anchor line

[sikz3]

I haved decided to go with a self penatrating slip ring fluke anchor for my 16' 4" seaswirl with 140 omc stern drive and was wondering if a 3/8" x 75' 3 strand twisted anchor line would do? Also if I wanted to shorten that up how could I do that? Maybe shrink tube before I cut to prevent unraveling?

 

[MRS]

Re: anchor line

If it is a poly type rope just use a lither or a match and melt it to seal it. But if you are in 50ft or less water you will be fine.

 

[Boatist]

Re: anchor line

I have a 21 foot boat with an OMC 140 Stringer and use 350 feet of 5/16 inch line. I have to disagree that with 75 feet of line you can anchor in 50 feet of water. Normal scope is 7 to 1. So to anchor in 48 feet of water takes 350 feet. You can get buy with 3 to 1 if very little wind or current or waves. If your going to try 3 to 1 then you should add a good length of chain. When condition get bad, Wind, Current, or waves then you need at least 5 to 1 and chain. Full storm then have to have 7 to 1 and 3/8 line would be good. At 7 to 1 in a storm could only anchor in 9 feet of water with 77 feet of line.

 

[sikz3]

Re: anchor line

It is a nylon rope. Also I will anchor at 6- 10' deep. Pretty much just off the lakeshore while camping. I would buy the 50'x 3/8" braided nylon, but it has a marine hook that it tied with a knot and the 75' twisted has a eye (or thimble) spliced into it. What do you think? Can your anchor line be too long? Should I get the 50' or 75' and cut it? Also the 50' has a working load of 200 lbs. Is that enough?

 

[jch7450]

Re: anchor line

you can never have enough line, but 200 lbs on a 3/8 line< seems lite to me

 

[glasply1]

Re: anchor line

Adding some chain will increase the holding power and reduce chafing of the line.

 

[glasply1]

Re: anchor line

Now I see how shallow a spot you will be anchoring in. Chain isn't necessary, but won't hurt.

 

[jch7450]

Re: anchor line

yep chain will help stop line chafing too

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: anchor line

75' will be fine for anchoring off a campsite. But not for anything else.

 

[Boatist]

Re: anchor line

I would get at least 150 feet of anchor line. <br />Remember anchor is an important saftey iteam should you ever have a motor failure.<br /><br />3/8 inch line is good for a heavy boat in the 21 to 24 foot range and 26 to 30 in light boat range.<br /><br />Breaking strength of a good 3/8 inch three strand nylon line is 4,400 pounds. I belive the working load is 50 percent of that or 2,200 pounds.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: anchor line

One other aspect to consider is the comfort of hauling the line. 3/8" is harder on your hands than 1/2" line. May not make a big difference with only 75 feet of line but if you had to haul 300 feet of line with an anchor on the end, 1/2" would be much kinder to your hands.

 

[jch7450]

Re: anchor line

Your so right MISCHIEF! Like pulling one out in rough weather when it's stuck in the mud. thin line will rip your hands up real fast!

 

[wvit100]

Re: anchor line

Anchoring depends a lot on where you are. I always boat in a lake that is for the most part without any current. The only thing I worry about is being pushed around by the wind. The deepest part of our lake is about 40'. I have 75' of anchor rope on board and have never had any problems. <br /><br />The problems that I see are that people try and anchor near other boats only using one line. As the wind changes direction they move around hitting first one boat and then another.<br /><br />I keep a mushroom anchor in the boat so that I can throw it off the back. While the main anchor holds position the small anchor off the back keeps the boat stable against the wind.