg one for my 4m...it's so cute!

Yep I have a little 1kg one I have had my SR4 on it and 2 Boston whalers too should have seen their faces when I pulled up the hook

[Trimix]

Well Ive been doing a bit of research and come up with some ideas.

I was thinking that the RIB is 9m, so Id go for a 14kg anchor. With 8mm chain spliced to the rope.

Say I anchor in 20m max depth at a ratio of 1:5, then I need 20m of chain and 80 rope. Given Im diving in the Med, steady weather, no tides and ony when the weather is good, that should do me fine.

8mm chain is 30kg for 20m, I think.

It may be overkill, but I dont want to come back from a dive and find the boat has gone.

Have I got the sums right ?

[Festinghouse]

your boat certainly wont move with all that, but unless you have a windlass on board you will end up with arms like popeye after pulling up all that weight!