Thread: Anchor Woes
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Old 07-23-2015, 01:19 PM   #12
Dave R
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Unless you have a windlass, plain old proof coil galvanized chain is all you need. More is better, but comes with the price of more weight to carry. I use 15 feet of 1/4" HT (I need HT to work with my windlass) on my 25' boat with a 22 lb Delta anchor. Once set, it never drags and I usually use 4:1 to 7:1 scope.

With a 22 foot boat, I'd use at least 10 feet of 3/16" chain and at least 3/8" diameter three-strand nylon with a 10 to 15 lb anchor. 20 feet of chain will let you get away with MUCH less scope. So will bigger chain. When setting the anchor, let out at least 7:1 scope, set it with the boat's engine in reverse and make sure the engine can't drag the anchor. After that, you can likely reduce the scope to 4:1 or 5:1 unless it's really windy.

I like to get the bow anchor set with extra scope, then toss (kedge) the stern anchor as far as I can, and reduce the bow anchor scope to tighten and set the stern anchor. My stern anchor is a little 4.4 lb Bruce claw with 4 feet of 3/16" chain and 5/16" nylon three-strand. It sets easily in sand and varaible bottoms, but there are days when it is inadequate even with 12:1 scope. I am limited by my preferred storage spot for it so if it's really windy, I pick an anchorage that does not require a stern anchor.
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