One thing I've done is paint my line with a small stripe around it every 10 feet, going one stripe=10feet, two stripes=20 feet, and so on, using a different color stripe for 50 feet, then that color stripe with one original stripe color = 60 feet, and on from there. This really helps to know exactly how much line I have out to make sure I have enough or not overkill.
One sunny day while trolling (fishing) off Miami Beach I saw a small boat put up a smoke signal. I took a look with my binoculars and did not see any activity that related to fire or bailing out water, aka sinking, so I slowly continued trolling my lines as I headed towards them. When I got with in ear's shot the man (there was a man, woman and kid onboard) said his engine died. I noticed he was adrift, so I said why don't you anchor. The answer was "my anchor does not reach bottom", there was 22 feet of water under his vessel. I asked if he had a radio, "no" he said. Then I asked if he wanted me to call, sea tow. He asked how much that would be? So I asked the same question again and he got the message. I notified sea tow of his location and the fact that he was adrift and kept fishing, occasionally glassing over in his direction till I saw sea tow heading for him. The moral of the story is. When you get on a boat, you are handing over your life to the person running the boat. Be very aware of that, because you don't want to hand your life over to a fool.
Greetings from the west coast of Scotland, at least they lived to tell the tale, a lot of people think that when they purchase a boat thats it and maybe skimp on the rest ie, life jackets, vhf radio, anchors, plenty of rope etc, you just cannot leave anything to chance out on the water.
When I bought my first boat I bought a Danforth anchor, with just a rope, rated more than big enough for my boat. It wouldn't hold. A few years I found out it needed a chain. Now it holds.
While I try to abide by the scope rules, in a busy anchorage you'd swing into everyone if you followed that. 2:1 or 3:1 seems the rule for swim holes and busy spots.
Over kill. You don't need that much. The Rule is DON'T ANCHOR YOUR BOAT FALL ASLEEP THE TIDE COMES IS AND SWAMPS YOUR BOAT. THE SAFETY OF IT IS TO NOT DROWN YOUR BOAT.
If it’s calm you could slide by with 250 or 300. Id go for a 25LB river anchor (assuming ur fishing off a sub 25 foot boat) so you don’t have to worry about getting it to bite, and get a few feet of chain. having 300,400, or 500 feet of rope would be a pain in the ass to pull by hand with a fair amount of chain and a hefty anchor tho
I have a small fishing boat with a mushroom anchor.. I tried anchoring it yesterday and the boat kept drifting in the current... now i see a big problem was i only let out enough rope to touch the bottom, definitely not 5:1 ratio... so now I am wondering, will rope work or should i try to put chain on the end ... thank you sir
What l did not like about this video, you talk about 5 to 1 ratio, but you did not show it. You had 15ft of water , but you never showed us letting out at least 80ft, is that because you would swing into the islands either side??. Hmm. Misleading.
I've been boating for a long time and have never been able to anchor properly. Very well presented! I'm subscribing right now. Please do a 2nd anchor video as I've always lived in places where it's always breezy 10-20 mph and always seem to get blown off anchor point. I probably need more anchor line. Thanks!
100~120ft of rope for a 20ft depth of anchor, Jesus, is your boat a part time tug boat for that much rope? All ya need is 3 to 1 ratio at MAX and call it a day
My friend Gator who has been a lifetime boater taught me the "Cleatus" method if your anchor is stuck on the bottom. Just turn the boat 180 deg from where you were, tie the anchor line on the bow cleat and give the throttle a quick reverse, bingo, anchor is loose. Works every time.
I have that style of anchor for my Boston Whaler Montauk 170. The 8 pound model with 15’ of chain from West Marine. It works well but that 15’ feet of chain is h-e-a-v-y. Ugh. I need to experiment with getting it out and back into the boat without rubbing on the bumper. Any advice?
Just love ALL your content. Is there a rule for how much chain to add to the rode? Been watching the used section on the website for a second year now for a bigger boat (maybe make the trip from Toronto one day) and wondering what model Chapparal is that? (Beautiful boat). 🇨🇦
Question please: Where the chain connects to the anchor; can I use a carabiner instead of the u-bolt type shown on the chain in this video? Advise from anyone would be appreciated? Thank you for your time.
Hey Sean, I've been watching your videos to learn more about boats and help me decide what I eventually wanna purchase. I do have a PWC, have you considered making video tips on that? Gorgeous boat by the way
Another great, helpful video! During times when an aft anchor is also “needed”, is a simple mushroom type the one to use? I will be making some longer trips on the ICW and can foresee needing to anchor outside the channel when marinas aren’t nearby.
